Im trying to pick a portrait lens for my R8 but Im stuck. I read the 85mm f2 is a solid budget choice, but then people keep pushing the 50mm f1.2 for the bokeh. My budget is around 800 bucks and I need this for a shoot in Philly next month. Is the 85mm actually sharp enough on full frame?
Building on the earlier suggestion, I was super nervous about picking my first portrait lens for the R8 too. I played it safe and grabbed the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM because the price is just right.
- It feels really sturdy
- Macro capabilities are a fun bonus
- Sharpness is amazing for portraits I love it for street shots in the city. You wont regret sticking to the budget and getting some extra cash for accessories!
Jumping in here just to say you definitely need to grab the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM for a shoot in a city like Philly! Its sharpness is absolutely mind-blowing for the price point. Shooting portraits at 85mm gives you that beautiful compression that makes facial features look so flattering, which is honestly hard to beat with a 50mm. You mentioned being worried about sharpness, but trust me, this glass is professional grade and captures incredible detail in the eyes and skin textures! Plus, having that macro capability is a huge bonus when you want to get some artistic detail shots of jewelry or textures during the session. Since you are working with an 800 dollar budget, this lens leaves you plenty of cash to pick up a solid SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card or maybe even a decent Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap to keep your R8 secure while you are wandering around locations. Taking the massive savings compared to an L-series prime is just a smart move that lets you reinvest into your craft. Seriously, you wont regret the build quality or the image quality here. It is honestly one of those rare value gems in the RF lineup that performs way above its weight class. Go for it and have a blast in Philly next month!
Honestly, skip the 50mm f/1.2 if your budget is capping out at 800 bucks. That lens is legendary but its gonna blow your budget entirely. Ive shot with the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for years now on my R8, and let me tell you, it is plenty sharp. People love to obsess over pixel peeping, but for portraits, the micro-contrast on this lens is great and the stabilization is a lifesaver when you're walking around Philly at night. Sure, the f/1.2 glass gives you that dreamy background melt, but the f/2 is way more versatile. It gives you a nice working distance so you aren't right in your subjects face, which honestly helps them relax a bit more during the shoot. If you really want that bokeh look, just make sure you put some distance between your subject and the background. If you absolutely have your heart set on something faster, look for a used Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art with an EF adapter. It weighs a ton compared to the RF version, but the rendering is top tier for portraiture. Just keep in mind the native RF 85mm f/2 is lighter for long days out in the city. Grab the RF f/2, spend the leftover cash on a nice strap or some extra batteries, and you'll be set for your shoot.