Sorry if this is a really dumb question but I am totally lost. My uncle literally just gave me his Canon R5 Mark II and I promised to take my sisters engagement photos next month. But it doesnt have a lens! I have no idea what to buy and I am kinda panicking.
I need a portrait lens with these constraints:
- Budget: under $1000 max
- Use case: outdoor couple portraits
- Location: Seattle (so probably overcast/rainy)
- Skill: absolute beginner, I dont know what I am doing
Which lens should I get that is easy to use but still looks amazing?
Id highly recommend looking at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. The 85mm focal length is basically the gold standard for portraits because it compresses the background and doesnt distort facial features. Since you are shooting in overcast Seattle, the f/2 aperture is fast enough to gather decent light, and you will get that nice, blurry background everyone loves. The killer feature for a beginner here is the built-in optical image stabilization. It gives you 5 stops of shake correction. When you combine that with the R5 II in-body stabilization, you can shoot at slower shutter speeds without getting blurry photos. The autofocus uses an STM motor which is slightly slower than USM lenses, but honestly it is more than fast enough for portraits. It lacks weather sealing though, so just grab a cheap rain cover for the Seattle drizzle.
Over the years, I've found weather sealing is vital.
- Get a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- It offers dust/moisture resistance and optical stabilization under $1000.
Regarding what #1 said about that 85mm, I totally agree it looks amazing! Just watch out because it lacks weather sealing, and Seattle drizzle can easily ruin that expensive R5 II!
