Finally upgraded to an R6 Mark II and I am seriously buzzing about it! Im ditching my old DSLR setup and want to start fresh with a dedicated portrait glass. My goal is to do more professional headshots and maybe some outdoor maternity shoots around Seattle by next spring, so I need something with that dreamy bokeh.
I have been scrolling through forums for days and its honestly making my head spin. I keep seeing people swear by the RF 85mm f/1.2 L because obviously the quality is insane, but the price tag is just way out of my league since I have about 1000 to 1500 bucks max to spend. I also looked at the RF 85mm f/2 macro, but some reviewers say the autofocus is kinda sluggish for moving subjects which makes me nervous. Is the RF 85mm f/2 actually fast enough for kids or should I be looking at a used EF 85mm 1.4 IS with the adapter instead? Or are there third party options I should be considering that dont require an adapter? I just want something sharp that wont break the bank before I even get my first real paying client...
Building on the earlier suggestion, have you looked at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for the E-mount? Wait, I forgot you're on Canon. Definitely check out the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM instead. It is honestly magical for portraits!
- insane sharpness
- buttery smooth bokeh
- fast focus for those wiggly kids It is just fantastic value compared to the RF version. You wont regret grabbing one, honestly.
> I have been scrolling through forums for days and its honestly making my head spin. I keep seeing people swear by the RF 85mm f/1.2 L because obviously the quality is insane, but the price tag is just way out of my league I totally get that. The f/1.2 is a beast but honestly, you dont need to drop that kind of money to get professional results. If you want that dreamy look without going broke, look at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. Sure, the focus motor isnt as snappy as an L-series lens, but for headshots and maternity, you really dont need lightning speed. It holds its own perfectly fine. Since you mentioned avoiding adapters, another solid path is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony E-mount... wait, actually scratch that, since you have an R6, stick to native glass or the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. The EF 1.4 L is still arguably one of the best portrait lenses ever made. It hits that sweet spot of sharpness and micro-contrast that just makes skin tones pop. If you want a modern native option without the L-series tax, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is definitely your best bet. Its light, sharp, and the stabilization is a lifesaver for those overcast Seattle days when you dont want to crank the ISO.
Honestly, I used the EF glass for ages before jumping to RF. The adapter works flawlessly, and it saved me so much cash while I was building up my client list.
