I’ve just upgraded to the Canon EOS R5 and have my first wedding of the season coming up. I’m torn between the versatility of the RF 28-70mm f/2 or sticking with a prime like the RF 50mm f/1.2 for those low-light receptions. What’s your go-to 'must-have' lens that really maximizes this sensor's potential for weddings?
I would suggest being careful with the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM because it's seriously heavy for a 12-hour day. While it's great, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is way more budget-friendly and practical tbh.
Hi there! Oh man, I totally get the nerves before the first wedding of the season. When I first got my R5, I was so worried about spending a fortune on lenses. I actually started out with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM and the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, which honestly saved my budget! Both are usually under $500-$600 each.
I think for your situation, while that 28-70mm is a dream, it's so heavy and expensive. In my opinion, you might want to consider the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM first. It’s super cheap (around $200) and surprisingly sharp on the R5 sensor. It’s my go-to for low-light receptions when my arms are tired! Just be careful with the autofocus speed on the cheaper primes compared to the L-series... wait, getting sidetracked here. Basically, I suggest starting with the 50mm to see if you actually need that f/1.2 or if the lighter, budget version handles it! Good luck!
Bookmarked, thanks!
Quick reply while I have a sec! When I first got my R5, I spent weeks doing market research and basically had a heart attack looking at the price of those RF L-series things. I'm still pretty new to this, but I realized that looking at other brands through an adapter is such a money-saver. I ended up getting a used Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and its been working great for me. If your looking at the price tags and feeling stressed, honestly, the savings on the used market for Sigma or Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 EF stuff is huge. I wonder if the native glass is really worth three times as much? Is the autofocus that much better for weddings? TL;DR: Dont sleep on the used market for older EF mount lenses from other brands. Adapting them saved me a ton of cash compared to buying new RF glass.
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!
Saw this earlier while exporting a gallery and figured id weigh in. Been shooting weddings since the film days. Honestly, the R5 sensor is so demanding that you really see the difference with high-end glass. Zoom-only was my thing for years. Then I realized how much more I liked the look of wide-aperture primes for the reception. In my experience, you should look at:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM for that signature look. Nothing else quite touches it for portraits.
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM if you want the ultimate bokeh machine.
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art adapted if you want to save a few bucks without sacrificing too much sharpness. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM eventually got benched because it made my wrist hurt after eight hours. Heavy as a brick. If youre on the fence, rent them first from a site like LensRentals or check the side-by-side comparisons on The-Digital-Picture to see which one feels right in your hands. That R5 is a beast but it needs the right glass to really sing... good luck with the wedding!
Seconded!
