Which prime lens is the absolute best for taking portrait photos of people on my Canon EOS R8? I just got this camera last week and I am honestly so excited but also totally overwhelmed because I have no idea what I am doing lol. I have been using my iPhone for years and finally decided to get a "real" camera because my best friend is getting married in July and she asked if I could take some nice shots of her and her fiancé before the big day. I really dont want to mess this up!
I keep seeing people talk about prime lenses and I think that means it doesn't zoom in or out right? Like you have to move your body to get the shot? That sounds a bit scary but everyone says the photos look way better and have that blurry background thing which is exactly what I want. I want her to look sharp but the background to be all soft and pretty. I think people call it bokeh or something?
The problem is I look online and see so many numbers. There is a 35mm and a 50mm and an 85mm and I have literally no clue what the difference is for a person's face. Someone told me the 85mm makes people look better but then someone else said it's too zoomed in if you are inside? I live in a smaller apartment in Chicago so if I am taking photos of them inside here will I even be able to fit them in the frame or will I just be seeing their eyeballs?
My budget is pretty tight after buying the camera body so I can probably only spend like 400 or maybe 500 dollars max right now. I saw some lenses that cost like two thousand dollars and I almost had a heart attack lol. Is there something cheap but good for a beginner who just wants those professional looking backgrounds? I am sorry if this is a super basic question but every YouTube video I watch uses words like aperture and f-stops and my brain just kind of melts. Which one should I get first...
Unfortunately, the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM wasn't as good as expected for my small place. I had issues fitting people in the frame without hitting a wall. Honestly, it's a total headache. For your Chicago apartment, just get the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM.
- 85mm: Too zoomed for indoor portraits.
- 50mm: Cheap and actually works in tight spaces.
^ This. Also, I actually feel a bit differently about the 85mm being a total headache indoors. Back when I was first starting out, I lived in a shoebox of an apartment and I’d literally stand in the kitchen to take a portrait of someone in the hallway. It works if you're creative! I've been super satisfied with the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM because the compression makes people look so much better than a wider lens does. If you're really watching your budget tho, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is a total steal. I used the older EF versions for years with an adapter, and while those were classic, this native RF version is just way snappier and sharper. It’s what I usually recommend to anyone who wants that pro look without the heart attack price tag of the high-end L-series glass. You’ll have plenty of cash left over for extra SD cards. It’s a solid little lens and I’ve never had a reason to complain about the results on my R8.
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
TIL! Thanks for sharing
Can vouch for this
