I just got this big Canon EOS R5 camera and honestly its kinda overwhelming with all the buttons and stuff. Im trying to take nice photos of my sister for her engagement party in October but I only have the lens it came with and it doesnt look professional like the ones I see online.
People keep telling me to get a prime lens but I dont really get what that means or which one fits this camera. My budget is probably around $1000 maybe a bit more if its worth it. I just want that blurry background look for her portraits. Which prime lens is actually the best one for this?
Re: "^ This. Also, will the party be indoors?..." - honestly i would skip the 35mm for portraits. It tends to distort facial features if you get too close. Ive been really satisfied with the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for basic stuff, but since your budget is $1000, the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM is a better bet. The background blur is way smoother and it feels much more professional than the cheaper primes.
^ This. Also, will the party be indoors? When I shot an engagement, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM had amazing compression, but Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM was more versatile!
I remember trying to capture my nieces graduation with a zoom and failing, but once I swapped to the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, everything clicked. It fits your budget and the focus is snappy. The f/2 aperture handles the background blur nicely, though it wont be as creamy as the pro glass that costs $2000. For an engagement party, it gets the job done well.
Oh man, you picked an absolute beast of a camera! The R5 is legendary for portraits. To get that super blurry background (we call it bokeh), you really want a lens with a wide aperture like f/1.8 or f/1.4. Since you have about $1000, here are the best ways to spend it for that pro look:
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is the easiest native choice and very sharp, though f/2 is just okay for blur.
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (used) with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is my top pick. It is significantly creamier than the budget RF lenses and the R5 handles adapted glass perfectly!
- Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 RF is a fantastic third-party alternative that actually lets in more light than the basic Canon RF 85mm. Honestly, the eye-tracking on your R5 is gonna feel like cheating with an 85mm lens! It stays locked on so well. If you can find a used EF 85mm 1.4L, jump on it... the quality difference compared to kit lenses is just insane! Feel free to ask if you need help picking an adapter too!
In my experience, if you're using a high-end body like the R5, you really shouldn't settle for the budget glass. Ive tried many setups over the years and found that cheaping out usually leads to missed focus or soft images when it matters most, especially at a big event. My advice is pretty straightforward:
- Stick with any Canon L-series prime lens
- Aim for something in the 85mm range or longer
- Dont bother with the entry-level consumer stuff Just go with the pro-grade Canon primes and you wont regret it. The reliability and the way they handle skin tones is just way better than the plastic-feeling ones. Honestly, just get the best red-ring Canon prime that fits your budget and itll last you a lifetime.
