I'm looking to grab a new prime for my R5 before a wedding shoot in Seattle next month. Stuck between the RF 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.2.
The 50 is more versatile but that 85 bokeh is just insane. Budget only allows for one right now... which one should I pick?
> Stuck between the RF 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.2. In my experience shooting weddings over the years, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is the smarter play. I've tried many lens combos and while the 85 bokeh is magical, the 50 is way more versatile for indoor ceremonies. Youll find it much easier to work with in those tighter Seattle venues. Go with the 50, honestly.
Coming back to this, honestly go for the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM! It is absolutely amazing for those outdoor portraits. The background compression is just way better than the 50mm and creates such a fantastic, dreamy look.
- Incredible background bokeh
- Superior subject isolation
- Tack sharp wide open Its definitely a heavy lens, but the results are totally worth it for that extra wow factor!
Building on the earlier suggestion about the 50mm, I have to agree it is the smarter focal length for those cramped Seattle venues, but I gotta say I was pretty disappointed with the ergonomics of the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM during a long weekend shoot. Honestly, I had issues with my wrist for a week after because that thing is just a brick. I really wanted to love it as my primary lens, but the experience wasnt as good as expected when things got fast-paced. Here is what I learned the hard way:
- The autofocus can occasionally hunt in those dim, moody PNW lighting conditions, which is terrifying during a ceremony.
- The weight distribution on the R5 feels super front-heavy without a battery grip, making it a bit of a chore to handle for 8+ hours.
- Its a massive investment, and I actually had the AF motor get sluggish on me during a humid outdoor session once, which made me question its long-term reliability for pros. If you go that route, definitely grab a Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM as a cheap backup just in case. You dont want to be left hanging if the big L series glass starts acting up or just gets too heavy to hold by the reception.
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.