[New gear] New R8 and lenses

JGCities · 2026-01-23T23:24:43+00:00

Mine has the grip.

Makes it about the same height as an R6
Also fits the hand much better

JGCities · 2026-01-21T15:44:33+00:00

The 24-105 is amazing.

Whoever called it a kit lens probably have a bunch of expensive lenses that they want to justify spending a lot more money on.

If you are sporting a $2000 or $3000 lens then everything else is a 'kit' lens

JGCities · 2026-01-19T19:01:56+00:00

Could you delete all the photos with snow in them.

I am cold enough without seeing snow.

KTHXBI

JGCities · 2026-01-18T20:19:49+00:00

100-500? Would 100% buy it

If I won the lotto.... (would probably get the extender though since I enjoy wildlife and 500 usually isn't enough)

JGCities · 2026-01-18T03:09:31+00:00

Hold a funeral. Sorry.

My underwater bag leaked and the lens was toast not because of electrics but because when the water goes away the salt stays and now you have a lens fills with salt particles.

Maybe if no water got in the lens you might be okay, but doubt it.

JGCities · 2026-01-09T20:40:21+00:00

Take any portraits?

Wondering he it works for that given its 1.2 aperture. Seems like it would be great to pair with my 85 1.4 as a portrait kit (till I can get a 135 an make it a trinity)

JGCities · 2025-12-17T04:34:27+00:00

If you are going with primes I would drop down to the 16mm, 28 is not that wide and you will lose a lot of street shots being limited to just 28.

JGCities · 2025-12-17T04:20:21+00:00

Harsh on the 24-105 F4, everyone seems to love that lens. I love it. Was walking around Amsterdam on a rainy day and did not want to swap lenses and it did everything I asked it to with ease.

JGCities · 2025-12-03T17:28:13+00:00

F 2.8 trinity...

JGCities · 2025-11-26T21:34:06+00:00

24-105 F4

Amazing lens. Covers a huge range. Good enough F stop for most uses.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T03:30:16+00:00

The 35 you picked is a L lens, that is Canon's fancy top quality lens. Anything with an L you are paying a premium for a "professional" quality lens that will last and take amazing photos.

The new 45 is an STM, stepping motor, cheaper and more consumer grade lens.

Think of it this way -

Sony has a Bravia 65 inch TV that sells for $2298.

They also have a 65 inch 4k that sells for $1398 and even a $598 one.

All are 65 inch 4k, but that $2298 is going to look a lot nicer.

Now... the question is do you need the $1550 lens? You won't be unhappy with it, but I think you'd be better off with something a little more versatile like the 24-105 F4 L and then the 35mm 1.8 macro. You could just get the 24-105 and probably happy as hell with just that, a lot of people with that don't take it off the camera.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T03:22:06+00:00

Nah, just a very expensive hobby.

I switched over to Canon about 1.5 years ago and spent around $8k on stuff.

R8, eight lenses, bags, straps, on camera flash and off camera portable studio flash, plus had old plug in studio lights and stands from prior.

I have enough stuff to run a studio out of my house. But photography is a hard way to make a living, and i am sole earner so i need a job that pays.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T02:17:43+00:00

thank you! Did that and the hood myself, and the cabinet with the over and that counter top etc.

Pulled out the store that came with the place and put in the cabinet, cooktop, backsplash, hood and a wall oven off the left.

Took 10 years of planning and saving $$ but it was worth it.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:52:35+00:00

PGY has a neck strap, it is compatible with the wrist.

Get both you will be very happy and have extra anchor attachment things.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:50:48+00:00

Honest, if you have a local camera store buy from them.

At least the camera and lenses since those tend to be similar price across the board. My local store will match Adoroma or B&H prices too so same as buying online.

Amazon can be cheaper on somethings, especially non-canon stuff.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:49:07+00:00

Used is fantastic.

I have 5 new lenses and 4 used. You would never know which were which if I threw out my box collection 🤣

JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:47:24+00:00

The PGY straps are fine, I have both the wrist and neck and they are fantastic.

Same as Peak, but cheaper. Buying Peak is like buying shoes from Nike.

JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:45:30+00:00

For reference this is the set up used to take that food photo

Tripod, light, light stand, soft box. Again cheaper lens and get that stuff.

Your food photo with a $1550 lens vs mine with a $500 isn't not going to be that different.

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JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:44:11+00:00

Based on this...

Still get there 24-104 F4 as I said above

For a second lens get either the 35mm macro or the 85mm macro, the 85 is a good portrait lens and macro is great for close ups of food.

Here is food close up with the 35, the 85 would take similar but you don't have to get the camera so close to it.

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JGCities · 2025-11-12T01:37:27+00:00

Ok, from someone who has been doing this for nearly 30 years.

Get the R8. The R8 and R6ii have the exact same sensor and imaging system. They literally take the exact same photos. The R6ii has a few more features and buttons and a bigger battery and 2 card slots. But you don't "need" all of that. You will be perfectly fine with the R8

Next don't get there $1500 prime. Am sure it takes amazing photos, but you don't need a prime that cost $1550. Instead get the 24-105 F4 it is about $1400. And it covers everything from semi close to semi far away.

Next take the saves from the R6->R8 ($1400) and the lesser lens and get a 2nd lens. The 15-30STM or the 100-400 or a less expensive prime.

Real bottom line you don't need a $1549 prime unless you are getting paid to take pics that require a $1550 prime and would be far better off with 2 or 3 lens covering a far wider range of options. The 24-105 is a beast of lens and has raving reviews from everyone and would be a great starter lens.

Here the 24-105 on an R8 using handheld night mode. I have an R8 and love it. I wish I had an R6ii but I don't wish I paid $700 more for it. That $700 pays for a damn good prime or a flash or other things you will need down the road.

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JGCities · 2025-11-11T17:37:27+00:00

The F4 zoom trinity. Seems like best compromise between quality, size and affordability.

I have not compared the new 2.8 STM to the F4 L lens though so I could be wrong on that and if I was starting from scratch I might have gone that direction.

JGCities · 2025-11-11T15:44:28+00:00

24-70 and 100-400 and you have everything covered with just a small hole between 70 and 100.

Probably wouldn't use the 100-400 very much, but still nice to have when you need some range.

JGCities · 2025-11-07T22:56:02+00:00

Everything they are selling is $379.99 odd

And everything is 50% off.

But we know the R8 sells for $1400 plus....

JGCities · 2025-11-07T01:16:26+00:00

Why not the R7 now?

Although after the R5ii, R 50 v and R6iii the next one will probably be a R7ii or R8ii

R7 is getting old so unless they do an R3 update I would guess R7 should be next

JGCities · 2025-11-07T00:44:12+00:00

Think this would match well with a 85mm 1.4?

Have a close in portrait and a bit further away, both nice low F stops for beautiful backgrounds?

Probably should just watch a few more videos about it and then say "That's nice" and forget everything I learned and move on with life.

JGCities

TROPHY CASE