Is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM actually the best bang for my buck for portraits on my R10, or should I be looking at something else? I am so pumped to finally start doing some real portrait work with my R10 but the kit lens just isnt cutting it for that creamy background blur I really want. I am based in Chicago and I have about 300 bucks to spend max, though I really dont want to blow the whole budget if I dont have to since I need to pick up a decent tripod soon too.
Im currently torn between the nifty fifty, which is super cheap and small, or maybe hunting down a used RF 85mm f/2 Macro, though that one might be a bit too pricey. My cousin is getting married in three months so I need to get proficient fast so I can take some nice shots of the family at the rehearsal dinner. The crop factor on the R10 makes the 50mm act more like an 80mm which seems perfect for portraits but I keep reading mixed reviews about the autofocus speed on the RF version. Am I overthinking this or should I just grab the 50mm and call it a day...
Regarding what #2 said about grabbing the RF 50mm, I agree it is a safe bet, but watch your shutter speeds. Since the R10 lacks IBIS, you might get shake if you arent careful with handheld shots.
- Keep your shutter speed at least 1/125s to stay sharp.
- Save some cash for a Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod to keep things steady. Dont rush the learning curve before the wedding!
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and dont look back. For the money, its insane how much better it is than the kit lens for portraits. Since you are on an R10, that 50mm focal length turns into an 80mm equivalent, which is literally the sweet spot for flattering facial features. You get that background separation you are craving without needing to remortgage your house. Here is why you should just pull the trigger:
- The aperture is wide enough to melt backgrounds. It makes your subjects pop in a way the kit lens never will.
- Its super lightweight. You can shoot the rehearsal dinner all night without your wrists hating you.
- You will have plenty of cash left over for a solid tripod like the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod. You need stability for those group shots anyway. I wouldnt sweat the autofocus speed stuff. People love to nitpick online, but for a rehearsal dinner or general portraits, it works perfectly fine. It locks onto eyes well enough that you wont miss the shot. Just get it, learn how to handle the shallow depth of field, and enjoy taking photos of your family. You will have a blast and save enough money to get that gear you actually need for the wedding.
Honestly, you are totally overthinking the AF speed thing! I remember being so stressed about that when I first started upgrading my gear, but honestly my current setup has never let me down. I ended up getting a prime lens that acts like a short telephoto on my crop sensor body and the background separation is just absolutely insane. It totally transformed my shots for family events and I think you will be super happy with the results!