so i finally caved and got the r6 mark iii but honestly im kind of losing my mind with my current lens situation. ive been adapting my old ef 85mm and the purple fringing is just wrecking my shots lately especially when i do golden hour sessions. its like no matter how much i calibrate it the focus is just a hair off and when you have a high res sensor like this it shows everything.
i have a big family shoot coming up in three weeks in the bay area and i really need to get something native and reliable before then. my budget is capped at around 1600 dollars so the 1.2 is definitely out of reach for now unfortunately. i looked at the rf 85mm f2 but i keep hearing the autofocus is sluggish for professional work and i really dont want to move backward in performance.
i was also looking at some other options but keep getting mixed signals:
- rf 50mm 1.2 used
- rf 85mm f2 macro
- sigma adapted glass
i just want something that makes the eyes pop and has that creamy background without being a total pain to carry around all day. what is the best portrait prime lens for the canon r6 mark iii that wont break the bank but actually performs like a pro lens...
Honestly, I've been in that exact spot with the EF adapters and it's just not as good as expected when you're shooting on a body as fast as your R6. I tried the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM hoping for a lightweight native solution but unfortunately the autofocus is just too clunky for anything moving. It hunts way too much in backlit situations and the motor sounds like an old printer. For professional work, it's a massive letdown and the fringing is still there, just less offensive than the old EF stuff. If you want that pro look without the insane price tag, your best bet is hunting down a used Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM. I've seen them for around 1700 bucks if you're lucky. The colors and contrast are worlds apart from the old glass and the purple fringing is basically non-existent. Another option people sleep on is the Canon RF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM. I know it says macro, but it's actually an incredible portrait lens. The autofocus is lightning fast since it's an L-series and it fits right in your budget. I had issues with the 85mm f2's bokeh looking a bit nervous, but this 100mm is buttery smooth. Tbh, if you can't swing the 1.2, dont settle for the cheap 85... itll just frustrate you during that family shoot.
Adapting glass can be hit or miss with weight distribution. You might want to consider a used Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM if you can find a clean one under $1600. Just be careful to check the focus motor tho. Make sure to look at the Canon RF 100mm f2.8 L Macro IS USM as well. My experience with it has been great because the autofocus is way faster than the 85mm f2.
^ This. Also, check the Canon RF 100mm f2.8 L Macro IS USM. In my experience:
- AF is way faster
- No fringing
- Well under $1600 Honestly, its a total pro sleeper.
@Reply #1 - good point! honestly i had the same experience with that compact 85mm during a high-stakes event last summer and it just wouldnt lock on when the light got tricky. after years of shooting professionally ive learned that reliability beats a fancy aperture every single time. i see people recommending the 100mm macro but i gotta disagree a bit... in my experience that focal length can be really restrictive for family work if you dont have a ton of space to back up. i remember doing a session in a tight park in sf once and i spent half the time tripping over bushes trying to get the whole family in frame. before you drop sixteen hundred on something that might not fit your workflow i have a couple questions:
- what kind of distance do you normally have between you and the subjects during these bay area sessions?
- are you mostly looking for that tight headshot look or do you need to capture full-body shots with that same creamy background? id hate to see you get a pro-level lens that ends up being too long for the locations you usually book.
