If you’ve recently joined the Canon EOS R mirrorless family — whether it’s the EOS R50, R10, R8, or R6 Mark II — congratulations! You’ve entered a world of cutting-edge imaging technology designed for both creativity and performance. The Canon RF mount opens up a whole new realm of lens possibilities — from ultra-wide landscapes and creamy portraits to close-up macro shots and telephoto wildlife photography.
At The Galway Camera Shop, we’re often asked one simple question:
“Which Canon RF lens should I buy next?”
The answer depends on you — your style, your subjects, and the stories you want to tell through your images. To help you make the right choice, we’ve broken down some of the best Canon RF lenses for every type of photographer, whether you’re expanding your kit or exploring something completely new.
Portrait Photography: The Magic of the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Prime
Few lenses have the iconic status of a 50mm prime. Often called the “nifty fifty,” the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a small, affordable powerhouse that every EOS R user should consider adding to their kit.
Despite its compact size, this lens delivers professional-quality results. Its bright f/1.8 aperture allows for stunning background blur (bokeh) and beautiful subject separation — perfect for portraits, low-light scenes, and creative depth-of-field effects.
The STM autofocus motor ensures focusing is quick, smooth, and nearly silent — ideal for both stills and video. Combined with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating, you’ll see vibrant colour reproduction and excellent contrast, even in challenging light.
It’s also lightweight and travel-friendly, meaning it won’t weigh you down on a day out shooting in the Latin Quarter or along Salthill Promenade.
Why it’s a must-have:
- Great value and performance for portraits and street photography
- Compact and unobtrusive for travel or everyday shooting
- Bright aperture for creative control and low-light shooting
Whether you’re shooting a friend’s portrait or capturing candid moments on the streets of Galway, the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the perfect creative companion.
Landscape Photography: Capture the Wild Atlantic in All Its Glory
Recommended Lenses:
From the rugged Connemara coastline to the vibrant cityscapes of Galway, wide-angle lenses allow you to tell bigger stories.
Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
If you’re using an APS-C EOS R camera like the R50 or R10, this compact and affordable ultra-wide zoom is a dream for landscape and travel photography. With a 10–18mm range, it lets you capture sweeping coastal views or the dramatic skies over the Claddagh — all in crisp, distortion-free detail.
Thanks to its 4-stop Optical Image Stabilizer, you can shoot handheld even in low light. The lens’s retractable design makes it easy to slip into a small camera bag, perfect for hikes or city breaks. And with STM motor technology, it’s also smooth and quiet for video shooting.
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 IS STM
For full-frame users, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a lightweight, ultra-wide prime lens that punches well above its price. Its bright f/2.8 aperture makes it perfect for astrophotography and indoor architecture, while the minimum focusing distance of just 5.1 inches allows creative close-ups with dramatic perspectives.
Both of these lenses are compact, versatile, and ideal for photographers who love to explore and travel light. Whether you’re photographing the Cliffs of Moher at sunrise or experimenting with creative vlogs, these lenses let you capture the world from a wider point of view.
Why you’ll love them:
- Ultra-wide field of view for dramatic landscapes
- Excellent for travel, vlogging, and architecture
- Compact, lightweight design with great value
Zoom & Telephoto Photography: Get Closer to the Action
Recommended Lenses:
When you want to capture distant subjects — whether it’s wildlife at a nature reserve, sports events, or candid street scenes — a telephoto lens brings your subjects closer and adds incredible versatility to your kit.
Canon RF 100–400mm f/5.6–8 IS USM
This is one of the most impressive all-round telephoto zooms in the Canon RF lineup. Despite its long 100–400mm range, it’s surprisingly light at just 635g — making it easy to carry all day. With 5.5 stops of Optical Image Stabilisation, you’ll get tack-sharp shots even when shooting handheld at full zoom.
Its Nano USM motor delivers fast, accurate, and silent focusing, making it a reliable lens for both stills and video. The Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) glass minimizes chromatic aberration, ensuring crystal-clear images with vibrant, natural colour.
Whether you’re photographing birds in motion or capturing the action at a local match, this lens gives you the reach and precision you need — all without breaking your back or your budget.
Canon RF 75–300mm f/4–5.6
For beginners or those on a tighter budget, the Canon RF 75–300mm offers incredible reach in a lightweight, affordable package. Perfect for wildlife and sports photography, it allows you to frame distant subjects with ease, while maintaining sharp focus even at the long end of the zoom.
The lens features a Super Spectra coating for vivid colour and reduced flare, and it’s compact enough for travel and family adventures. On APS-C models like the EOS R50 or R100, the crop factor gives an effective focal range of 120–480mm — an incredible advantage for wildlife photographers.
Why these lenses stand out:
- Powerful zoom range for sports, wildlife, and travel
- Lightweight designs that don’t compromise image quality
- Excellent image stabilization for handheld use
If you love photographing Irish wildlife, equestrian events, or even street performers from afar, a telephoto lens will open up an entirely new creative perspective.
Macro Photography: Discover a Hidden World of Detail
Recommended Lenses:
Macro photography is about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — revealing textures, patterns, and details invisible to the naked eye. From dewdrops on a leaf to the intricate grain of an Irish stone wall, Canon’s macro lenses are designed to immerse you in the world of fine detail.
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
This versatile wide prime doubles as both a street photography lens and a macro tool. It offers a 1:2 magnification ratio, meaning you can get incredibly close to your subject while maintaining outstanding sharpness.
Its f/1.8 aperture makes it perfect for low-light shooting, while the Hybrid Image Stabilizer provides up to 5 stops of stabilization — ideal for handheld macro shots. The Control Ring allows you to quickly adjust settings such as aperture or ISO, keeping your workflow intuitive and efficient.
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
For portrait and close-up lovers alike, the RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM delivers gorgeous separation between subject and background, along with 1:2 macro capability. Its Hybrid IS system reduces shake by up to 5 stops, making it ideal for handheld shooting.
The lens’s Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) element enhances image clarity, while the 9-blade diaphragm produces smooth, creamy bokeh — perfect for artistic portraits or delicate macro compositions.
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
For those who want professional-grade macro performance, the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is in a class of its own. With a 1.4x magnification ratio, it lets you get even closer than traditional macro lenses.
The Spherical Aberration Control ring allows photographers to fine-tune the softness of their bokeh and add a dreamy look to portraits — a feature that’s unique in the Canon lens lineup. The Dual Nano USM motors provide fast, silent autofocus, while the Hybrid Image Stabilizer ensures sharp results even in low light.
This lens also carries Canon’s L-series badge — meaning professional-grade weather sealing, premium build quality, and optical excellence.
Why macro lenses deserve a place in your kit:
- Reveal details you’d never notice otherwise
- Great for nature, textures, and product photography
- Hybrid stabilization and fast autofocus make handheld macro work possible
Whether you’re capturing raindrops on Irish wildflowers or the fine texture of local crafts, macro lenses let you experience photography in an entirely new way.
Bringing It All Together
Every photographer’s journey is different. Some crave the shallow depth of field and creamy backgrounds of a portrait lens; others chase light and texture across vast landscapes. The beauty of the Canon EOS R system lies in its versatility — and the growing lineup of RF lenses means there’s something for every creative vision and every budget.
When building your kit, think about how you like to shoot:
- Do you love capturing people and emotion? Start with the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or RF 85mm f/2 Macro.
- Drawn to nature and scenery? Go wide with the RF-S 10–18mm or the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM.
- Want to photograph wildlife or distant subjects? Reach for the RF 100–400mm or RF 75–300mm.
- Fascinated by small details and textures? Dive into macro with the RF 35mm, 85mm, or 100mm.
Try Before You Buy — at The Galway Camera Shop
At The Galway Camera Shop, we don’t just sell gear — we’re passionate photographers too. We understand that choosing the right lens is personal, and sometimes you need to feel how it performs before making your decision.
That’s why we’re always happy to help you compare lenses, answer your questions, and even let you try them out in-store. Whether you’re upgrading your kit, switching from DSLR to mirrorless, or simply looking for inspiration, we’ll guide you toward the lens that will help you capture your vision perfectly.
Your creativity deserves the best tools — and your Canon EOS R camera deserves the right lens to match.
Visit us today at The Galway Camera Shop at 1 William St, in the heart of Galway and discover how Canon RF lenses can take your photography to the next level.
Or see our website for full details: www.galwaycamerashop.com
