Im shooting my sisters wedding in October and need to upgrade my glass. Been using my kit lens for way too long and it just isnt cutting it for the portraits. I have about 1200 bucks to spend and I am stuck between the RF 85mm f/2 and picking up a used EF 85mm f/1.2 or 1.4 with the adapter. I read that the RF f/2 is super sharp but the bokeh might not be as dreamy as those L series primes. Then I saw a thread where someone said the EF 85mm 1.4 is the sweet spot but Im worried about how it balances on the R6 body since the adapter adds bulk. My logic was that native RF would be smarter for future-proofing, but everyone on the forums seems to swear by those old EF lenses. Has anyone here actually compared the two on the R6 for wedding work? Im kinda nervous about missing focus with an adapted lens in lower light too. Really dont want to blow my budget on something I end up having to manual focus all day...
TL;DR: Skip the adapter and grab the native glass. Honestly, just get the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. The focus speed is snappy and the sharpness is honestly insane for the price. Adapting those old EF lenses is just extra weight you dont need to haul around a wedding all day. The stabilization is a lifesaver for low light shots too. You wont regret sticking native!
Saw this earlier but just now getting to a keyboard. Honestly, I spent ages debating the same thing before I realized that wedding days are just brutal on your gear. Like someone mentioned, the native glass is lighter, and when you are running around a reception for six hours, that weight adds up fast. I used to use the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM with the adapter, and while the bokeh is absolutely stunning, that setup is front-heavy on the R6. It threw off my balance during long portrait sessions and made my wrist sore by the time the dance floor opened. If I could go back, I would focus on getting the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM and maybe putting the leftover cash toward a solid flash or some backup SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I cards. You really dont want to be messing with an adapter mid-ceremony if it acts up. Also, watch out for the aperture on the RF lens; it is plenty sharp but be careful with your shutter speed in really dark venues since you lose that extra bit of light compared to the 1.4. Just make sure you practice your eye-tracking settings before the big day, as that will save you way more than a wider aperture ever could.
> I have about 1200 bucks to spend and I am stuck between the RF 85mm f/2 and picking up a used EF 85mm f/1.2 or 1.4 Honestly, I prefer the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for wedding work because the weight balance on the R6 is perfect. The STM motor is consistent and quiet. If you want that L-series look without the adapter bulk, you could also look at the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM if you can find a used deal, but the f/2 is super reliable for sharp portraits.
