So I just got this Canon EOS R6 Mark II for my birthday and I'm super excited but I honestly have no clue what I'm doing. My sister is getting married next Saturday and she asked me to take some really close up pictures of the rings and the flower details and stuff but when I try to get close with the lens that came in the box everything is just a blurry mess. I think I need a macro lens?
I tried looking them up online but there are so many numbers and letters like RF and EF and I'm totally lost. I have about 900 dollars saved up from my summer job and I really need to get something by Thursday so I can practice before the wedding. Is there one that just works easily? I saw a 100mm one and an 85mm one but I don't know the difference or if they even fit my camera without an adapter thingy.
- do I need an adapter
- is 100mm better than 85mm
- can I stay under $1000
Sorry if this is a really basic question I'm just kinda panicking because I don't want to mess up her big day. Should I just get the most expensive one I can afford or is there a cheaper one that's better for beginners? I really need to know which one is gonna give me those super sharp closeups without being impossible to use...
I am gonna disagree slightly on the 85mm. I found it a bit tight for detail shots when I was starting out at weddings. You dont need an adapter for these native RF ones.
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM: This is a steal and great for flower scenes.
- Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: Its the pro choice but pricey. The 35mm is honestly easier to handle since you are in a rush.
To add to the point above: you absolutely have to look at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM if you want to save some cash! I brought this to a wedding last year and I was obsessed with how the ring shots turned out. It's way cheaper than the 100mm L series but the sharpness is just insane for the price. Since it's a native RF lens, you dont need any adapters or anything extra. It's basically a 2-in-1 because it's a legendary portrait lens too!! Quick tips for Thursday:
- Use a tripod for those ring shots if the light is low... it makes a huge difference.
- Toggle the focus limiter switch on the side of the lens to 0.5m-Full when you're shooting people, but switch it to the macro setting when you're doing the rings so the lens doesn't hunt for focus forever. You're gonna have so much fun with that R6 II! It's such an amazing piece of gear and that 85mm is gonna make those flowers look professional for sure.
Oh man, you're gonna love that R6 II! Honestly, when I first started shooting weddings, I was in the exact same boat panicking about those tiny ring shots. You definitely want a native RF lens so you dont have to mess around with adapters right before the big day. The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is literally the gold standard and I use it for every wedding I shoot now. It is a bit pricey but totally worth it for that insane 1.4x magnification.
- RF means it clicks right onto your camera, no adapter needed.
- 100mm lets you stay further back so you dont block the light with your own shadow.
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2.0 Macro IS STM is cheaper but only does half-size macro, which wont get you those super tight diamond shots. If you can stretch the budget or find a sale, the 100mm is amazing because the Spherical Aberration control ring lets you get these dreamy, soft backgrounds that look fantastic for flower details. Ngl, it is a total game changer for jewelry!
