topic Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad? in Gear Guide

RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

Missytxo — Tue, 05 May 2026 17:11:40 GMT

Hi all,

I have recently bought my first canon camera. I already own a compact Panasonic LUMIX TZ99 but wanted something more.

I’ve read online how horrible the kit lens is and it’s really putting me off and I have no idea about lenses or anything so don’t want to buy the wrong one. I have been pushed into buying a 28mm or a 35mm or a 50mm and these are just numbers to me.

is the kit lens really that bad? I do intend to edit my pictures later.

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

kvbarkley — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:37:32 GMT

Nah. All Canon's kit lenses are good solid workhorses. But if you want an upgrade get the body only with the RF-S 18-150.

Ken Rockwell does not think the 18-45 is so bad:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/18-45mm.htm

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

Missytxo — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:45:34 GMT

Ordered it with the 18-45 lens, oh no. I just saw the other kit lens now.

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

kvbarkley — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:47:14 GMT

Don't worry. The 18-45 is a fine lens, and is smaller and lighter. It probably scales better to the R50 than the larger 18-150.

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

Missytxo — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:18:57 GMT

Is there a way I can understand how aperture, ISO, etc works?

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

kvbarkley — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:57:04 GMT

Canon has a lot of good articles under "Learning" on the Canon USA home page:

https://www.usa.canon.com/learning/training-articles/training-articles-list/10-photography-terms-every-new-photographer-needs-to-know

If you like books, Understanding Exposure by Peterson is very good.

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

johnrmoyer — Tue, 05 May 2026 21:20:58 GMT

@Missytxo wrote:

Is there a way I can understand how aperture, ISO, etc works?

I found https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm useful. Also, wikipedia is good: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture

Re: RF50 and Kit Lens - is it that bad?

SignifDigits — Wed, 06 May 2026 02:02:12 GMT

There are several free courses - most of them come with a pitch to sign up or ads. This one is no exception, but I like the way that Wolf Amri approaches the material - a bit non-traditional, but it's about time we stopped teaching only analog concepts for digital photography. And he simplifies and presents in a way that most people can relate to iMO. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7W5udALs-AnqGq2sWPbLvjvQbazXAp7Y . It's free and without obligation.

Great lenses and great cameras don't make great photographs. Great photographers make great photographs.

You can do amazing things with nearly any lens. Learn, have fun, and experience the thrill of knowing when you got a great shot.