So I just pulled the trigger on the R5 Mark II for a series of talking head and b-roll shoots I have lined up in Chicago next month. My budget is capped at around $1500 for a solid prime.
I've been looking at the RF 50mm 1.2 because everyone says the autofocus is incredible on the new body, but then others online say it is way too heavy for gimbal work and that the RF 35mm 1.8 is actually better because of the IS. But the 35mm seems so cheap, will it look bad on a 45mp sensor? I'm kinda panicking because I need to order this week.
Which prime is actually the best fit for video on this body?
^ This. Also, if you want L-series quality without the weight of the 50mm, check out the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM. It fits your $1500 budget and was designed specifically for video. The autofocus is quiet and it won't throw off your gimbal balance like the heavier glass. The cheaper Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is decent but the autofocus motor is noisy and slow for fast-paced shoots.
In my experience, people worry way too much about lens resolution on 45MP sensors for video. Remember, 4K video is only about 8.3 megapixels, and even 8K is only 33 megapixels. You wont see the optical limits of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM in video mode. What you will notice is the stabilization. That little 35mm gives you 5 stops of optical IS, which bumps up to 8 stops when paired with the IBIS on the R5 Mark II. That is huge for run-and-gun b-roll. If you want to save cash for a good variable ND filter, which you absolutely need for video anyway, grab the 35mm f/1.8. The STM motor can be slightly buzzy compared to USM, but for talking heads it is more than fast enough.
Honestly, do not buy the 50mm 1.2 for gimbal work. I have used the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM for events and my arms were dead after an hour, plus balancing it is a total pain. Since you have a $1500 budget, you should definitely grab the new Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM. It is literally designed for video on the R5 series and fits your budget perfectly. Here is why it beats the others:
- Weight: It is way lighter than the heavy 50mm, making gimbal balancing a breeze.
- Image quality: Unlike the cheaper Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro, this L-series glass handles that 45mp sensor beautifully with zero softness.
- Video focus: The new VCM motor is completely silent and fast, plus it has a dedicated manual iris ring. It is the perfect match for your Chicago shoot. Let me know if you need rigging tips for it!
