Why I Bought the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM
One of the fun parts about photography is that every piece of gear has the potential to change the way you shoot. Not because it's better than what you already have, but because it encourages you to photograph differently.
Today, my Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM lens arrived, and while it's one of the smallest lenses Canon makes for the RF system, I have a feeling it's going to become one of the most-used pieces of gear in my camera bag.
A Different Kind of Lens
Over the past few months, I've realized something: I don't necessarily want to carry less camera, I just want to carry a smaller camera.
I recently added a second Canon EOS R6 Mark II to my kit, which gives me the flexibility of having two camera bodies ready to go. That got me thinking about how often I actually carry one with me outside of client work. The answer was... not very often. Not because I don't want to photograph everyday life, but because a full-frame camera paired with a larger lens isn't always something I want hanging from my shoulder while I'm running errands, meeting friends, or taking a walk.
That's where this little pancake lens comes in.
Why a Pancake Lens?
The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is often called a pancake lens because of how incredibly thin it is.
Once it's mounted, the camera suddenly feels much less like a professional setup and much more like something you're happy to carry around for the day. It slips into a smaller bag, attracts less attention, and removes a lot of the friction that sometimes comes with bringing a camera everywhere. For me, that's the entire point. I'm not buying this lens because it's going to replace the lenses I use for weddings, events, or wildlife photography. I'm buying it because I want fewer excuses to leave my camera at home.
Photographing Everyday Life
One of the things I've been thinking about lately is how much I enjoy photographing ordinary moments. Not everything needs to be a client session. Not every outing needs to become a full production. Some of my favorite photographs are simply reminders of where I was, who I was with, or something interesting I happened to notice while walking around. That's the kind of photography I want this lens to encourage.
I want to throw one of my R6 Mark II bodies over my shoulder before heading out the door without having to think twice about it. Whether I'm grabbing coffee, exploring Pittsburgh, visiting Erie, traveling, or just sitting on my balcony watching birds, I want photography to feel more spontaneous.
A New Creative Challenge
Another reason I was drawn to a 28mm lens is that it isn't a focal length I use very often. Most of my photography has been done with zoom lenses or longer focal lengths. A fixed 28mm lens means I'll have to move my feet, think differently about composition, and become more intentional with every frame. I actually enjoy that challenge.
Every new piece of gear teaches you something, and sometimes the lesson has nothing to do with the gear itself. Sometimes it's simply about seeing familiar places from a different perspective. I'm looking forward to spending time with a focal length that's a little outside my comfort zone and seeing how it influences the way I photograph everyday life.
More Camera, Less Hesitation
I think this lens represents something bigger than just another purchase. Lately, I've been making an effort to carry a camera more often instead of relying entirely on my phone. Not because phone cameras aren't good, but because carrying a dedicated camera changes the way I observe the world. I slow down. I pay attention to light. I notice details I probably would have walked right past otherwise.
My hope is that this little lens removes enough barriers that bringing my camera becomes second nature.
If it's easier to carry, I'll probably carry it. If I carry it, I'll probably use it. And if I use it more, I'll keep growing as a photographer.
That's a pretty good investment, in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the most exciting piece of gear isn't the biggest, fastest, or most expensive. Sometimes it's the one that quietly fits into your everyday life and makes you want to pick up your camera more often.
I don't expect this lens to completely change my photography overnight. What I do hope is that it changes my habits. I hope it encourages me to bring a camera on ordinary days, document moments I might have otherwise overlooked, and continue building the habit of photographing life as it happens.
I'm also hoping it helps me share more consistently. One of my goals has been to post on Instagram more often, and having a lightweight setup that I actually want to carry with me makes that feel much more achievable. The more I have my camera with me, the more opportunities I'll have to create, tell stories, and share moments that might have otherwise gone undocumented.
At the end of the day, that's really why I bought this lens. Not because I needed another piece of gear, but because I wanted another reason to keep creating.