14/04/2026 5:31 am
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So I finally pulled the trigger on the R5 Mark II last week and honestly my wallet is still recovering from the shock. I've been doing more professional portrait work lately mostly outdoor family sessions and some corporate headshots in my home studio here in Seattle and I really feel like my current setup isn't doing the new sensor justice. I’m basically torn between three paths right now and my brain is kinda fried from watching way too many YouTube reviews.
First choice is obviously the RF 85mm f1.2L. I know it's basically the gold standard for Canon shooters but the weight is kind of a big deal for me because I usually shoot for 2 or 3 hours at a time and that thing is a total brick. Plus it’s like $2700 which is literally every cent I have left in my equipment budget for the rest of 2024. Is the "magic" really worth the price tag over everything else? I keep seeing people say it’s the best lens ever made but I’m worried I’ll regret the weight after an hour of holding it.
Then I was thinking maybe the RF 50mm f1.2L instead. My logic was that it would be more versatile for full body shots and maybe some lifestyle stuff but I’m worried about the perspective for tight headshots compared to the 85mm. I also looked at the RF 85mm f2 macro as a budget-friendly way to save money for some new Godox lights but I'm scared the autofocus won't be fast enough for toddlers running around during family shoots which is like 60% of my work right now. I really need that Eye AF to be sticky and I’ve heard the non-L primes can be a bit sluggish.
I’ve got about a $2500 limit if I want to keep my wife happy and I need to have this sorted by the second week of next month for a big graduation shoot I have lined up. If you had to pick one prime to live on an R5II for high-end portraits would you go for the heavy 85mm 1.2 or is the 50mm 1.2 a better all-rounder for someone who doesnt want to carry two bodies...
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14/04/2026 5:32 am
Get the Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM.
- Way more versatile
- Cheaper than the 85 In my experience the f2 macro AF just wont catch toddlers, so dont waste your money.
12
14/04/2026 5:55 am
> Is the "magic" really worth the price tag over everything else? I keep seeing people say it’s the best lens ever made but I’m worried I’ll regret the weight after an hour of holding it. Been thinking about your dilemma for a few hours and honestly, you're right to be cautious about the weight. The Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM is a masterpiece, but it weighs nearly 2.6 lbs. Pairing that with an R5II for a long outdoor session with toddlers is a recipe for a sore wrist and missed shots because you're struggling with the ergonomics. If you're worried about the 85mm f2 being too slow (which it is, that STM motor hunts a lot), I would suggest looking at the Canon RF 135mm f1.8L IS USM as a serious alternative. It is lighter than the 85mm 1.2, has incredible Nano USM motors that'll stick to a running toddler's eye instantly, and the bokeh is just as creamy. Plus, at around $2100, it leaves you enough room in that $2500 budget for some extra gear. A few things to keep in mind:
- Tight headshots at 50mm can distort features, making noses look larger than they are.
- The Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM is great for lifestyle, but you might find yourself cropping a lot for those corporate shots.
- Make sure to check the working distance in your home studio if you go with a longer focal length like 135mm. I'd be careful about blowing your whole budget on the 85mm 1.2 right now. If you're doing professional work, having a bit of cash left over for a backup or lighting is usually the smarter move. Use that extra $400 or so for a Godox AD200Pro TTL Pocket Flash and you'll probably see a bigger jump in your final image quality anyway.
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14/04/2026 6:05 am
Unfortunately the 50mm focal length often creates unflattering facial distortion for tight headshots. Have you looked into the 135mm focal range or are you definitely sticking with 50mm and 85mm choices?
