17/03/2026 9:40 pm
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I finally picked up the R10 a few weeks ago and I'm honestly loving the autofocus but the kit lens just isnt doing it for portraits. I've got my sisters graduation coming up in early October and I really want to get those blurry backgrounds, you know, that nice bokeh look. My budget is pretty firm around $400-$500 max because I spent most of my savings on the body itself and I really cant go over that right now.
So I was thinking about the RF 50mm f1.8 because everyone says its the nifty fifty and its super cheap but then I started reading about the crop factor on the R10 since its an APS-C sensor. If I use the 50mm it acts like an 80mm right? That sounds okay for portraits but then I saw people raving about the RF 85mm f2 Macro. My logic was that the 85mm would be even better for headshots but wait if I multiply that by 1.6 it becomes like 136mm? That feels like I'd have to stand in the next county just to get her in the frame... or maybe not? I'm so confused if the 50mm is long enough for that professional look or if I should save a bit more for the 85mm.
Also the 85mm has image stabilization but the 50mm doesnt and the R10 doesnt have IBIS so my hands are kinda shaky sometimes when I'm trying to line up a shot. I also looked at some older Sigma EF lenses with the adapter but the adapter alone is like 100 bucks and it makes the whole thing so bulky and heavy. I just want something native that doesnt feel like a brick in my bag when we go to the park for the shoot.
- is the 50mm too wide for tight headshots on this specific camera?
- does the lack of stabilization on the 50mm actually matter if I'm shooting outside in the sun?
- should I just bite the bullet and get the 85mm even if it's way longer than I think I need?
It's all a bit overwhelming trying to figure out the math and I dont want to waste money on the wrong glass right before this big event...
4 Answers
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17/03/2026 10:05 pm
> I'm so confused if the 50mm is long enough for that professional look... The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is definitely long enough for professional results. That 80mm equivalent is a classic portrait length. Since youll be shooting outdoors in daylight, you can keep your shutter speeds high to offset any camera shake. The Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is great glass, but it might be too restrictive in busy graduation crowds where space is limited.
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17/03/2026 10:05 pm
@Reply #1 - good point! I started with the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM but unfortunately I had issues with my shaky hands since it lacks IS. It was not as good as expected for crisp shots. I ended up getting the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM and that IS is a lifesaver. The 136mm reach is tight but the compression looks way more professional imo.
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17/03/2026 9:41 pm
In my experience, people get way too caught up in the crop factor math. I've used nearly every RF lens out there and for an APS-C body like yours, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the smartest move.
- 50mm is perfect. It gives you an 80mm field of view which is the sweet spot for portraits. Its definitely not too wide for headshots.
- You dont need IS in the sun. If youre shooting at 1/500 or 1/1000 in daylight, stabilization basically does nothing for your shots.
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a great lens but 136mm is honestly too long for a graduation where youll be fighting for space in a crowd. Save your money for now. The 50mm is tiny, sharp, and does exactly what you need for that blurry background look without the bulk.
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23/03/2026 5:41 pm
Just caught up on this thread and honestly... I am struggling with this exact same dilemma for my own R10. It is a tough spot to be in because you want that reliability but every path has a catch. I have been looking at the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM but the lack of IS is a huge red flag for me too. See, the way the physics works on our crop sensors, that 80mm effective reach makes camera shake way more noticeable than a wider lens would. You have to be so careful with your shutter speed to keep things sharp because you dont have the IBIS to save you. Then you look at the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM and while the IS helps the shakiness, that 136mm equivalent field of view is incredibly tight. In a crowded graduation setting, you might find yourself constantly hitting walls or other people trying to get the framing right. It is like you are choosing between potential motion blur or just being too close to the subject. I am still sitting on the fence myself because I dont want to drop the cash and end up with blurry or poorly framed photos on a big day. It is a real gamble either way.
