What is the best portrait lens for Canon EOS R5 Mark II?

Question

I just got my R5 Mark II for my portrait studio in Brooklyn and now im staring at my empty lens bag lol. I have about 2600 left in my budget and i need to pick my main glass before a big series of outdoor shoots in three weeks.

Im really torn between the RF 85mm f1.2L and that 135mm f1.8L. The 85mm seems like the gold standard for bokeh but its heavy as hell and i worry about my wrist after a 6 hour day. Then there is the 135 which has that insane compression but idk if its gonna be too tight for my indoor studio space which is kinda small. Which one is gonna serve me better as an all rounder for this body?

Klozsnaktef · Accepted Answer

@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly though, i gotta disagree about the 50mm being the smarter move for a dedicated portrait business. For high-end work, the perspective distortion on a 50mm can be a bit much for tight headshots. If you have 2600 to spend, you are right on the edge of the budget for the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM. Its technically the gold standard, but that weight is no joke for a 6 hour gig. From a technical standpoint, here is how i see the breakdown:The Canon RF 135mm f1.8L IS USM uses Nano USM motors which are objectively faster and quieter for tracking subjects outdoors compared to the Ring USM in the 85mm. If your outdoor shoots involve any movement, this is the winner.Stabilization is a huge factor. The 135mm has dedicated IS that works with the IBIS in your R5 Mark II for up to 8 stops of correction. The 85mm f1.2 is unstabilized. In a dark studio or at sunset, that makes a massive difference for sharp files.For a small Brooklyn studio, the 135mm is gonna be too tight for full-body shots. Youll be hitting the wall before you get the framing right. If you want a real all-rounder, honestly consider the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM. It fits your budget perfectly, handles the outdoor compression at 200mm, and zooms out to 70mm so you can actually breathe in your studio space. You lose a bit of that f1.2 magic, but the workflow efficiency is much higher.

LoryFrult · Answer

I was really disappointed with the bulk of the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM tbh. Its a massive brick. Unfortunately, the Canon RF 135mm f1.8L IS USM is just too long for a small Brooklyn studio.

135mm needs massive working distance for full-body

85mm fits better in tight indoor rooms I have issues with the weight, but get the 85mm anyway. Its the only practical all-rounder for you.

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What is the best portrait lens for Canon EOS R5 Mark II?