Honestly, I've been lugging around heavy glass for years and while the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM is basically the holy grail of portrait lenses, your back and wallet will definitely feel it. On the R6, you don't necessarily need that insane sharpness just to satisfy the sensor, but you're really paying for that specific look - that buttery smooth background that just melts away. If you're worried about the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM being too clinical, you're kinda right. It's a fantastic lens for the money, but it doesn't have that same soul or depth. It feels more like a utility tool than an art piece... basically a macro lens trying to moonlight as a portrait lens. Heres what I've learned over the years about choosing between these:

• The f1.2 is a forever lens. Buy it once, use it for a decade, and itll still be top tier.
• If weight is a dealbreaker, check out the Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM. Its a bit more versatile for an anniversary shoot where you might be indoors or in tighter spaces.
• Dont sleep on the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG HSM Art EF mount used with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Its still bulky but the bokeh is way better than the f2 RF prime. In my experience, if you're doing something important like a family anniversary, that extra stop of light and the rendering from the 1.2 gives you that professional edge. If you can rent it first to see if you can handle the weight, do that. Youll probably fall in love with the images and figure out the budget later... thats usually how it goes for me anyway.

> Is the 1.2 worth that massive price jump on R6 sensor? I would suggest being very cautious with those ultra-fast primes. From an ergonomic standpoint, the weight imbalance on a body like the R6 causes significant wrist fatigue during long sessions. Make sure to account for the razor-thin depth of field tho; its extremely easy to miss focus on the eyes if the subject moves even slightly. Honestly, sometimes that extra stop just isnt worth the trade-off...

^ This. Also, I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree that it's just about the sensor or the bokeh. It feels like we're all just chasing ghosts sometimes and it's kind of a bummer how much the prices have spiked lately. Unfortunately, I've had issues with focusing way too much on the glass and losing the plot entirely. It reminds me of my brothers vow renewal a few years back. I was so obsessed with getting the right look that I spent the whole morning arguing with a rental house over some tiny technicality. By the time I got to the ceremony, I was so frazzled I forgot to even take the lens cap off for the first few minutes. It turned into this whole ordeal with the mother-in-law getting annoyed that I was fiddling with gadgets instead of capturing the moment. Total disaster. But stay positive, you're gonna do great regardless...

> Is the 1.2 worth that massive price jump on R6 sensor? Jumping in here... I went through this exact same internal debate. Ended up getting the Canon RF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM and I am honestly so happy with how it performs. It feels much more balanced on my R6 than the big 1.2 ever would, and the autofocus is just super reliable for moving subjects like people walking or dancing. If you are worried about the look of the f2, you should check out Dustin Abbotts website or the side-by-side comparison tool on The Digital Picture. They have great samples of the bokeh rendering for most RF glass. I found that the 100mm L has a much nicer creamy quality to it than the cheaper 85mm, plus you get that SA control ring to soften things up if you want. Also, definitely look into the Canon Refurbished store if you wanna save a few hundred bucks. I got mine there and it looks brand new. Let me know if you want more info on it, happy to help you figure out the best fit!