Ask Lemmy

I'm a complete beginner with no photography experience but excited to get into it.

Budget: ~$500

Needs: High quality macro of all kinds (my main purpose for getting a camera in the first place). Secondary: portraits (full body / upper body). Tertiary to those is versatility for everything else as it's going to be the only lens for the foreseeable future. I'd also love for the lens to have all the latest features like autofocus and the such (if there's anything else).

I've done some research around macro RF lenses for R50 (ASP-C cropped sensor) and among the 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm it seems 35mm stands out the most for the above needs but since I'm on a tight budget, I need quality advice to make sure I'm not making a mistake here.

I know Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is better due to 1:1, but it wouldn't be as versatile as 35mm and thus annoying to use for anything other than macro due to the effective 160mm on the crop lense, right?

I could theoretically get used lenses but it's difficult where I live. The EF to RF adapter would have to be without the ring (too expensive otherwise), and I might have real trouble finding the suggested proper older EF (or third party) lens. Plus, most used lenses here aren't much cheaper, even the really old ones, and I really doubt they'd be in good condition either. But for a really good recommendation I might consider it.