What lens should I pair with the R50? Looking at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens or RF 50mm

[alyssal]

HI - Looking at getting the R50 or R50v. What lens would you pair it with for best video results of action? I see the 85 mm f/2 Macro IS STM lens does have image stabilization. Mainly looking at action shots of animals taken handheld so anything to help stabilize would help. Or the RF 50mm STM lens. Struggling to find good video comparisons on Youtube testing the video capabilities of those two. I like the look of the 85 mm, Since the R50 is not full frame would the kit lens or 50 mm STM achieve good depth of field, similar to an 85 mm look? If there's any good Youtube videos showing any of these combos paired for video please share, thanks!

[SignifDigits]

Thanks for visiting and asking.  Why are you looking at fixed lenses at those two focal lengths?  I would think taking videos of animals you would prefer the flexibility of a zoom lens.  Those seem like unusual pairings for that camera, which is why it may be hard to find much information.  Do you plan on using a stabilized gimbal for your work or just handled?

[alyssal]

I guess I've always considered myself a prime person. Since for photography I normally use a 35 and 85 religiously. And even practicing with my DSLR's I almost always chose my 85 for video because that's the look I prefer. I've tried practicing with my 24-105 on my DSLR, but it's big, clunky and I'm just not in love with the look. I guess that was my initial reasoning? Yes, I'd do just handheld.

[SignifDigits]

Certainly primes still probably offer the best bang for the buck in terms of image quality.  Funny, but now I consider my 24-105 f/4 L one of my "lighter/smaller" lenses.  At one time, though, I used the R8 with the 28mm, 16mm, and 50mm was a nice lightweight lens combo. But my "animals" for me generally means wildlife so the RF 70-200 and 200-800 lenses are my mainstays there.  I typically "acquire" animals on the lower end of those ranges and zoom in to shoot.

I personally require stabilization for any video, and that means IS lenses and/or some sort of gimbal stabilization.  That would lead me to suggest the RF 35mm or 24mm f1.8 IS lenses.  There are a lot of reviews on those.  The 24mm lens would put you at effectively 38mm on the APS-C sensor, which seems should feel familiar to you.  

I'll leave it for others to make other suggestions on longer range prime video lenses.  I read some issues with STM motors being loud for video, etc. but cannot comment.  I usually shoot video with my phone, so that lets you know my expertise on that subject!

For photography with no stabilization and in the 35mm and 85mm ranges, focusing on small and lightweightthe R50v paired with a Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM pancake and RF50mm F1.8STM would all only about add up to the price of an 24-105 L lens.  Buying used lenses is only about $100 difference due to sales prices, so getting new is the way to go.

That would put you in the effective 45mm and 80mm ranges, and also give you full RF lenses if you ever buy a full frame camera.

If it were me, I would might skip the 50mm and choose the RF 45mm f/1.2 STM instead.  That would drop effectively to 67mm, but that seems to be a better lens with a little better low-light performance than the 50mm.

[alyssal]

Interesting - the 45mm must be a new one? Would that go well for video? So if I pair that with the R50, that would give it about an 80mm look is my understanding?

[March411]

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@alyssal wrote:

Interesting - the 45mm must be a new one? Would that go well for video? So if I pair that with the R50, that would give it about an 80mm look is my understanding?

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It would be the equivalent of a 72mm on an APS-C