So I finally picked up an R8 and I'm literally so excited to start shooting portraits with it!! My sisters backyard wedding is in like three weeks and I really need a solid prime lens before then. Im stuck between the RF 85mm f/2 and the 50mm f/1.8. My logic was that the 85mm would give me that killer background blur but I'm kinda worried it might be too long for a smaller backyard setting? But then the 50mm is so cheap and leaves me money for extra batteries... my budget is around $550 max. Is the 85mm actually worth the extra cash for portraits or should I just stick with the nifty fifty?...
Just catching up on this thread and honestly, you're getting some solid advice here. Re: In my experience, the Canon RF 85mm f/2... I am extremely satisfied with that lens's performance on the R8. Last year I shot a garden party for a friend and the way it handles subject separation is just beautiful. Ngl, the technical specs on the RF glass are impressive even for the entry level stuff.
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: It has a 9-blade diaphragm which keeps the bokeh circles round even when stopped down. I have no complaints about the sharpness, though the autofocus can hunt slightly because of the macro range.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: This works well for those environmental shots where you want to show the wedding decor. It's actually my go-to for tighter gatherings when I dont have room to back up.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Very light and the 0.17m minimum focus distance is decent, but it lacks the specialized coatings found on the more expensive primes. If the backyard has at least 15-20 feet of clearance, the 85mm is definitely worth the extra cash for the compression it gives facial features.
Re: "Just catching up on this thread and honestly,..."
- I totally agree with the space concerns! Backyards get crowded fast once people start dancing. If I were in your shoes, I'd go for the budget-friendly route for max reliability. Grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM right now because it's so cheap and honestly fantastic for the price! Then, use the rest of your $550 to pick up the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM refurbished or on sale. Having two lenses is so much safer than putting all your eggs in one basket for a wedding! It gives you a wider option for group shots which you'll definitely need in a cramped yard. Plus, you'll still have plenty of leftover cash for a few Canon LP-E17 Lithium-Ion Battery spares. It's the ultimate low-risk setup for such an amazing event!
In my experience, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is the superior choice for portraits. I've shot many weddings over the years and having Image Stabilization is a huge safety net for reliability. Backyards can be tight tho. The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is safer if space is a concern, but the 85mm is definitely worth the cash for the optics alone.
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
