Canon EOS R8 Recommended Street lens?

Honestly, any of the RF primes will serve you well - 24mm, 35mm, or 50mm depending on your style. But here's the real advice: pick ONE lens and stick with it for at least 6 months. Street photography is about seeing, not gear. Learn your focal length inside and out. I shot nothing but 35mm for two years and it completely changed how I see compositions. The lens matters way less than you think it does.

RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro for me. Wide enough to capture the energy and context of street scenes, but not so wide that you get distortion. The fast aperture lets you work in challenging light, and it's small enough that you don't look like a tourist with a massive lens. Street photography is about being inconspicuous and this lens delivers.

I'd actually recommend the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L if budget allows, or the f/4L IS if you want something lighter. Street photography is unpredictable - sometimes you need wide for environmental shots, sometimes you need to reach for candids from a distance. Having that versatility in one lens keeps you ready for anything. Yes, it's bigger than a prime, but the flexibility is worth it IMO.

Ok so, basically, if youre serious about street stuff on the R8, you should honestly look into the DIY route of adapting vintage glass from some of the legacy manufacturers like Canon or some of the classic German brands. Going with any of the older manual focus primes from those lineups is honestly a game changer for the R8's full-frame sensor because you get that authentic character that modern clinical glass just lacks. Plus, you can do all the maintenance and service yourself—I mean, cleaning the internal elements or lubing the focus helicoid is actually super easy if you have the right spanner wrenches and technical docs. It really makes you understand the optical formula and the flange distance requirements way better. Honestly, just get any fast manual prime from those legacy brands and you cant go wrong, tbh. It forces you to learn the technical limits of your kit and the sensor's MTF potential, which is basically the best way to level up your street game anyway.

Hey! Had issues with the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro. Not as good as expected, unfortunately. But, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM (with adapter!) is surprisingly sharp and reliable. Still use mine after 8 years!