14/08/2026
R50v as a travel camera… my thoughts.
I’ve had the R50v since June 2025, it’s mainly been used for a C cam or the wide on a podcast set up with two R5c’s and more recently two C50’s, plus an R5 Mk 1. The rest of the time it lives on my desk as a we**am.
It matches the C50s really well for the podcast set up. It also blows the R5 out of the water for this set up, as it takes minimal editing to match the C50’s. The R5 looks a lot different, but this is is expected.
I recently picked up a TT Artisan 25mm f/2 for it with the sole intention of using it while on a trip to Venice for family photos and happy snaps. It cost me £36 used on eBay.
In short, it did not disappoint.
I wanted to treat it like a point and shoot camera set up, so kept it on f/8 most of the time and tried to use the focus box range the best I could. I had a lot of out of focus shots, but what worked, worked well for what I wanted.
The lens seems to have a muted colour cast to it, which I loved. When I desaturated it slightly more, added some contrast and grain in light room it gave me the look I wanted.
For the price of the lens, it is great. Plus the size on the R50v is ideal IMO for an easy stylised travel cam set up.
AF would have been nice in some situations, but at this price point, I can’t fault it being a manual lens. I did miss the view finder, but that is the only real criticism I have of this combo.
