Whats the best budget portrait lens I can grab for my R8 and R10? Im really trying to stay under 400 bucks because I just dropped so much on the bodies. I keep seeing people swear by the RF 50mm 1.8 because its cheap, but I honestly find 50mm a little tight on the R10 crop sensor for indoor portraits. I looked into the RF 85mm f2 but that is definitely pushing my budget right now.
Is there anything else I should be checking out? Maybe an adapter situation or a third party brand that actually works well with the autofocus? Really need something for a family shoot in three weeks and im just kinda lost...
Honestly, I totally get the struggle with the 50mm on a crop sensor. I shot my niece's birthday last year with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM on my R10 and felt like I was constantly backing into walls just to get the framing right. Since you need something wider for indoors but don't want to break the bank, you have a few solid paths.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is honestly the sweet spot for indoor portraits on crop sensors. You get that extra breathing room and the macro capability is a nice bonus.
- Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM paired with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R works flawlessly. I was worried about AF performance initially but the focus is snappy and reliable. I ended up grabbing the 35mm f/1.8 and have been super satisfied with the results. It just works well for those tighter family spaces and you wont regret the extra width.
> I shot my niece's birthday last year with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM on my R10 and felt like I was constantly backing into walls just to get the framing right. @Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, I disagree that you absolutely need wider for indoors though. If you really want a solid portrait lens without spending a fortune, you gotta look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. It is an absolute beast for crop sensors like your R10. It gives you a roughly 48mm field of view, so it is super versatile for family shots where you dont have much room to move. The sharpness is honestly way better than the native entry-level glass. If you want that classic portrait look, look for a used Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. Just grab the basic Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and you are set. I know, I know, people say adapters are annoying but this specific lens is legendary for the price. It autofocuses fast on the R8 and R10, and the bokeh is way creamier than what you get from those cheaper 50mm options. I have been using that combo for years and have no complaints at all. You can usually find them dirt cheap on the used market. Basically, dont stress about the native RF glass yet. The EF glass works just as well and your wallet will definitely be happier.
