I am using the Ricoh GR3 now but I am missing the Canon type controls and the ability to zoom. I am willing to forego the "pocketability" convenience for a more versatile package. The R8 seems to be a good size for travel but I am uncertain as to what zoom lens would be the best choice for typical vacation type shots.
I will probably get a prime or 2 but for now I am focused (pun intended) on the zoom. I do not need a 2.8. F4 would be fine.
I also have a few nice EF lens but that would require an adapter which would add to the weight and size. For local stuff that's fine but I want to avoid that combo for travel.
The 16-28 / 28-70 f2.8's are in my bag at the moment, they balance pretty nicely on a R8, also added a 28mm f2.8 pancake as EDC, this combo is smaller than some Apsc set ups.
Is there a disadvantage to just using the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and my EF lenses? This is $148 on Amazon and does not look like it would add much bulk.
The adaptors have no glass and are just a space with electronic passthru, so EF glass is at least as good or better with the adaptor if you want to go that direction. There are three adaptor types: plain, ones with a control ring and ones with a drop in filter, so might be worth thinking about your usage.
John Power wrote:
Is there a disadvantage to just using the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and my EF lenses? This is $148 on Amazon and does not look like it would add much bulk.
No disadvantage in performance; in fact, your EF lenses may work "better" due to the more consistent results possible with on-sensor focusing. The whole package just tends to be a little bulkier than native.
I like the control ring adapter with my R8s, as it adds a third wheel to the camera which lacks a rear quick control dial. You can program the control ring with various functions, as per your preference. All RF lenses have control rings built-in.
garyvot wrote:
No disadvantage in performance; in fact, your EF lenses will work better due to the more consistent results possible with on-sensor focusing. The whole package just tends to be a little bulkier than native.
The size difference depends on the focal length too. For example, an EF 24-70 2.8 II with adapter is just about the same size and weight as an RF 24-70 2.8 IS. But an EF 16-35 f/4 is significantly larger than and RF 14-35 f/4. Super telephoto RF lenses are basically EF lenses with an adapter permanently mounted on the back. The shorter lenses can leverage the shorter flange distance of mirrorless to shrink the overall package in ways that longer lenses can't.
John Power wrote:
I am using the Ricoh GR3 now but I am missing the Canon type controls and the ability to zoom. I am willing to forego the "pocketability" convenience for a more versatile package. The R8 seems to be a good size for travel but I am uncertain as to what zoom lens would be the best choice for typical vacation type shots.
I will probably get a prime or 2 but for now I am focused (pun intended) on the zoom. I do not need a 2.8. F4 would be fine.
I also have a few nice EF lens but that would require an adapter which would add to the weight and size. For local stuff that's fine but I want to avoid that combo for travel.
The 28/2.8 stm is very good and small. The 16/2.8 is pretty good (and small) for a 16mm but requires a lot of in camera (jpg) or in computer (raw) adjustments which are very easy.
I have 15-30 (quite good) and 24-50 (small but a little less iq) and 24-105 stms (slow and pretty good at f8). I also have the 100-400 stm (quite good but slow). I have considered the 24-240 but its too long/big for my taste with r8.
I think if you want to be small and light its 16/2.8, 24-105IS, and 100-400IS. They are not great lens (slow/high fstop need correctoopm) but they are good enough for vacation, that the output is indistinguishable from L lens when handheld at 24mpx (r8).
My travel case is r8, r7 (reach), 24-105, 16, and 100-500.
thedruid wrote:
The 16-28 / 28-70 f2.8's are in my bag at the moment, they balance pretty nicely on a R8, also added a 28mm f2.8 pancake as EDC, this combo is smaller than some Apsc set ups.
That sounds like a good kit. Throw in the nifty-fifty and you’re set.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I think I will wait for an R8 to show up on B&S at a reasonable price and pick it up. I'll make the RF lens decision later but I'll get the ef to rf adapter so in the interim I can use my EF lenses.
John Power wrote:
Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I think I will wait for an R8 to show up on B&S at a reasonable price and pick it up. I'll make the RF lens decision later but I'll get the ef to rf adapter so in the interim I can use my EF lenses.
FYI, Canon USA sometimes has sale pricing on refurbished R8 cameras which make them even a better deal (when in stock). They carry a 1-year factory warranty, just like new.
John Power wrote:
I am using the Ricoh GR3 now but I am missing the Canon type controls and the ability to zoom. I am willing to forego the "pocketability" convenience for a more versatile package. The R8 seems to be a good size for travel but I am uncertain as to what zoom lens would be the best choice for typical vacation type shots.
I will probably get a prime or 2 but for now I am focused (pun intended) on the zoom. I do not need a 2.8. F4 would be fine.
I also have a few nice EF lens but that would require an adapter which would add to the weight and size. For local stuff that's fine but I want to avoid that combo for travel.
I think given your description it comes down to the RF 24-50 f/4.5-6.3 IS or the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS. Neither is going to give you super high quality, but they will give you decent quality at a reasonable size and price. If you want higher quality as people have suggested the RF 24-105 f/4L is the way to go, but it costs a lot more and it is quite a bit heavier (almost twice as heavy as the STM lens).
Whether you go with the short range zoom or the longer range zoom I think comes down to whether your are going to add a prime. That short range zoom plus the RF 85 f/2 IS macro--a lens I have and really like--makes a strong combination and the prime has very nice image quality and gives you a wider aperture when you need it. It isn't that big either.
If you are going to go with just the zoom then I think the longer range zoom makes senses. Of course you won't have a faster aperture, but you will have a decent range of focal lengths and for still and slow moving subjects really good IS.
