What is the best all-around prime lens for a Canon EOS R5?

Street photography usually requires being discreet. Using huge, expensive glass like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM makes you a target and causes gear-dropping fatigue. Respectfully, I'd suggest the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It's about $170, super light, and I'm honestly satisfied with the results. TL;DR: Go with the budget 50mm. It's way safer for travel and won't kill your wrists.

In my experience, you’re basically choosing between a technical powerhouse and a practical tool. For your situation, I’d suggest the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM. I’ve tried many setups over the years, and while the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is literally one of the best pieces of glass ever made, it’s a total brick for street photography. You’ll definitely stick out like a sore thumb and get gear fatigue pretty fast... The 35mm isn’t quite as sharp at the edges as the L-series glass, but it still resolves well enough for that 45MP sensor if you stop down a bit. Plus, the 0.5x macro is lowkey amazing for travel details. Market-wise, the 50mm L is the 'prestige' choice, but for a permanent fixture? The 35mm is way more versatile for environmental portraits and tight streets. Honestly, the best lens is the one you dont leave at the hotel because it’s too heavy lol. Go with the 35mm tho. Cheers!

Can vouch for this

I'm actually going to offer a different take on this. I've been shooting with the R5 for a few years now, and while the budget STM lenses are okay, they don't really do justice to that 45MP sensor long-term. Tbh, the chromatic aberration and slower focus on the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM can be pretty frustrating for professional-looking travel shots when you start cropping in. If you want a permanent fixture, I'd seriously suggest checking out the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM. It's a newer lens that sits right in the middle of your two options. It's much lighter and more compact than the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM but still offers that professional L-series rendering and way better weather sealing for travel. Here's why I'd invest in the L glass over the budget versions:

• Better flare resistance for those golden hour portraits
• Much faster autofocus tracking for street photography
• It's built like a tank for long-term durability It's priced around $1,499. If you've already invested in an R5, you might eventually regret going for the entry-level glass once you notice the soft edges on a high-res sensor. The 35mm 1.4L is the real sweet spot for weight and quality.

Yo, congrats on the R5! Honestly, that 45MP sensor is a beast, so you gotta make sure your glass can actually keep up. Basically, high-res sensors reveal every tiny flaw in a lens... it’s all about 'resolving power.' If the glass isn't sharp, those megapixels are kinda wasted lol. For your situation, I would suggest the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. While the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is optically perfect, it’s literally a heavy brick for street photography and costs wayyy too much ($2,299!). Here is what I recommend for staying on budget:
* Price: The 35mm is a steal at around $499.
* Portability: It’s super light (305g) vs the massive L series.
* Macro: The 0.5x magnification is great for travel details. Just be careful cuz the 35mm isn't weather-sealed like L glass. But yeah, you save tons of money and ur back wont hurt... gl!

> Basically, high-res sensors reveal every tiny flaw in a lens... +1 to what was said earlier. Resolving power basically determines if those 45 megapixels actually look sharp or just messy. While the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a total beast, it's also like, way too heavy and expensive for street photography. I think the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is a better value choice. It's way lighter for travel and the built-in IS reallyyy helps keep high-res shots crisp!! peace

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