EOS R8 all-purpose lens for photography?

[lloyd64]

I am looking for advice on lens. I am new to photography and would like a lens that helps me capture everything and I am able to carry the camera around everywhere to get into a habit of clicking. This way I can find what I enjoy most whether its cityscape, street or portraits and then I can commit to a better niche lens.

Any suggestions?

Budget is entry level or upto 400-500 dollars

[jrhoffman75]

Consider this:

[stevet1]

lloyd64,

In addition to what John suggested, another option might be a used RF-S 18-150mm.

Take note though, because it is an RF-S lens, you would have a 1.6 crop factor in your field of view.

Since you are new to photography, another option would be to start out with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. It would be your cheapest option, and is not a zoom lens, but would give you the opportunity to learn how your camera works, and perhaps decide what kind of pictures you like to take.

Steve Thomas

[kvbarkley]

Why suggest an RF-S lens for a full frame camera?

The camera will limit resolution to the APS-C frame, "wasting" a lot of your sensor.

[shadowsports]

Go with John's (jrhoffman75) suggestion.  Excellent recommendation, great starter lens and versatile while you're starting out exploring your camera and photography.  

[stevet1]

kvbarkley,

Money.

Steve Thomas

[SignifDigits]

Thank you for dropping in and welcome to the forum.  Please let us know what you decide and visit often letting us know how things work out.  I like John's suggestion, and I also like Steve's suggestion of a prime lens. 

I picked up a used RF 50mm f/1.8 prime for $125 at my local camera shop.  Even new there is incredible value in this lens.  This sort of amazing-for-the-price lens used to the type of lens sold with every 35mm film camera.  You would have to learn to use your legs to zoom (something we need to do even using zoom lenses), and save up for even better zoom glass going that route.  Or a great tripod or other important gear.  It's just an option to consider. 

I personally think bright prime lenses are better for beginners if they really want to learn photography.  My opinion is to get a decent prime lens and learn the basic manual settings and composition in the camera and then explore the MANY (can be a bit overwhelming at times) capabilities of the modern digital camera.

Just another option for you to consider.  Honestly, though, whatever sounds the most fun for you to begin your photographic journey, THAT is the thing you MOST need to do.

I haven't used it but the zoom John suggested looks to be a great lens for the money, for sure.  

Fun quote from Joe McNally's book "The Moment It Clicks" (great fun and educational book, btw) "Learn to use your feet"... "Lots of photographers show up, stuff their tripod into the ground like they just struck oil,  and work the zoom ring like it's a knob on a freakin' transistor radio"

[ebiggs1]

"kvbarkley,

Money.

Steve Thomas"

In this case a poor soliton. 🤔

[ebiggs1]

"I picked up a used RF 50mm f/1.8 prime for $125 at my local camera shop.  Even new there is incredible value in this lens.  ... I personally think bright prime lenses are better for beginners if they really want to learn photography."

I know you are just offering your opinion as am I but, I can't think of a worse way to start off a new person. First off a 50mm FL is a difficult FL to work with. Second not able to zoom is another factor limiting a new person. This is 2026 not 1956 where primes were king. Not so any more zooms are by far a better choice and why Canon offers a zoom in their basic kit lens package and not a cheaper prime.

There is no inherent reason why a person can't learn the basics of photography with a zoom vs a prime. None! I did DSLR 101 classes for Park and Rec for a while and I don't think ever saw any new person with a prime. We all have opinions and that is mine.