Looking for the best prime lens for a Canon EOS R8.

Question

Should I grab the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 or the 50mm f1.8 for my R8, or is the 85mm actually the better play for a first prime?

I just picked up the R8 body a few weeks ago and im loving the full frame sensor but the kit lens is honestly kinda boring for what I want to do. Im mostly doing street photography and some portraits of my kids while we travel. We are heading to Japan next month so I need to decide fast since I want to get used to the lens before the trip and I dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while we are walking around.

I am torn between the 35mm because of the macro capability and the wider view for tight streets in Tokyo but the 50mm is so cheap and light which is great for walking all day. Then there is the 85mm f2 which I’ve heard is amazing for portraits but I am worried it might be too tight for everyday stuff. My budget is capped at like $500 or $600 max because the camera already set me back a bit and I need to save some cash for the actual vacation. I really want something that doesnt make the R8 feel front-heavy since it is such a small and light body. Which one would you guys pick if you could only take one for a month long trip?

melody.hunt · Accepted Answer

Building on the earlier suggestion, I'd actually be pretty cautious about just grabbing the 50mm because of the price tag. I took a light setup to Kyoto last year and realized the hard way that the R8 lacking in-body stabilization is a real dealbreaker for some lenses.

Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM: Super light, but no IS means you'll probably get blurry shots once the sun goes down in Shinjuku.

Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM: It's a bit chunkier, but the built-in stabilization is basically mandatory for the R8 if you aren't carrying a tripod.

Canon RF 28mm f2.8 STM: If you want the smallest setup possible, this pancake is tiny, tho it also lacks IS. Honestly, I would suggest sticking with the 35mm. The 85mm is great but youll find yourself backing into traffic just to get a decent street shot. Just make sure to test the weight first... it can feel a bit front-heavy on such a tiny body like the R8, but the optics are worth it.

wallstreetwarrior · Answer

I analyzed the lab data and unfortunately the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM was a letdown. On an R8 without IBIS, anything under 1/100s was hit-or-miss for me. The Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM is the only technical choice for Japan because of the 5-stop hybrid IS, even if the focus breathing and vignetting are worse than I expected for 500 dollars.

Rebecca · Answer

For a trip to Japan on an R8, the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM is the best balanced option. The 85mm is great for portraits but it is way too tight for street photography in crowded spots like Tokyo. You kinda want that wider field of view for street scenes and indoor shots. The 35mm is light enough that it wont make the R8 feel front-heavy, plus the image stabilization is a big help for handheld shots at night. If you need to save money, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is the cheapest way to get a fast prime, but you lose the stabilization and macro features. The 35mm is a way more versatile tool for a one-lens setup. It fits your $600 budget easily, especially if you look for a refurbished copy to save cash for your vacation.