Im getting super frustrated trying to find a decent portrait lens for my R50. I've been shooting with the kit lens for a while now and I get the basics of exposure and focal length, but the bokeh just isnt cutting it for the shoots I have coming up next month. My logic was that since I'm on a crop sensor, I could just grab the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM because it is cheap and everyone raves about it. But then I started reading about the crop factor and how that 50mm turns into like an 80mm equivalent, which is fine for portraits, but I feel like I might be missing out on something better.
My budget is strictly under 300 bucks right now because I blew most of my cash on a new lighting setup. I considered looking for used EF glass and just using the adapter, but I dont know if that is gonna be too bulky for my R50 body. It feels like I am stuck between getting something native that is kinda slow or hunting for an adapter solution that might ruin the balance. Has anyone actually tried using the 50mm f/1.8 on an R10 or R50 for headshots? Does it focus fast enough or am I going to be dealing with hunting issues all day...
Late to the party but honestly skip the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Its noisy and slow. Try finding a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary instead. Much sharper optics.
Honestly, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is totally fine for the R50. Yeah, it acts like an 80mm, but that is actually super flattering for headshots. The focus is quick enough for stills, just dont expect miracle speeds in low light. Using the adapter with older EF glass is way too bulky for that tiny body anyway. Stick with the native lens and keep your setup light.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I totally get why you're worried about the balance of that adapter. Putting a bulky EF lens on a tiny R50 body feels like holding a brick attached to a toy, tbh. I've spent years messing with adapters and honestly, it just makes the camera feel awkward in the hand for long shoots. If you want to stay lightweight and avoid the focus hunt, here is what I think based on my own setup:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is cheap and does the job, but it struggles in dim rooms. It is fine for headshots if your subjects are standing still, but don't expect pro-level speed.
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is the real winner. It feels so much better on the crop sensor and the low light performance is way ahead of the Canon nifty fifty.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is another cheap option, but skip it for portraits. The distortion on faces at that focal length is brutal and you'll end up spending hours in post fixing noses. Save yourself the headache and just stick to native RF-S glass if you can. The weight difference is huge and you wont have to deal with the adapter play or potential electrical issues. If your budget is tight, look for a refurbished copy of the 30mm or just wait a few weeks to save the extra cash. It is worth it to avoid the frustration later on.
Just saw this thread and honestly, stop stressing about the gear. I have been shooting portraits for years on tiny crop bodies and the obsession with adapters is just gonna give you a headache. Regarding what #3 said about building on the earlier suggestion, I totally get why you want to avoid the bulk. Dealing with an adapter on a small camera like the R50 is a nightmare for ergonomics because the center of gravity shifts too far forward, making the whole rig feel front-heavy and unstable during long sessions. In my experience, sticking to native glass is the only way to maintain the reliability you actually need for client work. You should just look for any fast prime from Sigma. They make incredible glass for these mirrorless systems that feels way more robust than the entry-level plastic stuff. Pick up any of their wide-aperture primes and you wont look back. The autofocus speed on their contemporary line is snappy enough for headshots and the optics are just worlds better than what you get with those cheap native pancake lenses. Keep it simple and just shoot.