I now use my Canon gear for all types of work-related pictures for evaluations, hands-on product photographs, YouTube movies, and even recording my travels. My system has grown as my wants have modified and expanded and it’s most likely about as efficient a setup as I might get at this value for what I do, no matter all of the advantageous qualities of rival Sony, Panasonic, and Nikon methods.
However in the event you’d requested me in the beginning what my supreme full-frame system can be, I definitely wouldn’t have mentioned Canon. I’ve no specific bias towards Canon, however the finest Sony lenses are stellar – and there are such a lot of extra of them – whereas Panasonic has high-end video options, Nikon is a model I’ve recognized and trusted for years, and all three have in-body stabilization, which my EOS R8 doesn’t.
Whereas the EOS R8 is among the finest Canon cameras proper now, this lack of IBIS is an actual black mark. For those who’re on the lookout for the finest full-frame digital camera or the finest digital camera for fanatics proper now, there are many rivals that do have what many will take into account an important characteristic. And sure, that features me.
And nonetheless I purchased an EOS R8. How on earth did THAT occur?
The RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 STM package zoom have to be a bit garbage, proper? Nicely suppose once more! (Picture credit score: James Artaius)
How my weird decisions unfolded
It began once I noticed a deal on an EOS RP and 24-105mm STM package lens bundle. It appeared an incredible likelihood to attempt a model I’d examined for evaluations however I hadn’t owned for years. It was fascinating. The EOS RP dealt with somewhat properly, a Canon sturdy level, I believe, however had a reasonably poor sensor for dynamic vary.
The 24-104mm F4-7.1 STM lens didn’t look promising both, with maybe the worst aperture vary of any package zoom. However it truly proved somewhat good. It’s a bit gentle on the edges at 24mm, however aside from that it’s sharp and constant proper throughout the zoom vary. Higher nonetheless, its IS (Picture Stabilisation) does truly stay as much as Canon’s 5-stop compensation declare, and the way usually does THAT occur? Briefly, it’s an exceptionally good, low-cost and dependable normal zoom that I’m not going to interchange any time quickly. And sure, I’ve used the 24-105mm F4 L model, and I nonetheless suppose I like this yet one more.
So I swapped out the EOS RP for the EOS R8, a digital camera that’s simply as plasticky and light-weight because the EOS RP, however with a a lot better sensor and fabulously well-specified for the cash. No, there’s no IBIS, and I didn’t fancy the massive value hike to maneuver as much as the EOS R6 II, however the AF and the 4K 30/60p video within the R8 are simply nearly as good and fairly particular at this value. The R8’s retracting RF 24-50mm package lens was neat however a bit superfluous, in order that needed to go, however I saved my 24-105mm STM.
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The RF 16mm F2.8 is lower than $300 / £300, which is simply insane. Canon will get criticism for the price of its professional lenses, nevertheless it ought to get some credit score for the price of its client optics. (Picture credit score: James Artaius)
The lenses satisfied me
I realised I loved the portability, supplies and dealing with of this little setup and figured this could possibly be a useful core system transferring ahead. I do like fast-aperture primes, so I snapped up the RF 50mm F1.8 and RF 16mm F2.8, each ridiculously low-cost, and by no means regretted it. They’re compact, gentle to hold and a lot better optically than you’ll count on on the value.
That was the factor that struck me about Canon RF lenses – the mid-range ‘client’ optics don’t have the loopy specs of the professional lenses, however they’re quick, inexpensive and compact. I additionally picked up the RF 24mm, RF 35mm, and RF 85mm ‘macro’ primes for video work and product pictures, and whereas the AF generally is a bit clanky and whirry on occasion, they’re excellent lenses at an excellent value.
My most up-to-date purchase was the Canon RF 15-30mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM ultra-wide zoom. The specs shout ‘beginner lens’ however the efficiency doesn’t. The aperture vary sounds restrictive, however the IS is simply nearly as good because the 24-105mm lens’s, so the one time the aperture is perhaps a difficulty is low gentle taking pictures the place you want excessive shutter speeds, which I don’t do lots anyway. Optically it’s remarkably good. It’s one other instance of a lens that appears low-cost and restrictive however outperformed all my expectations.
On paper, the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM has little going for it, with a restricted aperture vary and funds specs. In use, it is gentle, easy to make use of, has very sturdy IS and equally sturdy optical efficiency. Who knew? (Picture credit score: Future)
So is there an ethical to all this?
I believe so. I’ve ended up with a system that works properly for me at a suitable value and has usually shocked me with its efficiency.
I realized one thing alongside the way in which. I realized that the cameras you need and the digital camera methods that really work finest for you aren’t at all times the identical factor. I additionally realized that there are not any ‘good’ digital camera methods and that yours could also be utterly totally different to another person’s, even inside the similar model. Digital camera methods aren’t at all times ready-made off-the-shelf options. They’ll evolve bit-by-bit as you study what you want and the gear that does it finest.
If anybody had requested me in the beginning which full-frame mirrorless system I might select then it could nearly definitely not have been Canon. However by a collection of pleased accidents and incremental additions I’ve ended up with a system I by no means needed however is precisely what I want. Go determine!
