I just pre-ordered the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and I’m feeling totally overwhelmed. I’m a complete beginner and honestly have no idea what I’m doing with lenses. I mostly want to take nice portraits of my golden retriever and maybe capture some travel shots when we go on vacation, but the sheer number of options on the Canon website is making my head spin.
My logic was that since the camera is expensive, I should probably get a 'pro' lens, but then I saw prices over $2,000 and that’s just way out of my budget. Should I be looking at the RF-S lenses, or are those not compatible? I’m confused about the whole 'full-frame' thing too. I don't want to buy something and realize later it doesn't fit or it’s the wrong kind for what I’m trying to do. I’m basically looking for one or two lenses that are easy to use and won't require a master's degree to figure out. Is there a 'starter' lens that’s actually decent for portraits that won't break the bank?
Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly just grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for those golden retriever portraits. It is CHEAP and sharp. Save your cash for travel snacks instead.
Listen, skip the expensive stuff for now. You don't need a pro-grade lens to take good shots of a dog. Look, your camera is full-frame, so stay away from RF-S lenses—they're for the smaller sensors. Stick to these:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM (perfect for portraits)
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM (great for travel) Keep it simple. That 50mm will give you that blurry background look you want without costing a fortune.
^ This. Also, honestly dont stress too much about the pro gear yet, but I gotta disagree with only looking at the super budget entry-level stuff if you want your shots of the dog to actually pop. If you want that pro look without hitting that $2k mark, just look into any decent third-party prime or a mid-range zoom that fits the mount. Honestly, go with Sigma or Tamron—you really cant go wrong with them for the price point and they feel solid enough for travel. TL;DR: Dont limit yourself to just one brand, just grab any reliable fast prime for those dog portraits and a versatile zoom for travel, and you'll be set for years without needing a loan. Lowkey, the glass matters way more than the body anyway, so just get something that feels good in your hands and you'll figure the rest out as you go. Youre gonna be fine, just dont overthink the specs too much or you'll never actually start shooting...
To add to the point above: everyone pushes the expensive zooms, but I learned the hard way that heavy gear stays in the bag. I ended up selling my bulky kit and sticking to primes. Check these out for better value:
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM - sharper and more versatile than the 50mm.
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM - best for portraits of your dog without the pro price tag.
To add to the point above: I was in your shoes last month. I'm no expert but I spent hours comparing stuff before grabbing my gear. Here is what I found:
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM: super tiny, great for travel.
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM: surprisingly light for its reach, awesome for dog action shots. Honestly, just picking one and getting out there is the best way to learn. Dont overthink it, just start shooting!
Same boat, watching this
This comes up a lot, but I agree with the previous advice to avoid the heavy, expensive L-series glass for now. Your camera is full-frame, so stick to RF lenses. RF-S lenses are designed for smaller sensors and will force your camera into a crop mode, which defeats the point of buying an R6-series body. If you want versatility without spending thousands, look at the used market. Sites like MPB or KEH are reliable and much cheaper than retail. Since you want to shoot your dog and travel, you need something that covers a decent range but remains lightweight. Consider these options:
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM: Extremely compact for travel shots and landscapes. It is very affordable and fits in a jacket pocket.
- Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM: This is a 'superzoom.' It is not a pro lens, but it covers almost every focal length you would need for vacation, saving you from swapping lenses constantly. Don't waste your budget on a 'pro' label. Most of the difference in those lenses is weather sealing and slightly faster aperture, which you likely won't notice as a beginner. Spend the money you save on a decent camera bag or a spare battery instead. If you really want to learn, get one prime lens and one versatile zoom and just go shoot.
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