im honestly so sick of my kit lens. i tried taking portraits of my sister for her grad photos last week and the bokeh just looks muddy and flat, i feel like i wasted so much money on the r8 body just to get shots that look like they came off an old phone. i need something sharper that actually separates the subject from the background.
my logic was to grab the rf 50mm f/1.8 since its cheap, but then i read online that the focus motor is loud and kind of slow, and honestly i dont have the budget for the l-series glass right now. im looking to spend maybe 500 max because i need to cover my session fees for next month in seattle. so i was thinking, is the 50mm actually decent enough or should i save up longer for something like the 85mm? i just cant stand how frustrated i get when i look at these blurry raw files. does anyone actually use the 50mm for professional-ish work or am i just gonna regret it and end up needing to upgrade again in a month...
Skip the 50mm and grab the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. It gives better compression for portraits. Just watch the focus speed, it is a bit sluggish.
Re: Skip the 50mm and grab the Canon RF 85mm. Totally agree! That Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a beast for the price.
- Use eye-tracking
- Shoot wide open
Honestly, the kit lens is fine for landscapes but it will never give you that pro portrait look. I have been shooting portraits for years and honestly, you can get great results without spending thousands. The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a total no-brainer at that price point. Sure, the motor isnt silent like the expensive ones, but for portraits, its fast enough and the optics are definitely sharp enough for what you need. If you want that creamy background separation, you have to nail your distance from the subject. Here is what I would do:
- Grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM right now because you need it for your upcoming session.
- Focus on your lighting and composition; that actually matters more than the glass once you get past kit lens territory.
- If you find yourself wanting more compression later, keep an eye out for a used Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM down the road. Dont overthink the motor noise. Unless you are shooting video, it really doesnt matter. The 50mm on the R8 is a perfect focal length for grad portraits. You are going to see such a massive jump in quality from that kit lens that you will probably stop worrying about upgrades for a long time. Just get it and start shooting, you have a session coming up and you need gear you can actually use.
