So I just bought this Canon EOS R5 because everyone said it was the best but honestly I have no idea how to even use it properly yet. My sisters getting married in Austin next month and she wants me to take some nice pictures of her in her dress but all I have is the lens it came with and it looks kinda flat. I keep seeing people talk about 85mm or something called a prime lens? I have like $1200 saved up for a lens but there are so many options and the numbers just confuse me. Sorry if this is a super basic question but whats the best one for those blurry backgrounds everyone likes?
Honestly, you picked a killer camera. The R5 is basically a cheat code for good photos once you get the hang of it. That flat look you're seeing is probably because the kit lens doesn't have a wide enough aperture to give you that creamy bokeh everyone loves. Since your sisters getting married in Austin soon, you definitely want something that can handle lower light and make her pop from the background. I have been shooting with Canon for years and I am super satisfied with the RF glass. To get those blurry backgrounds, look for a prime lens. It doesn't zoom. Because they don't zoom, they can have much wider apertures. Small numbers like f/1.8 or f/2 are what you want for that blur. 85mm is basically the gold standard for weddings because it doesn't distort peoples faces.
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is my top pick for you. It is well under your budget, very sharp, and the focal length is perfect for flattering portraits.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is also worth grabbing. It is tiny, super cheap, and great for full-body shots when you dont have a ton of room to back up.
- If you want to spend the whole $1200, look for a used Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM and a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It is a bit heavier but the results are pro-level. Dont stress the numbers too much. Just remember: lower f-number equals more blur. You're gonna love the R5 once you see what it can do with the right glass.
