RF 16 mm f/2.8 or 35 mm f/1.8 for EOS RP user ?

ggasquecc wrote:

Hi there,

I've been using a canon EOS RP since 6 months and I'm very happy with it. I bought it as part of an offer with RF 24-105 STM, RF 50 mm STM and a spare battery. Photography is one of my passion but I'm far to be a "pro" and I'm not ready to spent k€ in gears.

I really enjoy using the RP and I'm thinking of buying a new lens. I spent a lot of time reading reviews and forums, trying to figure out what the best lens is for my needs.

I ended up choosing two prime lenses: the Canon RF 16 mm f/2.8 and the Canon RF 35 mm f/1.8. I want a good quality lens for indoor shooting (mainly portraits of my family or friends) and the RF 50 mm is not wide enough for that. So 35 mm seems perfect for me. But it is 35 mm, a focal length already "covered" by my 24-105. Is the quality gap between 24-105 STM and 35 mm really worth it ?

On the other side, although it is not a portrait lens, the RF 16 mm will open up new possibilities to me (I've never used such a wide angle), such as landscape or astrophotography.

So please, based on your experience which one would you choose ?

Thanks a lot.

You really want both eventually … just have to prioritize which one first.  Even though I own both and the 50 and the 24-105 I don’t use the 35 hardly at all but then again I haven’t taken any low light photos last 6 months. 16 is “ fun” lens  and can be very useful in some situations. It is actually very hard focal length to use properly and create meaningful compositions . If you finding yourself constantly wishing for wider then 24mm lens it is your lens. If not get the 35 first I’d say.

Wow, I really want to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my message. All your comments are a great source of reflection and inspiration.

I've spent time to read each reply carefully and have come to the conclusion that:

- both lenses are great options, depending on individual practices and sensibility

- I will definitively buy both as mentioned several times. The question is more which one should I buy first

- I should also consider a bounce flash for my indoor portraits. This is a new thought for me as I've only used pop-up flash so far and really hate the results

So again, thanks a lot for your answers.

G Rash wrote:

SteveinLouisville wrote:

ggasquecc wrote:

- I should also consider a bounce flash for my indoor portraits. This is a new thought for me as I've only used pop-up flash so far and really hate the results

So again, thanks a lot for your answers.

A Godox TT350-c is a good option for a small bounce flash. A Canon 430EX ii, used, is also a good choice. I got one from B&H in "like new" condition for $125. My brand new Godox (also from B&H) was $84.

Similarly, the 580EX ii can be found in good condition for about $120 from stores like Robert's on EBay. Mine works great, although it is a good bit bigger than the Godox 350 or Flashpoint Mini. FYI the Flashpoint brand at Adorama is just Godox rebranded.

580ex is massive on an RP.  I’d go 430EX or smaller.  ISO noise on the RP is good enough that using 800 barely looks different from 100, so you don’t need a monster flash.  I like the EL-100 for RP personally.

liam J wrote:

I loved the images and bokeh from the 50mm F1.8 but missed having a wider angle and IBIS. The 35mm is the usual lens that I have on the camera as it nearly covers everything with great image quality. Don't know about the 16mm, but I see it more as an interesting but niche lens.

Honestly vice versa for me. I only bought the 35 because the 50 didn’t exist yet. 50 is so much more compact and basically same image quality.barely touched 35mm since I got 50.

SteveinLouisville wrote:

580ex is massive on an RP. I’d go 430EX or smaller. ISO noise on the RP is good enough that using 800 barely looks different from 100, so you don’t need a monster flash. I like the EL-100 for RP personally.

The 580EX is very large on the RP, for sure. That's one of the reasons I got the 430EX. Smaller, and still quite powerful. I have the EL-100 as well, and like it a lot. The Godox TT350c is just as small, however, has a zoomable flash head and, best of all to me, can be either a master or slave in the Godox wireless flash system. It is also about $70 cheaper.

I’ve used tt350 on both Fuji and Panasonic in the past.  It’s a good flash for the price, I agree.