Ive been shooting with my R6 II for a while now but my old EF glass with the adapter is finally acting up. Im in the market for a native RF prime for portraits before a big wedding shoot next month. Budget is around 1500 bucks. Should I stick with the 85mm f/2 or try to find a deal on the 1.2?
Regarding what #1 said, you should look at the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM used if you hunt, but honestly, consider these:
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for value
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art via adapter for sharp pro results
Honestly, 1500 bucks wont get you near that 1.2 glass, so be careful not to overspend trying to find a deal that doesnt exist. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is super reliable for weddings. Just make sure to check your focus settings, because at f/2 it can be tricky. Id suggest playing it safe with that one before the big day...
Like someone mentioned, the budget is gonna be your biggest wall here. I really gotta disagree with pushing for that f/1.2 glass if you have a wedding coming up next month though! Trying to hunt for a deal under stress right before a big job is a recipe for a total headache, honestly. You should really stick to what you know works, especially when you need reliable autofocus for those fast-paced wedding moments. Personally, I think the f/2 is totally underrated. The sharpness is actually fantastic for portraits and that macro feature is surprisingly handy for detail shots like rings or flowers during the ceremony. Plus, the weight difference is massive! Lugging around a heavier lens for 8-10 hours at a wedding is a nightmare, trust me. You want to stay agile so you can catch those candid expressions without your wrists giving out halfway through the reception. Save that extra cash for some solid lighting gear or maybe an extra battery pack instead, since the R6 II can be a bit thirsty when you're shooting non-stop. Keep it simple and focus on your composition, that matters way more than that extra sliver of bokeh anyway!
Stumbled upon this thread and honestly, I am in the exact same boat as you right now. Trying to transition my entire kit to RF mount while dealing with looming deadlines is just pure stress. Over the years, I have learned that the worst thing you can do is change up your gear chain right before a high-pressure shoot. I made the mistake of swapping a body and lens combo a few days before a gig once, and the reliability issues nearly cost me the entire set of shots. Dont underestimate how much time you need just to get comfortable with the autofocus micro-adjustments or the way the new optics handle backlit scenarios compared to your old EF stuff. Stick with what you know for this wedding, or you're just asking for a headache when things go wrong on-site. Save the gear experiments for when you have a bit of breathing room.
