Looking for recommendations for the best portrait lens on Canon EOS R8.

Question

so i just picked up the canon r8 mostly because its so light but now im spiraling trying to figure out which portrait lens to grab before my sisters backyard wedding in three weeks. i have about 700 bucks to spend and im totally torn. i was originally looking at the rf 85mm f/2 macro because i feel like 85mm is the classic choice and since the r8 doesnt have ibis the lens stabilization seems like a must have but then i read some reviews saying the autofocus is super clunky and slow which scares me if im trying to catch candid shots of people moving around. then i thought maybe i should just go with the cheap rf 50mm f/1.8 instead?

my logic was that it would give me more room to breathe if the backyard is cramped and it saves me a ton of money but will the bokeh actually look professional enough or is it gonna look like a cell phone snap? im also worried about the lack of IS on the 50mm since i tend to have shaky hands when im nervous. should i just bite the bullet on the 85mm f/2 or is there some other option i missed like maybe an adapted ef lens? i just dont want to mess this up since the wedding is so soon and i really need that blurry background look...

Paige Michelle Gray · Accepted Answer

Saw this earlier but just now responding. I have been super satisfied with the R8 for events because that sensor is just incredible. For a backyard wedding, you really want that 85mm compression to make the background melt away.

Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: This is the smart play. People complain about the AF speed but for portraits it works well and is very reliable. The 5-stop IS is the real hero here since the R8 doesn't have IBIS.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: It's a fun little lens but the bokeh is a bit nervous compared to the 85mm. Ngl, the lack of stabilization on this is a dealbreaker if you have shaky hands.

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R + Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: You can get this combo pretty cheap used. The AF is actually faster than the RF version, but you lose the IS. Honestly, just grab the RF 85mm. It's the best balance of technical specs and price for your budget.

newyorknewyork · Answer

Regarding what #1 said about the 85mm being a smart play... i'd be a little cautious with that in a tight backyard setting. things get cramped really fast and you might find yourself backing into a rose bush just to get a decent headshot. since you have that $700 budget i might suggest looking into some Sigma Art Prime glass or basically any high-end dslr prime you can find used that works with an adapter. some things to keep in mind:

make sure to check the weight because the r8 is so tiny it might feel super front-heavy with a big lens

i would suggest checking out the fred miranda forums or dpreview to see how the lenses actually handle skin tones

be careful with the entry-level glass because the bokeh can look a bit nervous or busy compared to the pro stuff just go with any fast prime from a reputable third party and you cant go wrong. honestly a 35 or 50 range is gonna be much safer for a backyard wedding anyway. i'd spend some time on lens comparison sites like dxomark to see which ones have the best wide-open performance... it really makes a difference for that professional look.

astoriaavenue · Answer

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming in. Super helpful discussion.