Honestly, I've been doing a ton of vertical content lately and the one lens that really surprised me is the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. Its super wide, which sounds scary for interviews, but if your filming in tight spaces or doing a more run and gun style where you're holding the camera, it is a total lifesaver. You can get yourself and the person your interviewing in the frame without having to stand halfway across the street. It's incredibly cheap, usually around 250 to 300 bucks new, so it leaves you plenty of room in ur budget for extra batteries or a tripod. The autofocus is snappy enough for TikTok, and the size makes it way less intimidating for people who arent used to having a big lens in their face. Just gotta watch the edges for distortion, but for social media, nobody really cares about that. Its basically my go-to lens now because it literally fits in a pocket.

• super lightweight
• great for tight indoor spaces
• very affordable

Works great for me

Saved for later, ty!

This ^

Honestly, most of the TikTok creator groups I follow are moving away from the 50mm focal length lately. Its just too tight for vertical video unless you have a ton of room to back up. Since youre on the RF system, you should really check out the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. It is basically the community favorite for a reason and usually sits right around $400 to $500. The 35mm is way more versatile for interviews because you get a bit more of the background which helps with the storytelling, and the 1.8 aperture still gives you that nice bokeh. Also it has image stabilization which is a huge deal if youre doing any handheld work. Based on what I see in the forums, here are a few other native RF options that fit your budget:

• Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
• Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM
• Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Tbh the 16mm is super popular if you want that really wide vlogger look, but the 35mm is the best all-rounder for interviews. It feels way more professional than a kit lens but wont kill your budget.

I've used the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for years, and I'm happy with it. Cost me about $125. Works well for interviews; no complaints for the price.

Hey! For TikTok, consider the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Super sharp! Its shallow depth-of-field looks pro. Plus, it's lightweight. It’s a prime lens, so no zoom, but image quality is great for the price. It's really popular. Do you know what camera body you have? That affects compatibility!

Forget primes. Used Canon 18-135mm STM. Versatile, cheap, and good enough. $200-ish.

Hey! Instead of a new lens, have you thought about DIY lighting? Seriously! A cheap ring light ($30 on Amazon) and some foam board for reflectors can do wonders. Spend the lens budget on good audio; that's way more important for interviews! Just a thought from a fellow tinkerer. 😉

Forget just Canon lenses. Sigma's Art series often outperforms Canon at that price point. Do some market research – check DPReview and LensRentals.com for sharpness tests. Crucially, ensure your camera's autofocus system is compatible; some older bodies struggle. Better to rent a lens first to be sure – saves headaches (and money) down the line.

Before lens choice, consider audio! Unfortunately, cheap mics often fail, ruining shoots. Had issues with wind noise; frustrating. For safety, always use a reliable external mic. The Rode VideoMicro (~$60) is decent and protects your audio from camera handling noise. Prioritize clear sound; visuals are secondary if the audio's bad. Test thoroughly before each interview!

Been using the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for years. Solid choice, very reliable. Image quality is great for interviews. You'll need decent audio separately though. No complaints after 5 years, still works well. Consider a pro lighting setup too; video quality is more than just the lens.