I love fast 135mm lenses—but the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM sits at around $2,300, and I’m not interested in selling a kidney for a lens. I’m also pretty averse to burdening myself with heavy, expensive gear while traveling. So the workaround, at least for how I shoot, is simple: a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM picked up used for about $300, mounted on a crop body. It becomes a kind of “poor man’s 135mm”—a fraction of the cost, easier on the back and shoulder, and, as this image shows, more than capable.

Canon’s RF system already has some remarkable lenses, but one category still feels oddly unfinished: the lightweight, budget-friendly telephoto zoom for full-frame photographers who want speed without carrying a massive professional lens. Right now the lineup jumps from compact consumer zooms straight to the big 70–200mm f/2.8 class. Those lenses are fantastic, but they are expensive, heavy, and simply more equipment than many photographers want to carry every day. What is missing is a practical middle ground.

Running two cameras has become my way of keeping photography practical. One body carries a wider lens, the other stays ready for reach, and suddenly the whole workflow becomes smoother. No frantic lens swapping, no heavy bag filled with glass, just two cameras that together cover the real situations photographers actually encounter. For me that pairing is the Canon R8 and the Canon R100. One full-frame body for versatility and low-light capability, one lightweight crop body for reach and mobility.

Some lenses age poorly. Others become oddly relevant years later. The Sigma 50–150mm f/2.8 for Canon APS-C cameras belongs firmly in the second category. It was designed during the DSLR era, yet its concept fits almost perfectly with today’s mirrorless APS-C systems. The key version worth talking about is the non-stabilized Sigma 50–150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM. This lens weighed roughly 770 grams, which immediately tells you what Sigma was trying to achieve: a professional constant-aperture telephoto built specifically for crop sensors, but without the bulk of a traditional 70–200mm f/2.

Portrait photographers run into this comparison sooner or later because on paper the math looks simple. An 85mm lens on an APS-C crop camera produces roughly the same field of view as a 135mm lens on a full-frame body. So framing the subject — head and shoulders portrait for example — ends up looking almost identical. Stand at roughly the same distance, frame the same composition, and the scene inside the frame feels very similar.

When it comes to choosing between two used cameras, the decision can feel like a tug-of-war between performance, features, and value. In my case, the choice is between the full-frame Canon RP, priced at $570, and the APS-C Canon R100, available for just $230. While both cameras belong to Canon’s RF ecosystem, they cater to vastly different needs, making this comparison a blend of technical trade-offs and practical considerations. The Canon RP, launched as an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, marked a significant moment for affordable full-frame photography.

I took this photo on a quiet indoor afternoon, no plan behind it, just light falling nicely and an orchid doing its thing by the window. The flowers are pale pink with those fine purple veins that always look a bit unreal, like someone traced them with a pencil after the fact. The light comes from the right, soft and diffused, wrapping gently around the petals and letting the background fall away.

Canon’s crop mode is often introduced through numbers—crop factors, megapixels, percentages—but that framing misses what photographers actually feel when they flip it on. The defining experience is visual. The moment crop mode is engaged, the viewfinder tightens, distractions fall away, and the subject steps forward with a confidence that feels unmistakably telephoto. Nothing about the lens changes, no digital zoom is applied, yet the camera behaves as if the focal length itself has grown.

The Weight of Canon’s R-Series: From Featherlight APS-C to Full-Frame Heavyweights Weight is one of those specs that photographers often glance over—until they’re halfway through a long day of shooting and their neck strap is digging in. Canon’s R-series is fascinating because it runs the spectrum, from ultra-light beginner models to professional full-frame bodies with real heft. Looking at just the body-only weights, the differences paint a clear picture of who each camera was designed for.

Choosing the right camera can be daunting, especially when comparing closely related models like the Canon R100, R50, and R10. Each model is designed to cater to different types of photographers and videographers, with unique strengths tailored to various priorities. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide. The Canon R100 is equipped with an older 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 8 image processor. While its image quality for still photography is solid, its processing capabilities lag behind newer models, limiting its performance in video recording and advanced features.

The ongoing debate between full-frame and APS-C cameras often centers around performance, but a deeper dive reveals a far more nuanced picture—especially when cost is factored in. The misconception that full-frame cameras are inherently superior has led many photographers and videographers to make decisions based on incomplete or misleading information. It’s time to debunk some of these myths and highlight why APS-C cameras, paired with a new generation of highly capable, low-cost lenses, offer an unbeatable value proposition for those looking to maximize their creative potential without overspending.

For photographers looking to explore creative potential without a hefty price tag, the combination of the Canon R100 camera and the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2 APS-C lens represents a budget-friendly entry into the world of impressive imagery. With a combined price of around $400 at BH Photo—$300 for a brand-new Canon R100 and just $100 for the TTArtisan lens—this duo provides a remarkably affordable pathway to high-quality, expressive photography. The Canon R100, with its compact, lightweight design, offers an appealing entry into Canon’s mirrorless system.

Budget plays a crucial role when deciding between APS-C, full-frame, and medium format cameras, as the costs can vary dramatically with each type. APS-C sensors are the most budget-friendly option, making them an excellent choice for beginners, hobbyists, and those looking to capture quality images without significant financial commitment. The camera bodies and lenses designed for APS-C are often more affordable and compact, offering great value for general photography, travel, and casual shooting.