Honestly so fed up with this kit lens that came with my R6. I thought buying a full frame camera would magically make my photos look professional but everything I take with the 24-105mm f/4-7.1 just looks... flat? and the low light is a total nightmare. I was at a dinner party last night and the grain was just everywhere even with the IBIS doing its best. Its super frustrating spending all this money and still feeling like my phone takes better shots in a dim room.
Im spiraling a bit because I promised my sister I would take some nice portraits at her engagement party in three weeks. We are in Seattle and its basically constant overcast right now so I need something that can actually handle the gloom. I have a budget of about $850 maybe $900 if I stretch it but I honestly dont know where to turn. I keep looking at the RF 35mm f/1.8 because people say it has character but then I see the 50mm f/1.8 is so cheap and I wonder if the 35mm is even worth the extra cash or if I should be looking at something else entirely. Is the 85mm f/2 too zoomed in for a crowded party?
I just want that creamy bokeh and sharp eyes without having to hike my ISO to like 12800. Every time I try to research I just get overwhelmed by all the reviews saying one thing then the opposite and it makes me so anxious that I am gonna waste more money on glass that doesnt solve the problem. I need one solid prime that stays on the camera and just works so I can stop worrying about missing these shots for her. Should I go wide or stick to a standard? What are you guys actually using on the R6 that doesnt weigh a ton but still feels like a real upgrade from this plastic zoom... I really need to get this ordered by Tuesday so it gets here in time for me to practice.
I struggled with the same kit lens issues on my R6 until I got the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM. I used it for a friend's wedding in a dark cellar and was so happy with the results. It works well for those tight party shots and is way cheaper than the fancy L glass. Honestly, for the price, no complaints at all. Youll save hundreds off your budget.
I totally feel your pain with that kit lens. It is unfortunately pretty mediocre for anything besides bright daylight, and I have been disappointed by how flat the contrast looks on the R6 sensor when the light drops. I have had issues with the entry-level RF primes too; for example, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is surprisingly soft wide open and the autofocus motor is quite jittery in low light. It really isnt as sharp as I expected it to be for a modern mount. Technically speaking, if you want that creamy look, you need a larger physical aperture and better glass. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is actually the sharpest of the non-L primes and has much better bokeh quality due to the 9-blade diaphragm, but it will be way too tight for a crowded engagement party. You would be backing into walls constantly trying to fit people in the frame. The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is likely your best bet, though I was disappointed by the heavy vignetting and the purple fringing you get in high-contrast shots. However, it gathers about 4 to 5 times more light than your kit lens at that focal length, which is the spec that actually solves your grain problem. Quick tip: Don't just rely on the IBIS for the party. IBIS only stops your hand shake, it wont stop people from moving. Keep your shutter speed at 1/200s minimum or you will still get blurry eyes even with a pro lens. A little grain is fine, but motion blur ruins everything.
