I just got the R8 a few weeks ago because I finally wanted to move up to full frame for my sisters wedding in July but man picking a lens is driving me absolutely insane. I spent like four hours last night looking at reviews and now I'm more confused than when I started. I was looking at that RF 85mm f2 because everyone says its the go-to for portraits on a budget but then I saw a bunch of comments saying the autofocus is loud and slow and that it hunts a lot in low light which is basically all I'll be dealing with at the reception.
Then I thought okay maybe the 50mm 1.8 is fine since its so cheap but I'm worried it's not gonna give me that really creamy bokeh I'm looking for or that it'll feel too normal for tight shots. My budget is pretty firm at under $500-600 since the body was already a lot for me and I really don't want to mess with adapters and heavy old EF glass if I can avoid it. I just want one solid lens that stays on the camera and actually makes people look good without me having to fiddle with settings for ten minutes while the moment passes. Is the 85mm really that slow or is there something else I'm missing for the R8?
@Reply #2 - good point! though I actually disagree about the 85mm being too slow or loud for a wedding. I've been using it for a while now and I'm honestly super satisfied with the results... it really just works well once you get the hang of it. If you're coming from an older setup, even the "slow" RF glass feels like a total upgrade on that R8 sensor.
- Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM: This is definitely the one I'd grab. The 85mm focal length is way more flattering for faces than a 50mm. People talk about the motor noise, but at a reception with music and people talking? You wont hear a thing. I have no complaints about the sharpness either.
- Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM: It is super snappy and light, but the bokeh can be kinda nervous looking. For a wedding, you want that creamy background and this lens just doesnt deliver it as well as the 85mm does.
- Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro IS STM: Great for wide shots of the venue, but you gotta be careful with close-ups because it can distort features a bit. Basically, dont let the internet scare you off the 85mm. Just flip that limiter switch like the other person said and you'll be fine. It stays on my camera for almost every portrait session because it's just a solid, reliable piece of kit. Let me know if you need more tips on the R8 settings! You're gonna have a blast shooting that wedding.
Totally agree. In my experience, the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM hunts way less with the limiter switch on, but the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is way snappier if you're worried.
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I have been following the RF lens lineup closely and its truly fantastic how much performance we get for the price now, you are gonna love it! Regarding your concerns about the autofocus reliability for a wedding, I highly recommend checking out some of the benchmarking tools on sites like The Digital Picture or the reviews by Dustin Abbott. They provide an amazing level of methodical detail on motor speed and low-light hunting that is really hard to find elsewhere... it is way more reliable than just relying on random opinions and it will show you exactly how it performs on the Canon EOS R8 sensor. I do have a question about the wedding logistics tho... how much room will you actually have to move around at the reception? If the venue is gonna be super cramped, a longer focal length might be tricky to use no matter how good the autofocus is, so that is definitely worth considering before you decide.
Yo! Huge congrats on picking up the R8! Honestly, you are gonna love that sensor once you get it out on the field... it is a total beast for the price and the autofocus is usually fantastic! I totally get the lens paralysis tho, it happens to literally everyone when they first jump into full frame. I have spent way too many nights staring at spec sheets myself and honestly it just makes your head spin after a while. Weddings are a whole different ballgame. Receptions are usually basically caves with zero light, and nothing is worse than that feeling when your gear is just hunting back and forth while everyone is dancing and you're just standing there missing the shots! I have been there and it is the absolute worst. Since you're on a strict budget and want to avoid those chunky adapters, we gotta be really careful about what you pick for that wedding. Before I give you my go-to choice, I really need to know one thing... how do you actually like to frame your shots? Like, are you the type who wants to stay back in the shadows and grab candid shots from across the room, or are you planning on being right in the middle of the action on the dance floor? Also, is the ceremony inside a dark church or is it an outdoor thing? Knowing your distance and light will help me give you the best advice!
