Ive been shooting with my R8 for about six months now and honestly Im loving the sensor performance, especially compared to my old 6D. Ive mostly been sticking to the kit lens and a manual focus 50mm I had lying around, but the lack of autofocus is killing me during shoots. My sister is getting married in September and asked me to handle some of the portraits, so I really need something reliable and sharp that wont break the bank.
Im trying to keep this under 600 bucks if possible. I know the RF 85mm f/2 is the obvious choice but I keep reading mixed reviews about the hunting issues when shooting wide open. Is it worth tracking down an EF version and using the adapter instead? Or should I just bite the bullet and get the RF 85 even with the slow focus? I shoot mostly in my living room studio or outdoors in the park nearby so I dont need crazy weather sealing or anything. Just want some nice bokeh for these portraits without spending a fortune. Does anyone have experience using the EF 85mm 1.8 with the R8 adapter? Does the AF hold up okay?
> I keep reading mixed reviews about the hunting issues when shooting wide open. Is it worth tracking down an EF version and using the adapter instead? Honestly, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is way better for focus speed. I used it on my R8 and unfortunately the RF version was not as good as expected with the hunting. Save the cash and grab the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R instead.
Just checking in, have you considered the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM instead? It is super sharp and affordable. How much space do you actually have in that living room setup?
@Reply #2 - good point! honestly just grab the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art used if you can find one, it beats the native glass for portrait work every time.
Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, if you want something reliable for a wedding, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is actually a super solid backup for the R8. It might be a bit wider than your typical portrait lens, but the autofocus is snappy and the built-in stabilization is a total lifesaver if your hands shake at all. I wouldnt stress too much about the hunting issues on the 85mm. If you really want that compression, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is decent enough as long as you dont expect L-series speed. It gets the job done for most indoor shoots. Just make sure you update your firmware on the body, it helps a bit with focus consistency. Whatever you pick, just do a few practice runs before the wedding day so you arent fumbling with settings when it counts.