01/05/2026 9:30 pm
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I am honestly so fed up with this kit lens that came with my R7. Trying to do street stuff downtown but it just looks so soft and boring and the aperture is a joke once the sun starts going down even a little bit. I spent all this money on a nice body and now i feel stuck with mediocre shots of people walking by.
I'm heading to Chicago next month and I really want something sharp and small that wont make me look like a total tourist with a giant setup. I have about 500 bucks to spend. Should I go with the 35mm or is that too tight with the crop sensor? Or maybe that tiny 28mm pancake thing? I just need something that actually feels good to shoot with...
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01/05/2026 9:55 pm
Been thinking about your Chicago trip. I spent a week there last year shooting the L trains and the Loop. You really gotta watch that 1.6x crop factor on the R7 because it turns everything into a telephoto pretty fast. If youre walking through narrow alleys or trying to get the architecture in with your street subjects, that 35mm is gonna feel way too cramped. I tried it and kept having to back into traffic just to frame a shot. Heres what I would look at for your budget:
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM - it acts like a 45mm on your sensor which is the sweet spot for street.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM - grab this too if you want that ultra-wide look for the skyscrapers. That 28mm pancake is basically invisible. People dont even realize you are taking photos. Plus, youll have money left over for extra batteries. Stay away from the 50mm for street work on this body, its just way too tight for the city.
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01/05/2026 9:55 pm
Saw this earlier but just now getting a chance to sit down. I've been shooting Canon for a long time and I've tried many different setups for city trips. Honestly, that kit lens is basically a paperweight once you taste what a fast prime can do... In my experience, the R7 really shines when you stop worrying about the zoom. For Chicago, you'll be dealing with tall buildings and crowded sidewalks. You gotta remember that 1.6x crop factor tho.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is probably your best bet. On your crop sensor, it works out to about 45mm. It's wide enough for architecture but tight enough for candid shots. Plus it's tiny.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is incredible for low light because of the f/1.8 and the stabilization. It's a 56mm equivalent tho, so it might feel a bit tight if you're really close to people.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is worth a look too if you want that ultra-wide, cinematic street look, especially for the L-train platforms. Before you buy, go over to the website The Digital Picture or check DPReview's sample galleries. Seeing the raw files really helps. If you're really worried about the crop, just set your kit lens to 28mm for a whole day and don't touch the zoom. It'll show you exactly how it feels. Personally, I'd go for that 28mm pancake. It makes the R7 actually pocketable... well, jacket pocketable... and the image quality is way better than it has any right to be for the price. It's definitely sharp enough for those Chicago street vibes.
