Ive been shooting with my R6 for about a year now and honestly its been a beast for event stuff but I really need to dial in my portrait game. I keep debating between grabbing the RF 85mm f/1.2 or just sticking with my old EF 85mm f/1.8 via the adapter. The 1.2 is obviously a dream but that price tag is hurting my soul right now and I have a few senior portrait gigs coming up in Seattle next month. My logic was that the sharpness might be overkill for skin textures, but then again, is it worth the investment for the bokeh alone? Im stuck. What are you guys using that actually hits the mark without breaking the bank?
Honestly, skip the 1.2 for now. I used to think I needed it, but the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is the real sweet spot for portraits. It is way sharper than the old EF version, and that built-in stabilization is a lifesaver in Seattle light. You get that creamy look without emptying your wallet. Seriously, just save the cash for more gear or travel.
Jumping in here to offer a different angle. Before you dump a fortune on the f/1.2 glass, are you mostly shooting outdoors for these senior gigs or are you planning to be in a studio setting? That changes everything. In my experience over the years, the massive aperture is fun, but the weight gets old fast if you're roaming around city locations. If you want that pro look without the financial hit, look at these:
- Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art for EF mount. It renders skin tones beautifully and honestly, the sharpness is perfect for portraits without being overly clinical.
- Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM if you can swing the budget. It offers better subject separation than the 85mm imo. Quick tip: prioritize focal length over raw aperture for senior stuff so you get better compression.
Ugh, the gear lust is real and honestly it sucks. I feel your pain so much on that price tag, it is actually physically painful looking at those bank statements after buying glass. I spent way too much time obsessing over the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM and eventually had to walk away for my own sanity because that kind of money can just vanish so fast. Quick tip: watch out for the weight if you are doing long shoots. Carrying that heavy stuff around all day for senior gigs in Seattle will wreck your back, so be careful. My back still hurts thinking about my old heavy setup. Also, make sure to keep a good filter on whatever you choose because a tiny scratch on high-end glass is basically a nightmare scenario that will haunt you forever. Just grab a decent B+W F-Pro 82mm MRC 010 UV Filter and keep it on there at all times. Honestly, I just keep using my old reliable stuff because the stress of dropping three grand on a lens is not worth the anxiety. I worry way too much about gear getting bumped or damaged at events, and I would be devastated if something happened to that L-series glass. Just keep your current setup and maybe put the cash into some better lighting or a solid backup body instead. It is just stressful thinking about these prices nowadays.
