I'm stressing about which lens to grab for my R8 before my sisters wedding next week. I saw the RF 85mm f/2 is good but people say the AF is slow, while the 50mm 1.8 feels too cheap for a big event.
- Budget: under 600 bucks
- Use: wedding portraits
- Needs: sharp images
Which one is actually better?
TL;DR: Definitely go with the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. It is much sharper for those professional-looking wedding shots and the background blur is just way more flattering than the 50mm! Oh man, you are gonna have so much fun with the R8! I remember shooting my sisters engagement party a while back and I was so nervous about the lens choice. I actually tried using the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM first but it just felt a bit too wide and I had to get right in peoples faces to get a good headshot. Not ideal when people are trying to eat or chat!! I swapped over to the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM and honestly? It was like magic happened. The way that 85mm focal length compresses the features makes everyone look like a literal model. People complain about the AF being slow but for portraits where people are mostly standing still or just posing, it is plenty fast enough!! I love it because it is tack sharp even at f/2. Plus, having that image stabilization is a lifesaver when the light starts getting low during the reception. The 50mm is a great little lens for the price but for a big event like a wedding, you want that extra bit of reach and that beautiful, creamy bokeh that only the 85mm can really deliver. It feels way more substantial on the camera too!
Re: "TL;DR: Definitely go with the Canon RF 85mm..."
- I'm so happy with how the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM works on my R8. Used it for my cousins ceremony and that 5-stop stabilization saved me when light got low. The specs are solid for under $600:
- 9-blade diaphragm creates smoother bokeh than the 50mm.
- 0.5x magnification is perfect for ring shots. Dont worry about AF speed, it tracks eyes perfectly.
> I'm so happy with how the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM works on my R8. Building on the earlier suggestion, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is probably the most logical choice here. I've been using Canon gear for a long time and while the AF isnt the fastest in the world, it is decent enough for portraits. The motor is a bit loud tho, just so you know. To keep costs down, maybe check the Canon refurbished store first. You can often find that 85mm for way under your 600 buck limit. If you save enough, you might even be able to pick up the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM as a backup. Weddings are unpredictable and having a second focal length is a good idea if the room gets crowded. Also, since you're using an R8, definitely spend some of the leftover budget on an extra Canon LP-E17 Battery Pack. That camera goes through them pretty quick and the last thing you want is a dead battery during the vows...
Totally agree with everyone else here. In my experience, the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is the smartest move for the R8, especially for weddings. I've tried many lenses over the years and that 85mm reach is just perfect for staying out of the way while getting those tight emotional shots. Since you're worried about reliability and it's a one-time event, dont forget the Canon ET-77 Lens Hood. Honestly, Canon should include it, but they dont, and you'll definitely want it to stop weird flares from the overhead lights or sun. Also, if you're worried about the AF being 'slow,' just make sure you have a fast card like a SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I SDXC. I've found that using slower cards makes the whole camera feel sluggish when the buffer fills up during bursts. Stick with the 85mm, it is way more professional than the 50mm for what you need.
^ This. Also, I honestly had issues with the autofocus on the RF 85mm myself. Everyone swears by it but sometimes it just hunts way too much for my liking, which is a total bummer during a fast-paced wedding.
- The build quality feels kinda cheap for the price
- The motor noise is actually super distracting in quiet settings
- I kinda miss my old Sigma primes back when I shot Nikon; they just felt so much more substantial than these modern RF glass pieces Speaking of, I remember this one time in the middle of a desert shoot when my old bag strap snapped and my entire kit tumbled onto the rocks. I spent three hours just trying to get the grit out of my viewfinder while the sun was setting. It was a complete disaster and I ended up missing the golden hour entirely because I was busy frantically cleaning the sensor with a Q-tip. Honestly, gear failure is just the worst part of this hobby. Anyway lol, sorry kinda went off topic there.
