Top 4 Budget RF Lenses for Canon R50, R7, R10 & R100!
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Introduction
Canon’s R50, R7, R10, and R100 have made the RF mount more accessible than ever, offering powerful features in compact, budget-friendly bodies. But what about affordable lenses to match? While the RF mount is known for high-end (and high-priced) glass, there are still a few gems out there that won’t break the bank. Better yet, many of these lenses also work on full-frame RF cameras, giving you room to grow as you upgrade.
Below, we’ll look at four standout lenses—some from Canon, one from a third party—that deliver excellent performance, unique capabilities, and great value on APS-C RF-mount cameras. Whether you’re into portraits, vlogging, macro photography, or distant subjects like wildlife and sports, these lenses have something to offer.
1. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Price: ~$180
Focal Length on Crop: ~80mm (Perfect for portraits and detailed shots)
Why It’s Great:
- Compact & Lightweight: Weighing just 5.6 oz, it’s barely noticeable on your camera.
- F/1.8 Aperture: Superb low-light capability and lovely background blur for portraits, products, and more.
- Budget-Friendly: Canon’s cheapest RF autofocus lens—ideal for beginners or those adding their first prime.
Pros:
- Great value, very affordable.
- Excellent for portraiture and shallow depth-of-field effects.
- Works on full-frame if you upgrade later.
Cons:
- Control ring and focus ring are combined, requiring a menu dive to switch focus modes.
- Not weather sealed.
- Soft wide open at f/1.8 (though sharpens nicely by f/2.8).
Who Should Buy It:
Beginners looking for their first prime lens, or anyone who wants a lightweight, bright lens for portraits, low-light shooting, and general creative photography.
2. 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro
Price: ~$180
Focal Length on Crop: ~100mm (Ideal for macro and close-up detail)
Why It’s Great:
- 1:1 Macro: True macro capability allows for incredibly detailed close-ups.
- All-Metal Build: Feels solid and premium, with smooth focusing and aperture rings.
- Very Sharp in Macro Range: Astonishing sharpness at close distances.
Pros:
- Exceptional macro performance for a bargain price.
- Beautiful build quality.
- Perfect for product shots, insects, flowers, and other tiny subjects.
Cons:
- Fully manual, no autofocus or electronic aperture control.
- Not weather sealed.
- Performance less impressive at normal (non-macro) distances.
Who Should Buy It:
Dedicated macro enthusiasts or anyone wanting to explore the world of close-up photography without spending a fortune. If you’re comfortable with manual focus, this lens offers incredible bang for your buck.
3. Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
Price: ~$299
Focal Length on Crop: ~25-26mm (A great semi-wide angle for everyday use)
Why It’s Great:
- Ultra-Compact & Light: Similar in size and weight to the RF 50mm f/1.8.
- F/2.8 Aperture: Bright enough for indoor use and low-light situations while providing some background blur.
- Close Minimum Focus: Can focus quite close, adding versatility for unique wide-angle close-ups.
Pros:
- Excellent for vlogging, landscape, travel, and walk-around photography.
- Sharp in the center, good enough for everyday shooting.
- Works on full-frame and APS-C bodies.
Cons:
- Control ring/focus ring combo, similar menu dive issue as the RF 50mm.
- Not weather sealed.
- Softness towards edges on full-frame (less of an issue on APS-C).
Who Should Buy It:
Content creators, vloggers, and those who need a wider perspective for general use. If you want something that mimics the natural field of view of a phone camera on APS-C, this is a fantastic choice.
4. Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
Price: ~$650
Focal Length on Crop: ~160-640mm (Incredible reach for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects)
Why It’s Great:
- Massive Zoom Range: Capture subjects you couldn’t reach with any other lens on this list.
- Built-In Stabilization: Essential at long focal lengths, helps keep images steady.
- Full-Frame Compatible: Future-proof your investment if you upgrade to a full-frame body.
Pros:
- Excellent telephoto reach.
- Surprisingly lightweight for a 100-400mm (1.4 lbs) and relatively compact.
- Autofocus, separate control ring, and stabilization included.
Cons:
- Narrow aperture (f/5.6-8) limits low-light performance; best used outdoors in good light.
- Not weather sealed.
- Heavier and larger than others here, but that’s expected for a telephoto zoom.
Who Should Buy It:
Wildlife and sports photographers, or anyone needing serious reach on a budget. If you’ve outgrown your kit lens and want to capture distant action, this lens is a no-brainer.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to add a shallow depth-of-field portrait lens, explore macro photography, go wide for vlogs, or get close to distant wildlife, these lenses provide fantastic opportunities without blowing your budget. With one (or two) of these lenses in your kit, you’ll unlock new creative possibilities and take full advantage of Canon’s APS-C RF cameras.