EOS R8 Lens recommendations for documentary-style photography

[rambo007]

My wife just got a Canon EOS R8. She’s already so good with it and loves it. I don’t know anything about cameras but want to get her a lens. She says she wants to get into “documentary style photography”.

Any advice on which lenses I should consider getting her? I want to get a nice one but **bleep** some of them are expensive. Hoping to spend less than $1k so any guidance is much appreciated!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

What lens or lenses does she have now?

Take a look at some of Canon's refurbished lenses.  Documentary style photography can probably be achieved with 24-105 range.  

RF 35. F1.8

RF 24-105 f4

RF 24-105 f4-7.1

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/lenses/refurbished-lenses?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-ty8BhA_EiwAkyoa...

 You could probably get her two lenses depending on availability.  

[deebatman316]

Greetings OP first off let’s take a step back. Before purchasing any new lenses what lens does your wife have. Is it the RF 24-50mm F/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens. Or is it a different lens than mentioned above. The RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM is a great standard zoom lens with a constant aperture. Constant aperture lenses work well in low light conditions compared to variable aperture lenses. Such as the cheaper RF 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM lens. Prime (fixed focal length) lenses such as the RF 35mm F/1.8 IS Macro STM lens is great when wide apertures are needed such as F/2, F/1.8 or wider is needed. Note a prime lens is more limiting than a zoom lens. Since you simply cannot zoom in. Instead you have to “zoom with your feet”. 

[skasmith]

Would anyone recommend the OP grab a Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, to open the option of using EF mount lenses as well?

[deebatman316]

EF lenses can be more limiting on the RF Mount. A lot of older EF lenses DO NOT SUPPORT the highly advanced AF system in the EOS R series. I would only recommend the adapter if they’re newer EF lenses. Or if there’s no RF Mount equivalent available. 

[ebiggs1]

"A lot of older EF lenses DO NOT SUPPORT the highly advanced AF system in the EOS R series."

That would have no bearing on document photography but I, too, do not recommend any EF lens or any adapted lens for this job.

[kvbarkley]

Only if they already have EF lenses.

[ebiggs1]

"Would anyone recommend the OP grab a Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, to open the option of using EF mount lenses as well?

 No I wouldn't, it's not a good idea and way forward.

[ebiggs1]

"Note a prime lens is more limiting than a zoom lens. Since you simply cannot zoom in. Instead you have to “zoom with your feet”."

I say that a lot of the time but for document photography it isn't a factor depending on what "documents" you are photographing. Working for Hallmark for all those years there was a lot of that type photography going on. The best set up is a camera stand or tripod and a nice flat surface for the document or art work to lie on with either good lighting or good artificial lighting. I used my darkroom enlarger stand with a fixed or prime lens that could focus at the required distance. You will need to figure that out but this is where the good ole 50mm f1.8 lens would do an admirable job. This make none of the lenses mentioned above a good choice except perhaps the 35mm f1.8 prime.

[ebiggs1]

This is a document style photography stand...........

If you want to get her going good right off check it out and either the RF 50mm f1.8 lens or RF 35mm f1.8 lens. It's difficult to specify which one without actually seeing what "documents" she is wanting to copy. The aspect ratio will be a factor.