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

[dancephoto]

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

[p4pictures]

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. 

[Waddizzle]

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.

[Waddizzle]

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.

[p4pictures]

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.

[ebiggs1]

"...  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..

[dancephoto]

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?

[ebiggs1]

" 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.

[dancephoto]

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?

[ebiggs1]

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