topic Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics? in Gear Guide

EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

shotsbylayne — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:10:11 GMT

Rf 70-200mm f2.8

I am a highschool photographer with an r100 with the kit lenses and the rf 50mm f1.8. I need an upgrade for better nightime performace and speed. Should I get a new lens or new body, if so what lenses or body.

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:42:45 GMT

Almost evey time that question comes up a better lens is the simple answer. 9 times out of 10 lenses are where it’s at. However you have a super fast lens and almost nothing is going to be better for “nighttime performance”. So, the question becomes what else is it not doing that you want it to? Is focal length the problem? Do you need a zoom? What?

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:46:08 GMT

Assuming it is not the lens, you need to ask the same questions. What is the R100 not doing that you need. High ISO a problem? Videos? High speed shooting ability? Again, what?

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

shotsbylayne — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:24:17 GMT

It shoots really slow is the main problem and the lens would probably be the best option so my images and videos are brighter

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

shadowsports — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:18:32 GMT

Greetings,

It shoots really slow? Help us by answering Ernie's questions please. The kit lens isn't going to do well in low light. The 50 will do much better but at a awkward focal length. Field of view equivalent of 80 mm.

I use a RF 70-200 f2.8 frequently in low light and enjoy it's performance, but the Digic X processor in my primary body is also a bit more advanced than the Digic8 in your R100. It's native ISO is capped at 12,800. This is the range the chip is able to provide best performance. The extended ISO will start introducing more noise and honestly 12,800 won't look so hot either depending on shooting conditions. If you shoot RAW I believe you are capped at 6 fps, and if lighting is poor the camera might slow way down if it cannot acquire good focus.

What are you shooting primarily? Please elaborate and provide as much detail as possible. 🙂

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

deebatman316 — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:12:56 GMT

Actually when the camera is set to Servo AF your fps is 3-4 FPS. The EOS R100 is NOT able to carry out AF and aperture control at the same time. Instead the lens will AF and stop down sequentially. This is a limitation of the camera body and NOT the lens. This is a similar limitation that Arc Form Drive lenses have too. This AF motor was discontinued in 1990 and replaced by Micro Motor which solved this problem. Existing lenses which used AFD would remain in production until discontinued.

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

shotsbylayne — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:18:05 GMT

I am shooting primarily football and doing some video mostly all at nighttime. I really only use the 50mm during warmups when it is still bright out

Re: EOS R100 & RF50mm: Upgrade body or lens for better nighttime pics?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:12:38 GMT

Well this brings up a whole different set of questions. Number 1 is what IQ level do you seek? There is no doubt you can take photos with what you have so l will assume you are not satisfied with that level. If that’s correct you do need to up the camera and lens. You basically have a beginner’s outfit and are wanting professional results. You’re a smart guy (since you are a photographer) so I bet you already knew that. Now the question becomes what can you afford? Always keep in mind the camera and lens you have is always better than the ones you wish you had.