Canon RF 85mm f.2 lens on a EOS R5?

[zoid]

Hello all! I wanted to see if anyone had experience using the RF 85mm f.2 lens (and the 35mm 1.8 IS STM lens) on their EOS r5?

For context I have a photography business and the demand has been asking me to branch out into elopements and small weddings. Which is exciting but, I just bought the EOS R5 to take over my RP (which I LOVED but doesn't have professional features I would feel comfortable not having for big events) now that is my back up.

I'd love to eventually get the RF28-70mm f.2 and the 85mm 1.2 but, l'd feel more omfortable saving a bit more since they are beyond $$$.

So I just wanted to see if you all have used the "lower" end RF lenses (which I hate saying because they aren't cheap but compared to 3K they are) on your r5s? How are the images? Or is it necessary to invest immediately in the professional lenses to get way better photos?

[rs-eos]

What is your current budget?

What lenses do you already own?  Note that weddings can be extremely demanding and having a large range of focal lengths will be key.

I'd say that unless you can currently justify the price of the new lenses, then going with the less expensive lenses would be the wise choice.  i.e. when do you expect the recoup the price of the lenses?  If it's say within a year's time, then perhaps the L-series would be a good investment.  If it's beyond that, or even unknown, better the save your money until you can prove the need for the L-series glass.

Having said all that, do note that the RF 28-70 mm f/2 is massive and heavy! While it does let in twice the light as an RF 24-70mm f/2.8, the latter would be lighter, less expensive and just a tad wider in terms of focal length.

Note that the 85mm f/1.2 L also comes in two different versions.  So before investing in that lens, you may want to check out videos comparing the two, or even renting to see which one you'd prefer.

Finally, while I have not shot any weddings, I would be concerned with the very shallow DOF at f/1.2 and f/2.  While there may be situations you'd have the time to set up a shot, I believe you'd want to be stopped down a bit for the more crucial photos of moving subjects.  Any group shots will also be an extreme challenge (if not possible) with very wide apertures.

[ebiggs1]

I was/am an event and wedding photographer for a very long lifetime. I have an 85mm f1.2L lens. I love it but I would not buy it for the situations, wedding and events, as a first lens. The 85mil can be a wonderful portrait lens but prime lenses are more limiting to use for something like a wedding. As a matter of fact my main most used duo was/is the 24-70mm f2.8l and 70-200mm f2.8L. Put your money there first. BTW, the 70-200mm zoom includes 85mm if that FL is important to you.

[zakslm]

Let me float a semi-radical idea out to you.

Years ago I did some wedding and event shooting (albiet on film) and got very nice results with the EF 85mm f1.8 USM.  In fact, it was my favorite lens.  Perhaps as a stop gap, you may want to consider a used (guessing < $300 at KEH or similar) or Canon refurbished EF 85mm f1.8 USM and and EF-R Adapter (about $130 or less)?  When you decide to upgrade, the used 85mm f1.8 USM will probably hold it's value pretty well or make a nice back up.  

Ricky was spot on about the shallow depth of field even at f1.8 or f2 but I think all of the variants of the 85mm are going to be tack sharp at f4 and smaller apertures.  Shallow depth of field shots will turn out very nice at the wider apertures on any of the Canon 85mm lenses.   

Now I shoot only for my own satisfaction and I purchased a used 85mm f1.8 USM a few months ago.  I  love using that lens now on my crop sensor DSLR (effectively a 135mm f1.8) as much as I enjoyed shooting with the 85 back when I was shooting film.  

[Danfaz]

I've used both lenses you asked about on my R5, and can say they can produce very good results. There can be some purple fringing with high contrast situations, and they aren't the fastest focusing lenses, but not too slow. They are nicely sized, very easy to use for long periods of time. And of course, they are 1/2 macro lenses, so have an added benefit of not needing to buy a dedicated macro lens.

Hope that helps!

[ebiggs1]

Guys there is no doubt the 85mil is a nice lens. However that is not the main question. How well or with ease will it shoot a wedding. My experience of shooting weddings says a 24-70mm zoom will best it many, many time over.

Just because a lens is good does not make it the choice for wedding photography. I also came form the film days and remember back then we didn't have all the wonderful super IQ zooms that we have today. Although I have owned several 85mm lenses including the Canon f1.8 model, I now have only one; the super fantastic ef 85mm f1.2l. I love it but if I had a wedding to shoot today it would not be going to the job.