What first lens do you prefer for Canon EOS R8?

What first lens do you prefer for Canon EOS R8, just starting the kit lens or the other choice if you have no Canon lens?

Can we make it a duo? On a budget one can’t go wrong with the 24-105 STM plus the nifty-fifty to cover many different use cases.

Honestly I think it depends on what you want to shoot, but maybe the 24-105 f/4.0 L. But you should check it out in person first because maybe it’s heavier than you want in a general walk about lens.

Over three years ago we picked up the RP and the RF 24-240 f/4-6.3 for $1,500.

Considering what I sold the RP for, I basically paid retail for the 24-240 and got to use the RP free for three years.

Picked up the R6II recently and kept the 24-240. Long story short - I really like that lens for an all purpose vacation lens.

Did you not buy the kit lens but R6 II with the 24-240 lens?

what do you want to do with your camera? landscape, nature,wildlife, studio work like portraits or street photography or etc etc
Or just a simple basic allround setup?
Some already mentioned the 24-240 that's a great lens for start with, delivers good results and optically it can get close to the 24-105L

But just as important is this: What's jour budget? Some RF lenses are not cheap Like the L series lenses.
The RF 24-105L is also a nice one to use but it's pricetag is above the 24-240.

And also the RF 16mm and the RF 35mm macro are nice lenses to use and they are not that expensive.

youtu.be/pQH1ZEkSkZo

As an RP owner I am sometimes tempted by the 24-240, have all the range in one lens, with good quality. But then I am put off by the weight and size, compared to my M6II and 18-150 combo, despite the importance of that 24-29mm range I don’t have.
I like a smaller kit when going out and about for my landscape / travel / street photography, that’s why I think the R8 with the 24-105 STM could be a sweet spot for me in terms of versatility and size/weight in a full frame kit, with the tiny 16mm and 50mm in the pocket for wider photos or portraits with blurred backgrounds.

My better half loves the combo RP and 24-240, (she did use a 6DII and 24-105L before that) And often only the RF16mm and RF35mm macro will be packed in her backpack with the RP and 24-240

My wife uses the M6II and the 18-150. Picture quality and features, you honestly aren’t missing anything. Just a little at the wide end and weight.

High ISO the RP is better but for dynamic range in good light the M6II is better and higher resolution.

When we got the RP at the end of 2019, they were kitting it with the 24-240 for $1,499. And a Pixma Pro-10 Printer for $350 off and a $350 mail in rebate (so free). I used the rebate for a deal on the RF 35 f/1.8. 😁

…..Fondly remembering the salad days, pre-pandemic. 😂….

When I moved to the R6II, I bought it body only. I sold the RP. I kept the 24-240 as my “kit” for the R6II. Honestly, I think they’d do well to kit the 24-240 with a couple bodies again.

As others have mention it all depends on your personal applications. I live my RP with the 35mm IS f1.8 macro, it is am awesome all-arounder, focus at 15cm, IS, sharp wide open, compact and affordable. 35mm in full frame gives you lots of flexibility.

I use the 24-240 with my R6, and find it very comfortable and well balanced when walking with it. I have a Peak Design cuff and let the camera hang from my fingers. I have posted sample pictures here.

When I take my bag, I also carry the RF16 or RF35 f/1.8, which I also find excellent.

David

I think that the R8 pairs very nicely with the RF 24-105mm/4.0-7.1 STM and the RF 35mm/1.8. Both are quite compact and really light set-ups which I like to take with me if weight and size matter.
I had the RF 24-105 STM before when I used it on a RP, but when I sold the RP (and switched to a R5) I also sold this lens. When I aquired the R8 I soon missed a light/compact medium range zoom lens so I bought a cheap, presumably never-used, 24-105 STM taken from a kit. So far, I'm happy with it and find that IQ is more than sufficient for me.

I have this one on my radar as well since I find the 24-105L a little too heavy for more casual travel photography. And given the small difference in size and price I find it hard to justify buying the 24-50 with its (very) limited zoom range.

RF 35mm f/1.8, but 35mm is my preferred focal length.