Ugh, Im losing my mind trying to pick a lens for my Canon R6. I have a wedding coming up in three weeks in Seattle and I really need something solid for portraits, but the options are just killing my brain right now. I keep bouncing back and forth and cant seem to pull the trigger on anything because everything is so expensive.
Basically Im torn between three choices and I feel like if I pick the wrong one Ill regret it forever:
- RF 85mm f/1.2 L: Everyone says this is the king, but damn, the price is insane. I dont know if I can justify spending that much money right now.
- RF 85mm f/2 Macro: Much more budget friendly, which I like, but is the autofocus gonna be fast enough for a wedding? I dont want to miss shots.
- RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L: It gives me versatility, but is it sharp enough for portraits compared to the primes?
My budget is around 2k max, maybe a tiny bit more if its really worth it, but I really dont want to go overboard. I also live in a tiny apartment so I dont want a massive bag full of glass, I need to keep my kit somewhat portable since I travel a lot for these shoots. Im just so frustrated because I read one review saying the f/2 is fine then another saying the bokeh isnt 'pro' enough. Is the f/1.2 really that much better, or are people just flexing their gear? I feel like my head is gonna explode from reading these forums all night. Has anyone actually used these side by side for real portrait work or am I just overthinking this whole thing...
Regarding what #1 said about not stressing, I wish I could say the same, but unfortunately I have had issues with gear failing during high-stakes shoots. I used the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for a gig once and the autofocus hunting was honestly a nightmare in low light. It just missed focus way more than I expected, and it wasnt as sharp as my old EF glass. If you want to keep your kit portable but reliable, here is my take:
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is the real workhorse. It is sharp enough, and frankly, the versatility saves your butt when you cant move around much during a wedding ceremony.
- The f/1.2 is legendary, but it is heavy and slow to focus compared to modern standards. It is more for studio work, not running around a wedding venue. Save the headache and grab the zoom. You really dont want to be swapping lenses while missing shots.
Honestly, stop stressing. You are definitely overthinking this, especially with a wedding coming up. The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM is incredible, sure, but it is heavy, expensive, and frankly overkill for most weddings unless you are shooting in a dimly lit cathedral. If you are worried about your kit weight and budget, skip it. Here is how I would break it down for your R6:
- The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is actually a solid performer. The autofocus is decent for portraits, just don't expect it to track a fast-moving kid running at you. For posed wedding shots, it is perfectly fine.
- The Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM is the real workhorse. If you only have one lens, this is it. It gives you the flexibility to go from wide shots to tight portraits without swapping glass in a dusty wedding venue. If I were you, I would grab the 24-70mm and maybe save for a prime later. You wont notice the difference in bokeh during a busy wedding day as much as you will notice missing a shot because you were busy changing lenses. The sharpness on that L series zoom is more than enough for professional work. Don't fall into the gear acquisition trap, just get the zoom and start shooting.
> Regarding what #2 said about the autofocus hunting being a nightmare, man, I felt that in my soul. I honestly have the same gear anxiety. I spent weeks losing sleep over specs before a big shoot, totally paralyzed by the price tags and the fear of missing the shot. It feels like every forum post just adds another layer of doubt, right? I remember lugging around a bag that was way too heavy, thinking more glass meant better photos, but it just ended up being a giant pain in the neck. Honestly, don't rush into buying anything just to fix the panic. I've definitely made that mistake before, buying gear I didnt really need just because some stranger online said it was essential. Take a breath, because the gear obsession is a total rabbit hole that never really ends.