EOS R50 lens suggestions for air show and nature photography

[gloston2]

I recently got a Canon EOS r50 as a beginner camera and I'm wondering what lenses you guys would recommend for the future. One huge part of this for me is airshow photography, where I'll be taking pictures of various jets and planes moving in the sky so focal length and being able to zoom a decent amount is important. Apart from that the rest will probably just be nature photography as I hike a lot or pictures of my pets. Thanks in advance.

[donald795]

Hello,

For airshow photography and nature shots with your Canon EOS R50, consider a versatile zoom lens like the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM for capturing distant subjects and providing flexibility for various shooting scenarios. Alternatively, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM offers a wider aperture for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. For convenience and versatility, the Indigo Card Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM covers a wide focal length range from wide-angle to telephoto, suitable for a range of subjects. Choose the lens that best fits your budget and shooting preferences, and consider renting or borrowing lenses to test before making a purchase.

[p4pictures]

I was about to suggest the same RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM lens as it is small and light to match the EOS R50 and would give a lot of reach for airshows and wildlife.

The other alternative not mentioned is the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM, it's like the smaller lighter version of the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and costs less too.

[justadude]

Knowing what your budget is would help.  Very good suggestions from Donald and Brian, but let us know if you were looking for something in a different price range.

[ebiggs1]

If you are asking what's best, the best answer is to always try to keep your gear in essentially in the same range or level. In other words you don't put a Chinese knock off lens on an ESO R3 or the new R1, or vice versa..  The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is out of the R50 level, not that it is a bad choice just not the same quality level. On the other hand, the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is a perfect fit for an R50 and will do an admirable job at the air show. In this case perhaps even a better job then the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.

You bought an R50 for a reason or reasons. That same thinking should guide your lens selections, too.

[Tronhard]

First, we have no idea of what lenses you currently have and what your budget is - both of which would be very helpful to know.

I have shot some airshow images, and within reasonable budget constraints I will echo the opinions Donald, and Brian that the Rf 100-400 will give you the extra reach you need to track aircraft and keep them a reasonable size in the viewfinder.  For nature (i.e. wildlife) photography, the extra reach of the 100-400 will be a big benefit.

I have the RF 24-240 and it is a brilliant optic, and would be my preference for a walk-around unit and for general purposes - landscape etc., (echoing Ernie and Donald in their mention of this, so if you have not got a competing optic, like the 24-105, then I would suggest that as a second lens for aircraft on display on the ground.