I used to shoot Sony. My first interchangeable lens camera was a cropped sensor A6400, which has now been replaced with an updated model, the Sony Alpha A6700. After 2 years of shooting with that camera, I ended up selling it, and my wonderful wife gifted me a Sony A7III, a fantastic piece of kit which took great images and video with its 24 Megapixel CMOS sensor.
I shot with that for over a year, and eventually sold that as well. My friend Austin has been shooting with an old T3i for a couple of months, and that really got me interested in Canon. After doing tonnes of research and watching every YouTube video on the canon offerings, I ended up with an EOS R5. I love the 8K video recording, and the Tact sharp images that come out of this magic 45 Megapixel camera! But you can’t take just take a camera with you when you grab those sweet shots on your adventures…
You need some versatile lenses as well. Canon glass is expensive, though, so assuming you can’t extend yourself very much farther-you require some quality glass that you can use in multiple situations. I will give you a couple of options at each price point.
| <$500 | $500-$1000 | $1000-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 MM STM F/1.8 | 24-105 MM USM L F/4 | 15-35 MM USM L F/2.8 |
Canon RF 35 MM STM F/1.8
The Canon RF 35 MM is a great, economical lens. 35 MM is such a great focal length as you can use it for portraits, as well as get some great environment shots. You can shoot at a nice fast aperture at 1.8 meaning you will have the biggest, roundest Bokeh bulbs in the background. It’s also nicely built and almost feels as quality as its more expensive luxury lens counterparts. For $500 or under used, you can’t go wrong with this lens.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Little distortion
- Lower in price
- Compact
Cons
- No weather sealing
- Not variable length
24-105 MM USM L F/4
The Canon RF 24-105 MM although retails for $1300, when it launched it was $1000, and if you look for it refurbished or used you can easily find it for under $1000. The best thing about this lens is how versatile it is!
It can shoot environments at 24 MM, and hit 35-85 for Portraits, and gives you a little more after that in case you need a little more punch.
Pros
- Wide zoom range
- Weather sealing
- Light
Cons
- Slow at F/4
Canon RF 15-35 MM USM L F/2.8
You know the deal by now, yes this lens is actually $2300, but I got mine used (and absolutely flawless) for $1400, and with a little research, you can find plenty of them yourself. The brass tacks is that this lens is truly worth it! You can shoot astro photography at 15-18 MM, architecture at 20-25, and portraits at everyone’s favorite, 35.
The images that come out of this lens are crisper than a DNA strand. They are stickier than a porcupine, more beautiful than a flower on the tip of a hat of a cowgirl during golden hour.
Exhale
All I am saying is, if you like to shoot wide scenes-GET THIS LENS!
Pros
- Weather sealing
- Slept on, so you can get this at a good price
- Quality
Cons
- The price (if bought new)