Which is the best portrait lens for a new Canon EOS R100?

Question

I just got this Canon EOS R100 because it was on sale at Best Buy and honestly I am so lost. I have always just used my iPhone but my daughter is graduating from high school in June and I really want to take some of those nice photos where the person is clear but the trees and stuff behind them are all blurry and soft. I think its called bokeh? Or something like that.

Right now I just have the little lens that came in the box, it says 18-45mm on it. I tried taking some test shots of her in our backyard here in Chicago and they just look like regular phone pictures. Everything is in focus and it looks kinda flat and boring. I was reading some stuff online and people keep talking about fast lenses and prime lenses and I have no idea what that even means. Like, does the lens move faster? I am sorry if that sounds stupid lol I am just very new to all this.

My budget is pretty tight because we are spending a lot on the graduation party, so I can probably only do like $250 or maybe $300 if it is really worth it. I saw something about a 50mm lens that is cheap but then someone else said that on my camera it acts like an 80mm lens because of the sensor size?? That part really confused me. Is it going to be too zoomed in? I dont want to have to stand a mile away just to get her in the frame.

I just want her to look great in her cap and gown. We are going to a park after the ceremony and I want to make sure I have the right gear before then. My main goals are:

easy to use

not too expensive

makes the background really blurry

I dont want to buy something and then realize it doesnt even fit the R100 or that it does the same thing as the kit lens I already have. Does anyone have a recommendation for a specific lens that is easy for a beginner but gives those really pretty professional looking backgrounds for portraits?

citythatneversleeps · Accepted Answer

You 100% need to grab the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM right now! Its an absolute game changer and usually well under $200, so its perfect for your budget.

It creates amazing bokeh.

Its super light.

That 80mm equivalent is basically the sweet spot for portraits! Youll love the results for graduation! Its so much better than your kit lens, trust me!

brightbeachbound · Answer

Like someone mentioned, the 50mm is usually the way to go, but let me explain why your current lens is frustrating you. Ive been through a dozen different setups over the years, and the kit lens that comes in the box is almost always the weakest link for portraits. It is a slow lens, meaning the aperture (that f-number) is too high. When photographers talk about a fast lens, they just mean the lens has a huge opening to let light in. Your 18-45mm probably sits around f/6.3 when you are zoomed in. Something like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is way faster because f/1.8 is a much larger opening. Heres the breakdown of what that actually does for you:

Background Blur: A lower f-number creates a thinner slice of focus. At f/1.8, her eyes will be sharp but the trees behind her will melt into that soft bokeh you are looking for.

The 80mm Thing: Yes, your R100 sensor crops the image. But for portraits? That is a blessing. It forces you to stand back a bit, which prevents that big nose distortion you often get from phone cameras. It is very flattering for graduation shots.

Lighting: If the sun starts going down or you move indoors for the party, that f/1.8 aperture will keep your photos from looking grainy and dark. If you feel like 50mm is just too tight for the parks in Chicago, you could look at the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM, but it is usually pricier. Honestly, for $200ish, that 50mm is unbeatable for a beginner.

penelope.duncan · Answer

Late to the party here, but I have to say, that Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is honestly pretty disappointing for what you want. My experience with it has been frustrating because it is way too dark and the images always end up looking flat, which is not as good as expected for a modern camera. Unfortunately, since you are worried about the zoom being too much, the only other real option in your budget is the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM. It is right at the $300 mark and is much more versatile for a park setting where you dont want to stand 20 feet away just to get a shot. One quick tip tho... just remember that blur is mostly about distance. You need to put a lot of space between your daughter and whatever trees are behind her. If she is leaning right against a bush, it wont blur out much. Keep her close to you and the background far away and you will actually get that look you are after.