^ This. Also, I have been using the RF system for a few years now and honestly, you cant go wrong with the top-tier primes. For pure portrait magic, the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM is the gold standard. The rendering is just special and it handles backlit situations without much flare at all. It is heavy tho, so be ready for a workout... If you prefer more compression, the Canon RF 135mm f1.8L IS USM is probably the better buy. I have been very satisfied with the autofocus speed on this one compared to the 85mm, and the built-in IS makes a huge difference if you are shooting handheld in dim venues. For a more versatile setup, the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM works well across the board. You wont get that same shallow depth of field as the f/1.2 glass, but the sharpness is incredible and it is much easier to carry around all day. Really just comes down to whether you want that extreme bokeh or more focal range.

@Reply #8 - good point! I saw this earlier but just getting around to it. Honestly, I have been pretty disappointed with the consistency of some RF setups. I had issues with the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM and it just isnt as reliable as I hoped for portraits. It is not as good as expected when it comes to focus tracking in low light. Unfortunately, compatibility with third party stuff is a mess right now. If you want to play it safe, check out The Digital Picture for their side-by-side sharpness charts. It helps to see the actual raw data before you drop thousands. Quick tip: only use official Canon brand accessories. I tried a cheap adapter once and it almost bricked my body. Stick to the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R if you use older glass. Better safe than sorry.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 and RF 85mm f/1.2 are top choices for their exceptional quality, while the RF 85mm f/2 IS Macro offers great value for those on a budget. The RF 70-200mm f/2.8 and RF 28-70mm f/2 provide versatility for various shooting scenarios.

Building on the earlier suggestion, the 135mm is a solid choice if you want that background to just melt away. Been shooting for a long time and honestly, the glass is just one part of the equation.

• grab some cheap white poster board to use as a reflector
• experiment with DIY diffusion filters using old stockings over the lens These little tweaks change the output of even the best glass. Just gotta experiment with it. Let me know if you want any tips on building your own modifiers.

Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.

RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS.

Just catching up on this thread and building on the earlier suggestion about the 85mm and 135mm primes. You might want to consider the specific autofocus motor technology before you commit to one. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is legendary for its rendering, but be careful because it uses a ring-type USM that has to move a massive amount of heavy glass. Its not the snappiest lens for tracking subjects that are moving toward the camera. I would suggest looking at the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM if AF speed is a priority, as the Nano USM implementation is significantly faster in real-world use. Make sure to watch your depth of field closely when shooting wide open. At f/1.2, your focal plane is so thin that you might accidentally lose the focus on the iris if the subject moves even a few millimeters. Also, check the weight specs... carrying that 85mm around for an all-day shoot can be pretty brutal on your wrist. It is a lens that really benefits from using a battery grip to keep the setup balanced. Tbh, the technical performance of the 135mm is slightly better regarding chromatic aberration control, which is something to keep in mind if you shoot a lot of high-contrast backlit portraits.

RF 85mm f/2 IS Macro.

What is your budget?