topic Travel Lens for R50 in Gear Guide

Travel Lens for R50

Sparkle824 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:00:10 GMT

I recently purchased a R50 camera for a trip to Disney world. I am looking for a compact yet efficient travel lens that does not require an adapter. Since I am new to this I don’t know how to choose the best lens. I am looking at the these:

RF 28mm F2.8 STM
RF 16mm F2.8 STM
RF 50mm F1.8 STM

Re: Travel Lens for R50

shadowsports — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:02:02 GMT

Greetings,

I would advise against a prime (fixed focal length) lens. What kind of budget do you have to work with?

Something like the

RF-S18-150

Would be a better choice.

Re: Travel Lens for R50

Sparkle824 — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:15:28 GMT

Hey Rick,

I’m not concerned about the price but more of a compact lens. So that my bag would not be as bulky.

Re: Travel Lens for R50

deebatman316 — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:30:09 GMT

I wouldn’t recommend a beginner a prime lens. It’s also more limiting than a zoom lens. Also some prime lenses such as the RF 50mm F/1.8 STM are going to be difficult to use. Since the angle of view is narrower. That lens would behave like an 80mm lens when compared to Full Frame. I highly recommend that you take @shadowsports suggestion.

Re: Travel Lens for R50

kvbarkley — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:00:18 GMT

Sorry if it is bulky, but the best travel lens is the 18-150.

Disney World is a *widely* varied environment for photography. You will need everything from wide angle to telephoto which the RF-S excels at.

From a small selection of images I have here I run from

18mm: (APS frame)

to 107mm (APS frame):

I have never regretted having my EF-S 18-135 as my walking around lens.

Re: Travel Lens for R50

March411 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:15:40 GMT

Depending on when you are going to take your trip another option to consider is the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary ($700). It is expected to be available beginning April 17. Some will say it's zoom range (super zoom) makes this lens "trash". I currently own the Sigma EF 18-300mm which has been a great travel lens and has taken some beautiful images. I will most likely trade the EF18-300mm in and purchase the new RF16-300mm specifically for my R50. At $700 this lens has received some good reviews from the people that tested it. Most say while it cannot be compared to a professional lens the sharpness for a "budget" lens is very good. A great all day carry that will produce very good images. Hands-on Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 | C

Here are some images from the EF18-300mm, it was mounted on my M50 prior to purchasing the R50.

While some do not like super zooms it's difficult to argue with optical performance like this....

Re: Travel Lens for R50

ebiggs1 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:41:27 GMT

"Sorry if it is bulky, but the best travel lens is the 18-150."

I have to agree with all the above. Compromises have to be made and you must decide what is the most important.

I will reaffirm that a prime, all the ones you list, are not good especially for a new person. Don't buy any of them first unless size is more important that versatility and best images. Did you not get the kit lens with your new R50? The RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens is about the best all around, size included, that Canon has for the R50. That's why it is the included lens with the R50.

All photographic gear has limits to what can be done. There is always trade offs. There is always your iphone which will be the smallest camera you can take but if you want much better images you will have to realize size is going to be a factor.

Re: Travel Lens for R50

kvbarkley — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:43:50 GMT

At least my images are really from Disney World!

Re: Travel Lens for R50

March411 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:26:33 GMT

LOL....yes they are, I've never been so I'm at a loss.