topic Re: Budget lens for r8 in EF & RF Lenses

EOS R8 Budget lens recommendations for indoor photos and videos

Mikechoate64 — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:46:03 GMT

Buying cannon r8 and will be doing a lot of indoor shooting of stills and video, I plan on getting a 24-70 2.8 in couple months but can't afford it until I pay off the camera so any recommendations on a budget friendly rf lens for indoor shooting

Re: Budget lens for r8

shadowsports — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:01:57 GMT

Greetings ,

Please let us know what's "affordable" to you and provide your budget. We're happy to make recommendations with that in mind.

Re: Budget lens for r8

Mikechoate64 — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:03:47 GMT

Under $700

Re: Budget lens for r8

Mikechoate64 — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:13:02 GMT

Thinking about the rf 35 1.8

Re: Budget lens for r8

justadude — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 22:01:19 GMT

I owned the RF 35mm F/1.8 for 4 years. I ended up trading it in because I didn't use it much... BUT it is only because that's not a great focal length for my needs. I usually grab a wider, or a longer lens, so the 35mm hardly ever did get used.

That being said, whenever I did use it, I thought it was a nice lens. It's sharp, it has some macro capabilities (1:2, not 1:1), and it's very nice with low light. The colors from this lens are excellent.

Now IF I was a photographer that shot things indoors, I would have used this lens often. I think it would be great for your indoor use of stills and videos. Personally, I'm an outdoor photographer, which is why it didn't suit my needs.

Re: Budget lens for r8

ebiggs1 — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:45:54 GMT

If you must have a prime then the rf 35mm f1.8 is a good choice. It is way better than a 50mm. 50mm is a difficult FL to live with. 35mm is too but less so. First timers fall for the hype put out all over the ole inner web about primes. However one basic reason for getting a prime is they tend to be faster lenses. This makes them more suitable for indoor or low light conditions. But when you are inside your house for instance you quickly find 50mm puts you too close to the subject and you can't back up further. 35mm helps but doesn not eliminate that.

If I were you I would not buy any lens until you get your 24-70mm f2.8. Live with it for a while. You can even put a piece of gaffers tape on it at 35mm and live with that for a while to see if it doesn what you want. In the additional low light help the prime will only get you a tad bit over one stop. Not a deal maker or deal breaker in the grand scheme of things.

Re: Budget lens for r8

March411 — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:25:43 GMT

Hey Mike, at that price point your choices are somewhat limited. If I remember correctly your first priority was pictures and video of your wife's band and other local bands, mostly indoor. Depending on the quality of light you may be able to get away with a lens @ f4 but personally I would try to pick up something @ f2.8 or faster and image stabilization. The R8 supports IBIS only during movie recording, it's off during still photo shooting. Having IS in the lens during stills for low shutter speeds and low light will be helpful. You don't mention the type of bands, are you talking about concert bands or sports/stadium bands?

These are the faster lenses with IS available in your budget

RF24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM - $450
The RF35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM - $450 US - like ebiggs mentions its a nice lens and with it being a macro it may appeal to you if you want to branch out to doing some macro photography.
RF85mm F2 Macro IS STM - $550 US this lens may be alright if you have distance between yourself and the band depending on the size. You mentioned college so if we are talking stadium bands it would be a stretch this lens would work.