topic Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter in EF & RF Lenses

RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

dancephoto — Mon, 20 May 2024 02:03:44 GMT

Hello, I have a R50. I just purchased an EF 85MM 1.8 But realized it would need an adapter to fit. Can anyone recommend a RF lens that would be similar? should i just get an adapter?. Looking to do portraits but also low light dance recital photos, so movement, light changes, etc. I am not a professional, at all. So looking to spend no more that 500. Thank you

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

p4pictures — Mon, 20 May 2024 03:48:03 GMT

yes you can get an adapter the EF EOS R mount adapter or EF EOsS R control ring mount adapter are both within you $500 budget.
Breaking or at least pushing the budget would be the RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM as it is the “spiritual” successor to the old EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

Waddizzle — Mon, 20 May 2024 09:39:30 GMT

It has been my experience that the RF series of lenses are technological leap forward almost equivalent to the technological leap forward by the R Series of bodies.

Given a choice between buying an EF/RF adapter and an EF mount lens, or buying an equivalent RF lens for roughly the same cost, then the best choice is the RF lens. Not only will you be getting a better lens, but you will be getting one with a much longer service life expectancy.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

Waddizzle — Mon, 20 May 2024 09:41:56 GMT

The only justification for buying EF lenses for an RF body is if you are still heavily invested in the EOS DSLR camera bodies, which you still rely on and get regular use.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

p4pictures — Mon, 20 May 2024 11:57:18 GMT

I used to own the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens myself. I had one of the early ones not long after it was introduced in 1992. It travelled with me from film EOS to DSLR and then on to mirrorless. I only sold it early in 2021 after almost 30 years to get the RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM.

The RF 85mm F2 was very sharp, but the aperture assembly fail three times in the year I owned it. Each time it went back to Canon UK for repair and after the third they swapped the lens out for a brand new one. I had lost all confidence in the reliability of the lens so I promptly sold that brand new one without opening the box, and purchased an EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM as there is no equivalent in the RF line.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Mon, 20 May 2024 14:06:36 GMT

"... the aperture assembly fail three times in the year I owned it. Each time it went back to Canon UK for repair and after the third they swapped the lens out for a brand new one."

Interesting but not conclusive. I had a very nearly same experience with a Sigma lens. Went back to Sigma three times but the third one which Sigma sent me, a brand new lens has preformed flawlessly for many years now. Perhaps your third chance was perfectly sound too.

"... the RF series of lenses are technological leap forward ..."

I agree, absolutely, no doubt at all..

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

dancephoto — Mon, 20 May 2024 18:01:20 GMT

I am look mostly for a lense to capture low light dance recital, sitting in the audience. I don't need a professional level lens. I was recommended the 24-105 1.4 l RF. But its overkill for my uses and way above my budget, even used. Any other recommendations?

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:23:03 GMT

" But its overkill for my uses and way above my budget, even used."

Exactly, sometimes common sense is a better judge than all the advice form 'experts'. However, I have to advise, a super fast or fast aperture is not the single element in the ability to take poor light photos. As a matter of fact it brings a long its own issues for giving you that fast aperture. Have you checked out the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens. Yeah, it doesn't have that super fast aperture but it offers a world more versatility than an 85mm prime. Have you checked the used market? A good used ef 85mm f1.8 should go for around $250 I'm guessing.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

dancephoto — Thu, 23 May 2024 01:48:21 GMT

Yes!!! I got it and its great, but tonight I was sitting much farther back and couldnt get clear faces. Anything that offers more of a zoom that is similar?

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Thu, 23 May 2024 14:06:37 GMT

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

dancephoto — Thu, 23 May 2024 14:15:28 GMT

Yes that is what I used, but from the back of the theater I could not get clear faces.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Thu, 23 May 2024 14:38:57 GMT

Post a sample or two of what you got. It may not have been the lens's fault. Leave the exif data on the samples.

A little more info how far back and how dark is the auditorium? Is this a dance contest?

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Thu, 23 May 2024 14:51:57 GMT

First let me be clear all photographic gear has its limits. Its possible you have exceeded the limit of your gear. This means a high quality or level camera and more professional lenses are the answer. Of course these don't come cheap so another question is how much do you want to spend on getting top quality photos.

As an example Canon has the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens which is the fastest lens of this type made. However it is nearly $3000 dollars. Plus there are better cameras than the R50 for shooting in challenging light conditions but again they aren't cheap. The expected EOS R5 Mk II as an example but again at nearly $3000 bucks.

But first u/l some samples of what you got. That will help determine if your current gear can do the job. Let's hope it can!

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

Waddizzle — Fri, 24 May 2024 18:07:38 GMT

Do you have a lens budget? I would be inclined to recommends the RF 24-240mm, but I would also like to see a sample photo. The RF 24-240mm lens does not have a wide aperture, so it may not be suitable for your shooting scenario. Do not use any UV or CPL filters indoors.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

dancephoto — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:14:13 GMT

I rented a 70-200 4, and will be trying out the 2.8. So much better!

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

shadowsports — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:30:51 GMT

For indoor performing arts, when it's dark, you really need to have to have a fast lens f2.8 or better.

Unless you are in the first 3 rows and center, you will not see faces clearly, and unless your subject(s) are extremely well illuminated, you will not get many keepers. You have to use a fast enough shutter to freeze the action. When you do, things can get very dark, without the ability to capture some additional light. I often shoot with a 70-200 f2.8 at recitals, ballet performances, etc. This way you can be a few rows back, set a fast enough shutter and still get shots when shooting from the dark audience on to a spotlight illuminated subject on the stage.

Every shooting situation is different, but counting on the venue's lighting to get good photos is often a stretch.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 May 2024 14:39:02 GMT

"For indoor performing arts, when it's dark, you really need to have to have a fast lens f2.8 or better."

"Need" or nice to have? A good photographer works with what they have and the conditions presented to them. It is certainly possible to get decent shots with a lens that is slower than f2.8, a lot slower. These were all shot with a lens that was either f5.6 or slower f6.3.

Yes there was a tripod and yes I did pick the spots. And Yes, a fast action scene was not going to happen.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

shadowsports — Sat, 25 May 2024 19:56:44 GMT

A testament to your skills Mr Biggs. 🙂

All your yes's let me know the faster lens is a good choice. Niece from the 8th row. No tripod, extra effort and she was bustin' a move. If this is nice to have, I'll take it. 😉

RF 70-200 f2.8

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

ebiggs1 — Sun, 26 May 2024 14:05:57 GMT

She is adorable, its so fantastic to have the "memories" since they only happen once and are gone so very quickly. Keep it up you and others will enjoy for a long time to come as she will I am sure.

Re: RF lens comparable to the EF 85MM F/1.8 or adapter

EdoRF — Mon, 27 May 2024 16:49:16 GMT

The simplest solution would be the EF to RF adapter. I would recommend the Canon made/branded one. It's not that expensive and every EF type lens I've used it on works well.

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/mount-adapter-ef-eos-r?color=Black&type=New