Jumping in here because im basically in the exact same boat! I just got my Canon EOS R6 Mark II and im honestly paralyzed by the choices. Tbh im a bit worried about some of the advice here tho... like using crop lenses or adapting old glass. I feel like if I spent this much on a body, i dont want to risk the weather sealing or have the autofocus glitch out during a shoot. I was looking at Sony before I went with Canon and they have so many more third party options, but with the RF mount it feels like a bit of a gamble still. I would be so scared of a non-native lens not communicating right or causing errors. Id definitely be careful about the budget routes mentioned above... i feel like sticking to native glass is the only way to be totally safe, even if it hurts the wallet. Just my two cents as a fellow nervous newbie...

So, from a professional standpoint, once you start taking money from clients, you really need to prioritize AF reliability and color rendition. While budget options are fine for hobbyists, the industry standard for the R6 II usually points toward native RF glass to fully utilize that Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. Tbh, if you want the absolute BEST, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is the benchmark for portraiture, though the price reflects that. Since you mentioned outdoor sessions and low light, here are my thoughts on the market right now: * Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM - It is a fantastic entry point for the R6 II, but keep in mind it lacks the weather sealing of the L-series, which is a risk for outdoor client work.
* Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM - If you can swing it, this is the ultimate outdoor workhorse. The compression you get at 135mm or 200mm is incredible for subject isolation. Afaik, 85mm is totally fine for indoor headshots, but for full-body stuff in a small room, it’s a struggle. Personally, I’d skip the crop-mode or adapted suggestions if you’re going pro—you want to maintain that sensor's full signal-to-noise ratio for low light. Just my 2 cents!

TL;DR: Get the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM for tight indoor spaces and the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM for outdoor work. Skip the cheap 50mm if you're planning to go pro soon. If you are worried about space, the 85mm is definitely tight. I have tried using that focal length in standard living rooms and you basically end up pinned against the far wall just to get a torso shot. Be careful with that choice if you do not have big rooms to work in. For long-term ownership, I would suggest the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM for your indoor stuff. It is versatile, but you gotta watch out for wide-angle distortion on faces if you get too close. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is the winner for bokeh tho, hands down. Honestly, I might want to consider staying away from the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for client work. It is cheap for a reason and the focus motor is kinda loud. Better to buy right the first time so you dont have to upgrade in six months.

> Also, is the 85mm too long for indoor shoots, or does it still work well in smaller spaces? If you want that amazing, pro-level subject isolation without spending a fortune, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a total game changer for the R6 II! I love it because it really forces you to refine your composition skills. It is just fantastic for those outdoor sessions you mentioned too. To answer your question about small spaces: its totally doable if you get creative! I often find myself shooting from a hallway or backing into a corner to get that perfect 85mm compression. That compression is what gives you those stunning, high-end looking portraits where the background just melts away. Its beautiful! Plus, the macro capability is a fantastic bonus for DIY detail shots. If youre doing client work, being able to snap a close-up of jewelry or eyes with the same lens is huge. Just remember that for indoors, youll need about 10-12 feet for a half-body shot. If thats too tight, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is my go-to secondary for environmental portraits. Native RF glass is definitely the way to go for that snappy AF!

Hey! I actually just got the R6 II myself. For portraits, I'm finding the RF 50mm f/1.8 pretty decent for the price. It's not the *best*, but it works well indoors and gives nice bokeh. Honestly, for starting out, it's a solid option, IMO! Hope this helps!

Hey! So, while the RF 50mm f/1.8 is a solid budget pick, and the 85mm f/2 is nice, I'd actually suggest looking at the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for RF mount. It's technically an APS-C lens, BUT the R6 II lets you use it in crop mode, giving you around 10MP. Sounds bad, but honestly, it's plenty for portraits, especially for family and friends.

Why this over the others? Well, it's sharper than the Canon 50mm f/1.8 wide open, and the 56mm focal length on a crop is roughly equivalent to an 85mm on full frame... without the 85mm's compression being *too* much for indoors. Plus, it's usually cheaper than the Canon 85mm f/2. Just something to consider if you're on a budget but want killer sharpness and bokeh. I've used it on my R7 and it's fantastic. Just make sure you're okay with the resolution hit in crop mode. Hope this helps!

Hey! I've been in your shoes, trying to find that *perfect* portrait lens without breaking the bank. Honestly, while the RF 50mm f/1.8 is good for the price, and that Sigma 56mm f/1.4 mentioned is cool, have you considered adapting an EF lens? You can often find great deals on used EF 50mm f/1.8 or even an EF 85mm f/1.8, and with a cheap adapter, they work great on the R6 II! I got an EF 50mm f/1.8 for like $80 used, plus a $20 adapter. No complaints so far, and it definitely beats the kit lens! Just a thought! Hope this helps.