Honestly im just so fed up with my current setup right now. I have been trying to shoot these senior portraits for my cousins graduation next month and the results are just not cutting it. I keep using my kit lens and it feels like every single shot is soft or just lacking that creamy background separation I keep seeing everywhere else. My Canon EOS R is supposed to be this amazing camera but lately I feel like I cant get a decent photo to save my life. I have maybe 800 bucks to spend and Im really starting to panic because the session is in three weeks and I feel like a total amateur.
Everything I try to do with the background blur just ends up looking flat or busy and honestly Im just ready to throw the whole bag in the closet. Am I doing something wrong with my settings or is the lens just that bad? I really dont want to spend a fortune on the L series glass if I dont have to but I need something that actually makes the subject pop. I shoot mostly in my backyard in Florida where the lighting is super harsh and difficult to manage so I need something that can handle those tough conditions without giving me a headache.
Should I just bite the bullet and get the RF 85mm f2 or is there some other secret option I should be looking at? I need to get this sorted out fast because if I turn in blurry photos for this family favor im gonna lose my mind...
Ditch the kit lens immediately, its totally holding you back. I struggled with the same softness for years until I switched to a prime. For that budget, you honestly cant go wrong with these:
- Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM
- Sharp, great compression for portraits
- Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM
- Cheap, tiny, super bright Go for the 85mm if you want that creamy background blur, its a game changer for senior shots.
Regarding what #1 said about ditching the kit lens, its spot on. Unfortunately, the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM focus is slow. Check out the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art instead.
Regarding what #1 and #2 said, definitely grab the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM. That compression makes a huge difference for backyard portraits and the sharpness is legit.