Is the RF 85mm f/2 or the RF 50mm f/1.2 actually worth the massive price gap for portraits? I finally upgraded to an R6 Mark II and Im dying to get some proper glass for my sisters wedding in June. My budget is around 1500 bucks but Id rather not blow it all if the 85mm f/2 gets me 90 percent of the way there. I do mostly outdoor shoots in Seattle so I need something sharp but also manageable in the rain. Ive been obsessing over reviews for weeks and honestly Im just stuck. Should I save the cash for more gear or just bite the bullet on the L series lens?
If you are worried about the weather in Seattle and want a professional look without hitting the L-series price point, look into the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. It feels like a tank compared to the RF 85mm f/2 and the image quality is frankly stunning. You get that extra stop of light which helps in the gloomy PNW light. Honestly, saving the remaining cash for a solid set of K&F Concept Variable ND Filter is a smarter move for outdoor portraits anyway. Dealing with harsh reflections or needing wider apertures in daylight is way more critical than the extra weight of the Canon glass. Just be sure to grab a decent rain cover, because even weather-sealed gear can struggle with constant dampness.
Honestly, skip the expensive L glass for now. I shot a wedding in drizzly Portland last year with the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM and it held up just fine with a little care. You really dont need that massive aperture for outdoor portraits anyway. Ngl, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is incredible but its heavy as a brick and you might regret lugging it around all day in the rain if you arent used to it. Save that extra grand for some good lighting or maybe a solid Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13L bag to keep your kit dry. Just be careful with moisture around the mount regardless of the lens. Youll get way more value putting those savings into a better flash setup or extra batteries for that R6.
Late to the party but I wanted to share my two cents. Honestly, dropping that much cash on an L lens for a single wedding makes me nervous. I think the price difference is mostly about the build quality and weather sealing, which is nice for Seattle, but you could just grab a solid rain cover instead.
- The 50mm is legendary but it is heavy, like, carry it all day and your wrist will hurt heavy.
- 85mm is usually much better for portrait compression anyway, so you might actually prefer those results.
- Someone told me the focus breathing on the cheaper primes can be annoying, but I havent noticed it much. Im pretty satisfied with my mid-range setup tbh. If you arent doing pro work full-time, the extra cash could go toward a solid backup battery or maybe better lighting gear.
Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.
