Rarely post but I had to chime in. I struggled with the same corner softness on my EOS R until I picked up the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF. It is significantly sharper than the kit lens for landscape work. I used it for a month in the Rockies and the edge-to-edge clarity is excellent for the price. It is a solid, dedicated solution for wide-angle shots without breaking the bank.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I totally agree the kit lens is trash. Ngl, if you want something sharp on a budget, look at the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM—it is super small and cheap. Or check out the Viltrox 20mm F2.8 AF if you want more reach. The Canon is smaller but the Viltrox is lowkey a hidden gem for the price. TL;DR: Go with the 16mm for size or 20mm for versatility.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I disagree about the primes. Last summer I used the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and it is way better for landscapes than those tiny plastic primes...

Rarely post but I have to disagree with the zoom recommendation. Adapting older glass often leads to corner softness on the EOS R sensor. You should look at the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD with an EF-EOS R adapter. It is significantly sharper than the older Canon L glass and much cheaper. If you want a prime, the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE is another sharp, lightweight option that performs well for travel.

> its driving me nuts. Ive got a Canon EOS R and I need something sharp on a budget... whats the best landscape lens for this body? Man, this comes up a lot. Honestly, you are definitely not the only one feeling that way about the kit glass. It is pretty standard for people to hit that wall once they start getting more serious about their travel shots. If you want my take, just grab any decent wide-angle prime from Canon and you will notice the difference immediately. They make great glass that wont break the bank if you look at the older stuff. You could also check out what Sigma is putting out lately, they have some solid options that fit the mount perfectly. Just stop stressing and go with Canon, you really cant go wrong there...

Same here!

Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.

+1

> its driving me nuts. Ive got a Canon EOS R and I need something sharp on a budget So funny you ask this — last summer I was hiking through the Cascades and my kit lens basically gave up on me halfway through a sunrise shoot. I was so frustrated that I ended up scouring the used market that same night. Honestly, if you want something that isnt a paperweight, you should check out the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. It is super sharp and the stabilization is a lifesaver for landscapes when the light starts to dip. If you really need that ultra-wide vibe though, grab the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF. It is manual focus only if you get the older EF version with an adapter, but the AF version for RF is just so much easier to live with. The Tamron gives you that nice versatility for street stuff too, but the Samyang is strictly for those epic vistas. Don't waste more money on those plastic kit lenses, just grab one of these and you'll see the difference IMMEDIATELY.

Oh man, I totally feel your pain. If you want sharpness without spending a fortune, you absolutely need to look at the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF. It’s manual focus mostly, wait—no, it has AF, but it’s just so much better than the kit zoom. Check out the lens reviews on DXOMARK to see the sharpness charts yourself. Honestly, just look for a used copy on MPB and you'll save a ton of cash.

This comes up a lot, but honestly just grab an adapter and hunt for some vintage manual glass. It makes the whole shooting process way more deliberate. Speaking of being deliberate, I spent three hours yesterday trying to organize my junk drawer because I couldn't find a single screwdriver, and somehow I ended up rearranging my entire spice rack by alphabetical order instead. My kitchen is a mess now. Anyway lol.

• Adapt old lenses
• Manual focus is zen
• Enjoy the process

100% agree

I am in the exact same boat with my EOS R setup. I have been fighting these blurry corners for six months now and still have not found a decent solution.

Honestly it is such a scam how these companies push kit lenses that are basically paperweights. I am so tired of paying premium prices for gear that falls apart or performs like junk.

• Everything is overpriced these days.
• Manufacturers dont care about quality anymore.
• I fixed my own gear last week and saved a ton because dealers wanted $300 just to look at it. It drives me CRAZY.