Moving From Rebel T6 to R50, Travel Advice

[SheldonS]

Hello everyone! Based on some feedback in another post I went ahead and purchased an R50 to replace my Rebel T6. So far I do not regret it. The R50 is light and easy to carry on hikes! I also like that I can manipulate the display screen so I do not always have to get on the ground for some shots! I am also a bit overwhelmed by all of the options, which I know is a good thing once I get use to them.

As luck would have it, we are going on a trip where I want to make ample use of my camera. I only have the one RF that came with my camera. I do have the control adapter and several EF/EF-S lenses. Where we are going will more than likely involve landscapes, sun rise/set, I hope some wildlife or at least birds, and portraits.

Does anyone have suggestions I could use to come up to speed quickly? I hate to admit it, but I will be buying R50 for Dummies in addition to a handful of YouTube videos that seem useful from their description.

Any suggestions as to what lenses should I bring? I want to keep it light but effective. I was thinking my one RF lens as my main lens, then maybe the 50 for portraits and the 75-300 for any potential wildlife.

• RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM
• EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
• EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings, @SheldonS 

I absolutely got it and knew what you owned.  My suggestions were to move you away from your EF and EF-S lenses in favor of a native mount.  

Doesn't have to be all at once or even happen if you don't want it to but trading in does give you a little more operating capital.  

As you can see, we are all in general agreement on a move forward strategy for you.  🙂  

[TomRamsey]

If it's not to personal, where are you going by the way?  

[SheldonS]

We are going to Hawaii. Probably one and done for us which is why I am kind of stressing my photography. While I've been doing it for a while I still feel more like an advanced beginner not quite intermediate yet. I get overwhelmed by full manual so I avoid that one when possible. I also have yet to try to take on processing my photos with Canon's tool. I do shoot RAW+JPEG that way if I ever do take that leap I will have the right file format to use.

[jrhoffman75]

I only use Manual when it is essential that I control all three variables (such as when I am photographing Milky Way or star trails.) Otherwise I generally use Av for travel/landscape when DoF is important or Tv when stop action is important. Auto ISO as well.with max ISO configured in Menus. Internet hype has people believing that they have to use Manual to be a good photographer.

Canon DPP4 is a good basic editor. Since it reads all of the camera settings the starting point is exactly the same as the camera JPEG.

[pzphotomama]

Congratulations! I came from a DSLR a few years ago myself and it is a learning curve, you will catch on! 

I am guessing the RF18-45mm came with your camera - that will help for more "wider" views - so in that case leave the 18-55 at home. Depending on what you think you may need for low light could bring the 24 or 50mm the 50 gives more available light with f1.8 - but 50mm on a crop is 80mm vs the 24 at 38.4mm. Definitely take your zoom lens to capture wild life as well! 

I do agree with the other posts to look at the RF 100-400 as an upgrade for you - however my answer is based on what you have to use 🙂 

[SheldonS]

When you switched, did you notice the EF lenses using the adapter, seem to be constantly auto focusing? Even when you are not trying to focus?

[ebiggs1]

"I only use Manual when it is essential that I control all three variables..."

Absolutely. Sometimes cameras are smarter than you think or smarter then you are but sometimes you need that M mode when all else fails.

moon.jpg

[pzphotomama]

Ive definitely noticed the EF lens with the adapter vs just an RF lens, it does feel slower for me, which can affect focus! I did notice this tonight with my R7 + RF/EF adapter + EF 70-200 f2.8 as the natural lighting began getting more dusk, it was hunting for focus more. I should have pulled out my R6MII + RF 24-70 f2.8L to also test it - I did take some night shots last night with that set up and it did focus better, even slightly, I felt it made a difference.

I would love to get all RF, however it will take me time, which is okay! 

[SheldonS]

Thank you! I can relate with going all RF but having to take it slow. I do know my next lens purchase will be the RF100-400mm based on everyone's suggestion in this thread.