I think if you're doing a wedding and want to use an 85mm, it's best to balance it out with a 35mm. But if you only want to use one lens, that's where the 50mm shines.
As you mentioned, location details are better retained with the RF 50 1.2 most of the time. On the other side, for just a blurred-out background the 70-200 2.8 will do the job, too. So the 85 is more of a luxury lens - for now I still use my EF 851.4L, which adapts nicely to the R6.
I'm using the Sigma Art 50 1.4. It was 1/3 the price of the Canon RF 50 1.2, and it's just as sharp, focuses faster, and is smaller even with the adapter.
Hi Zack, I currently have the RF 50 f1.2 and it’s fantastic, and wil remain as my main go-to lens. I recently rented the RF 85 f1.2 and, as you pointed out, it was quite heavy and caused wrist discomfort. However, the images it produced were exceptionally dreamy, with an amazing effect of bringing the background closer. Despite its weight, the quality was so remarkable that I decided to order the RF 85 this week. I plan to use it occasionally to capture specific types of photographs.
One thing that I’ve come to realize is that the distance to your subject plays an important role in how you relate to each other. Being able to speak to them without having to raise your voice is really valuable, as well as being physically closer. You’re able to connect more, so that’s a plus for wider angle lenses in portrait work.
It's convenient that you can relate to the subject verbally with more ease at shorter shooting distances than at longer shooting distances. However, a much more important and significant factor is the fact that shorter shooting distances and the use of 35mm or 50mm lenses provide a more flattering perspective and appearance for 98% of normal women (as opposed to 5'-10" supermodels weighing 100 pounds). Longer shooting distances using 85mm lenses will make the subject appear wider (fatter) than she is. So unless you have a market where women want to look fat and dumpy, I suggest you shoot at closer distances using 35 or 50mm lenses. If the nose appears too prominent spend 2 minutes in Photoshop and fix it. Please do not make women cry!
@@joansmith7649 I don't know where you get that story about the fatness of the 85mm, my friend. I have had that focal length and I personally know it is false, I have never heard it among hundreds of photographers and youtubers who have tried the 85mm, don't fantasize.
I love the way you put your descriptions into “real world” language. I also really am impressed with your personal growth over the past few years. Well done!
@@brianode11 do you use the 135mm for portraits or for travel photography? I am hoping to get a 200mm f2.8 but strangely I only see the 200 f2.0 IS available secondhand. I am sure it is a great lens but it costs over 3000 and is heavy. 😂
@@cjm8160 The last 3 portrait sessions I did was actually with the RF 50 1.8 and the adapted EF 135 2 on my R6. I like the new nifty-fifty because it’s so light, and that 135 has that magic. I used my RF 85 f2 a few times, but I’m not a huge fan of that lens for some reason. The RF 50 1.2 and 85 1.2 are awesome, but heavy, and a little too sharp for my liking for portraits. I’m still a fan of the EF 50 1.2 actually. Adapted on the R6 makes it a new lens imo over my older 5d series of canon cameras. *I’m also a fan of the RF 35 1.8
I started using my 85mm for family portraits after wedding ceremonies and while you have to stand so far back, but it makes the family photos look sooo special (groupings under 10). Couldn’t go back. I’ve always shot with a 35mm and 85mm and my partner shot with a 50mm and I must say the 50mm fills in that gap to combine environment and intimacy in a really nice way.
Great video. Does the 50mm focus faster than the 85? About 5 months ago I was deciding between 50 and 85. I knew 50mm is a nicer focal length for my.shooting style, but the 85s image is unique, besides bokehing everything. I went with the 85mm and have been using it daily and love it. I slapped on my 50 1.8 and love that wider range for sure. One day ,I'll grab the 50mm also. Thanks for the great video
I like the RF 50mm 1.2 because it shows more environment. I have the RF 85mm F2 and used to use that all the time for portraits before I got my 1.2. I think I'd rather get a 135mm to pair with it, otherwise just use the 70-200mm 2.8 when I really want a blown out and blurry background.
Great point re: minimum focus distance. I'm still on the fence about which one to buy but you've definitely given me some great things to further consider!
@@skyiswomb1 it’s very sharp. The fast autofocus of the R6 works even with adapted third party EF mount lenses like the sigma 50mm so I am happy to continue using it.
Used to own 85mm F1.4, but every time I would used it, it just didn't click with me mostly because it is too narrow and it removes too much environment so all I'm left with is just a subject with no story behind it. To me, that felt a bit too dull and lifeless
Nice video, thanks! I use the EF85 way more than the EF50 in weddings and portraits. I was about to sell both for RF versions, but after watched your RF/EF50 vid, I decided to keep the 50 as it is pretty good already and now getting the RF85 to replace the EF. After hearing/reading/watching how great the RF85 is, I can't wait to give it a try. While I still like the EF85 f1.2 very much and love the images from it, I hope to get the next legendary 85 for the RF system as I'll be keeping it for a long time.
I mostly use 85 mm and 35mm. I realised that 50mm is not very exciting focal length. I sometimes turn the camera to crop factor for my 35mm if the space is not enough for 85mm. Most times it is enough.
As always I appreciate your video's and point of view. As an architectural photographer the 50 and 85mm are more like a fun focal length for me and therefore I will probably save the money and adapt the Sigma 50 1.4 EF on my R6 II. I'll use it on my R7 as well to get that reach of an 80mm, so it's kind of a 2 in 1 ;)
I think many people use the 85mm just like they use the 50 and step back vs us using it has a "full body portrait lens" The 85's DOF and distortion make it amazing when shooting full length portraits or even couples.
this is a good video. the key takeaway, i think, is that purpose drives which is best. if you can have only one lens (or only want to carry one lens) the 50mm 1.2 is a great choice. for people with a more extensive kit, pairing the 85mm 1.2 with another lens makes a lot of sense. for indoor and most portrait work, the pairing i'm using is the 85 1.2 (best in class rendering and blown out backgrounds) alongside the 28-70 f2 (to support wider, environmental shots or full body if i don't have working room for the 85). in my experience, unless in very, very low light, F2 is almost always good enough in terms of light allowance and subject separation... and where environment is an important consideration, i don't want the background resolved to nothing anyway. if i need to shoot at distance for some reason, i can pair it with a 70-200 2.8 with good effect as well.
I currently have an RF 35 f1.8, RF 28-70 f2.0 and the RF 85 f1.2. I’m loving this combo. The 28-70 is very versatile, the 85 creates that magic and the 35 is macro so it allows me to get rings and very close details. I have been struggling with getting either the 50 or the 70-200. I think the 70-200 will be the better choice so I have more reach, and I can cover 50 with my 28-70. But the 50 is much lighter and has that 1.2 stop. So I keep going back and forth on which one to get.
I have the opposite point of view. I bought the 85 1.2 in December then decided to add the 50 1.2 about a week ago. I prefer the punched in look of the 85,however the 50 has it’s unique application as well. Both lenses are absolutely awesome delivering excellent image quality. I am considering adding the 135 1.8 as well even though I have the RF 135 2.8.
nice and comprehensive video, awesome work Zach. I feel like a lot of people will go for the 85 mm over 50 but they may actually get the same mileage with the 50 mm. All you really have to do is just take a couple steps forward or backwards to get the right shot so I can understand your skepticism. I personally would take the 85 over 50 for no real reason honestly😂
i think the 85 is amazing, me personally i went with the 50 1.2 and the rf 100 macro for those tighter shots, its an amazing combination…plus it saved me over a grand !
just checked into the tube to have another think about the 85 and yep still got it! sometimes think I could update a camera body by thinning down my lenses and make choosing what I use more straight forward. Just don't think I can let that 85 go!
My walk around lens for just hobby stuff is a 45mm, but at events I always find myself not really needing such a "middle of the road" focal length. I want context OR details. 35mm and 85mm works really well for that IMO and while I love 45 and 50, there are a lot of circumstances where I just don’t need the middle as much and would rather have the two extremes (ok, 35mm isn’t that extreme I guess) rather than the middle of the road. Even though in some spaces 85mm can be too tight. Sometimes I’d like to have a 75 for smaller spaces.
It always depends on the kind of shot you want, so there is no such thing as 1 lens for everything. Even if you just mean portraits and no establishing or master shots, you can get a different feel with each and different characteristics. So you just buy what you like, if it helps you get a certain look you want for a scene
From my experience, the 50mm (I haven't used the RF 50 1.2 but have used the EF 50 1.2 extensively) would likely need to be paired with a longer lens for portraits, is much easier to use, more versatile. The 85 can work if that is the only lens you have for portraits and looks nearly as good as my 200 f2 but can be difficult to impossible to use for smaller locations. "Magic" is a strange thing to talk about though but... having used the RF 85 1.2 for 2yr+, I find it quite difficult to believe that the 50 1.2 has similar "magic" 😛
TBH if you can't decide between these two, you could go for the 28-70 f2. It's like having 3 primes in one. No, it's not quite as long as the 85 but you can't argue with it's versatility.
I have the RF 15 - 35mm 2.8 and the RF 70 - 200mm 2.8 so I'm leaning towards the RF 50mm 1.2 to sit in the middle of these too as I need a great low light prime. The 85mm 1.2 would be something that I would definitely think about investing in later down the line but the RF 70 - 200mm is excellent for bokeh at its full range and very flattering for portraits. So to me the 85mm would be more of a lens I want than need with my camera kit at present, with the 50mm being a lot more practical to start with.
Both! I cheat. I have a 50 with an R6 and an R10. I get 50mm when its on the R6 and 81mm when its on the R10. Best of both worlds and a lot cheaper than buying two lenses ha.
Correct answer: Portraits of supermodels (or scrawny men) with a BMI of 15-18 = Longer shooting distances and the use of 85mm lens. Portraits of the other 98% of women and men = Shorter shooting distances and the use of the 50mm lens. If you screw this up, and you shoot the typical woman at a longer shooting distance with an 85mm lens, you will definitely make her appear shorter, dumpier, squattier, and fatter than if you had used a shorter shooting distance and a 50mm lens. On the plus side, your background will have a creamy dreamy bokeh with the 85mm lens, and your background will really really appreciate that even if the subject of the portrait session (who is paying for the portrait session) is disheartened and goes home in tears.
Now that we have the most clear and sharpest camera lenses we add flickering and distracting colour lights into the edit video . What do you intend, making it look like a Super 8 movie from the 70s??? That's not cool. 😐
I think if you're doing a wedding and want to use an 85mm, it's best to balance it out with a 35mm. But if you only want to use one lens, that's where the 50mm shines.
Yes! I've been pairing my 85 with the 24-70 and loving it! Thanks for watching :)
Your comment about ge the 50 first then gravitate to the 85 is spot on. That's what I did but my absolute all time favourite is the 85
As you mentioned, location details are better retained with the RF 50 1.2 most of the time. On the other side, for just a blurred-out background the 70-200 2.8 will do the job, too. So the 85 is more of a luxury lens - for now I still use my EF 851.4L, which adapts nicely to the R6.
Yeah, you have a point! Thanks for watching!
I second this Tom. Had the 50 and 85 rf lenses and ended up selling the 85 because the 70-200mm was much more practical. Haven’t really missed the 85.
I'm using the Sigma Art 50 1.4. It was 1/3 the price of the Canon RF 50 1.2, and it's just as sharp, focuses faster, and is smaller even with the adapter.
Hi Zack, I currently have the RF 50 f1.2 and it’s fantastic, and wil remain as my main go-to lens. I recently rented the RF 85 f1.2 and, as you pointed out, it was quite heavy and caused wrist discomfort. However, the images it produced were exceptionally dreamy, with an amazing effect of bringing the background closer. Despite its weight, the quality was so remarkable that I decided to order the RF 85 this week. I plan to use it occasionally to capture specific types of photographs.
I love the 85 so much. Congrats on the new lens!
One thing that I’ve come to realize is that the distance to your subject plays an important role in how you relate to each other. Being able to speak to them without having to raise your voice is really valuable, as well as being physically closer. You’re able to connect more, so that’s a plus for wider angle lenses in portrait work.
It's convenient that you can relate to the subject verbally with more ease at shorter shooting distances than at longer shooting distances. However, a much more important and significant factor is the fact that shorter shooting distances and the use of 35mm or 50mm lenses provide a more flattering perspective and appearance for 98% of normal women (as opposed to 5'-10" supermodels weighing 100 pounds). Longer shooting distances using 85mm lenses will make the subject appear wider (fatter) than she is. So unless you have a market where women want to look fat and dumpy, I suggest you shoot at closer distances using 35 or 50mm lenses. If the nose appears too prominent spend 2 minutes in Photoshop and fix it. Please do not make women cry!
@@joansmith7649 I don't know where you get that story about the fatness of the 85mm, my friend. I have had that focal length and I personally know it is false, I have never heard it among hundreds of photographers and youtubers who have tried the 85mm, don't fantasize.
I love the way you put your descriptions into “real world” language. I also really am impressed with your personal growth over the past few years. Well done!
Ah, thanks so much, Keith!! Really means a lot! :)
I like using the RF 50 over the 85, and bringing the EF 135 for that magic factor.
Wish they'd still sell this EF 135...
@@tom_k_d I just got a used one online. Was mint, for a great price.
@@brianode11 do you use the 135mm for portraits or for travel photography? I am hoping to get a 200mm f2.8 but strangely I only see the 200 f2.0 IS available secondhand. I am sure it is a great lens but it costs over 3000 and is heavy. 😂
@@cjm8160 The last 3 portrait sessions I did was actually with the RF 50 1.8 and the adapted EF 135 2 on my R6. I like the new nifty-fifty because it’s so light, and that 135 has that magic. I used my RF 85 f2 a few times, but I’m not a huge fan of that lens for some reason. The RF 50 1.2 and 85 1.2 are awesome, but heavy, and a little too sharp for my liking for portraits. I’m still a fan of the EF 50 1.2 actually. Adapted on the R6 makes it a new lens imo over my older 5d series of canon cameras.
*I’m also a fan of the RF 35 1.8
I started using my 85mm for family portraits after wedding ceremonies and while you have to stand so far back, but it makes the family photos look sooo special (groupings under 10). Couldn’t go back.
I’ve always shot with a 35mm and 85mm and my partner shot with a 50mm and I must say the 50mm fills in that gap to combine environment and intimacy in a really nice way.
I love em both... those two and the 70-200 2.8
In my opinion: let the beauty of the background decide. Ugly location: tele, nice location: wide angle. Easy :)
Haha solid point. Thanks for watching :)
I love this!
Great video. Does the 50mm focus faster than the 85? About 5 months ago I was deciding between 50 and 85. I knew 50mm is a nicer focal length for my.shooting style, but the 85s image is unique, besides bokehing everything. I went with the 85mm and have been using it daily and love it. I slapped on my 50 1.8 and love that wider range for sure. One day ,I'll grab the 50mm also. Thanks for the great video
I like the RF 50mm 1.2 because it shows more environment. I have the RF 85mm F2 and used to use that all the time for portraits before I got my 1.2. I think I'd rather get a 135mm to pair with it, otherwise just use the 70-200mm 2.8 when I really want a blown out and blurry background.
Great point re: minimum focus distance. I'm still on the fence about which one to buy but you've definitely given me some great things to further consider!
I have the RF 85 f1.2 and use the EF mount Sigma 50 f1.4.
Ah nice!! Thanks for watching :)
How do you like the sigma?
@@skyiswomb1 it’s very sharp. The fast autofocus of the R6 works even with adapted third party EF mount lenses like the sigma 50mm so I am happy to continue using it.
Where do you rent lenses? What a great resource before purchasing
Used to own 85mm F1.4, but every time I would used it, it just didn't click with me mostly because it is too narrow and it removes too much environment so all I'm left with is just a subject with no story behind it. To me, that felt a bit too dull and lifeless
Oh XF33 & XF56, a favorite pairing with my XP3!
As a pure portrait lens I gravitate to the 85 focal length. 50mm bores me because it looks so normal, but it is very flexible. I just don’t prefer it.
Nice video, thanks! I use the EF85 way more than the EF50 in weddings and portraits. I was about to sell both for RF versions, but after watched your RF/EF50 vid, I decided to keep the 50 as it is pretty good already and now getting the RF85 to replace the EF. After hearing/reading/watching how great the RF85 is, I can't wait to give it a try. While I still like the EF85 f1.2 very much and love the images from it, I hope to get the next legendary 85 for the RF system as I'll be keeping it for a long time.
I mostly use 85 mm and 35mm. I realised that 50mm is not very exciting focal length. I sometimes turn the camera to crop factor for my 35mm if the space is not enough for 85mm. Most times it is enough.
Both of them are much better than any zoom. Good luck.
As always I appreciate your video's and point of view. As an architectural photographer the 50 and 85mm are more like a fun focal length for me and therefore I will probably save the money and adapt the Sigma 50 1.4 EF on my R6 II. I'll use it on my R7 as well to get that reach of an 80mm, so it's kind of a 2 in 1 ;)
Thanks for watching :)
mine is rf 100 2.8 L for portraits and macro at the same time.
Thanks for watching! :)
I think many people use the 85mm just like they use the 50 and step back vs us using it has a "full body portrait lens" The 85's DOF and distortion make it amazing when shooting full length portraits or even couples.
this is a good video. the key takeaway, i think, is that purpose drives which is best. if you can have only one lens (or only want to carry one lens) the 50mm 1.2 is a great choice. for people with a more extensive kit, pairing the 85mm 1.2 with another lens makes a lot of sense.
for indoor and most portrait work, the pairing i'm using is the 85 1.2 (best in class rendering and blown out backgrounds) alongside the 28-70 f2 (to support wider, environmental shots or full body if i don't have working room for the 85). in my experience, unless in very, very low light, F2 is almost always good enough in terms of light allowance and subject separation... and where environment is an important consideration, i don't want the background resolved to nothing anyway.
if i need to shoot at distance for some reason, i can pair it with a 70-200 2.8 with good effect as well.
I currently have an RF 35 f1.8, RF 28-70 f2.0 and the RF 85 f1.2. I’m loving this combo. The 28-70 is very versatile, the 85 creates that magic and the 35 is macro so it allows me to get rings and very close details. I have been struggling with getting either the 50 or the 70-200. I think the 70-200 will be the better choice so I have more reach, and I can cover 50 with my 28-70. But the 50 is much lighter and has that 1.2 stop. So I keep going back and forth on which one to get.
I guess it would be possible to just go into APS-C mode on your full frame to try out a bit how a 85mm would feel when taking a 50mm to a shoot?
I have the opposite point of view. I bought the 85 1.2 in December then decided to add the 50 1.2 about a week ago. I prefer the punched in look of the 85,however the 50 has it’s unique application as well. Both lenses are absolutely awesome delivering excellent image quality. I am considering adding the 135 1.8 as well even though I have the RF 135 2.8.
nice and comprehensive video, awesome work Zach.
I feel like a lot of people will go for the 85 mm over 50 but they may actually get the same mileage with the 50 mm. All you really have to do is just take a couple steps forward or backwards to get the right shot so I can understand your skepticism. I personally would take the 85 over 50 for no real reason honestly😂
Haha I love it! Thanks for watching! :)
I have the old 85 1.8 ef lens and it’s my cream machine lens. I love 85 for street photo also. I’m shy so the 85 keeps me always from people lol
i think the 85 is amazing, me personally i went with the 50 1.2 and the rf 100 macro for those tighter shots, its an amazing combination…plus it saved me over a grand !
I appreciate your insights. I have the 50mm 1.2 and am considering adding either the 85mm 1.2 or the 135mm 1.8… Have you tried the 135?
Yes, the 135 is awesome! I use the 85 more but love both.
Have my 85 up for sale, am I going to regret letting it go!! my thinking is I can use 70-200 in its place and when I want the prime use the 50mm 1.8
I keep thinking about this!! I want to make a comparison between the 70-200 and 85. Thanks for watching!
just checked into the tube to have another think about the 85 and yep still got it! sometimes think I could update a camera body by thinning down my lenses and make choosing what I use more straight forward. Just don't think I can let that 85 go!
My walk around lens for just hobby stuff is a 45mm, but at events I always find myself not really needing such a "middle of the road" focal length. I want context OR details. 35mm and 85mm works really well for that IMO and while I love 45 and 50, there are a lot of circumstances where I just don’t need the middle as much and would rather have the two extremes (ok, 35mm isn’t that extreme I guess) rather than the middle of the road. Even though in some spaces 85mm can be too tight. Sometimes I’d like to have a 75 for smaller spaces.
I prefer the minimum focus distance of the 50mm. It's like half what the 85mm is!
My rf85 f1.2L combo with rf28-70 f2L.
Love that combo!
Don't u use your lens hoods? I also don't like using them but I really don't like loosing contrast.
Yeah, I use them when I need them!
@@TheZachMendez It can be subtle and go unnoticed until you actually put it back on.
It always depends on the kind of shot you want, so there is no such thing as 1 lens for everything. Even if you just mean portraits and no establishing or master shots, you can get a different feel with each and different characteristics. So you just buy what you like, if it helps you get a certain look you want for a scene
Btw which camera strap do u use ?
I have both of these lenses both are gorgeous but mainly use the 85.
I love them both! Thanks for watching :)
I have both.....In EF.
85mm + 35mm, hands down the best portrait combo
Can't wait for the RF 35L! Thanks for watching :)
From my experience, the 50mm (I haven't used the RF 50 1.2 but have used the EF 50 1.2 extensively) would likely need to be paired with a longer lens for portraits, is much easier to use, more versatile. The 85 can work if that is the only lens you have for portraits and looks nearly as good as my 200 f2 but can be difficult to impossible to use for smaller locations. "Magic" is a strange thing to talk about though but... having used the RF 85 1.2 for 2yr+, I find it quite difficult to believe that the 50 1.2 has similar "magic" 😛
35mm 1.4 GM & 85mm gmii
I'm going to rent the 50 for a family session and the 85 for one person session ❤. There, I've made up my mind ❤😅
Sounds great! Thanks for watching :)
50mm it's give u more scene or variaty and best all around between 35 and 85mm
85mm gang here. 💪🏼
I’d rather just use the rf70-200 over the 85. Seems like a much better value.
I do love the 70-200
The RF85 1.2 is magic, but the 50 is a workhorse lens. Both are in my kit but the 50 Is what stays on my R5 most of the time.
Makes sense - thank you for watching :)
TBH if you can't decide between these two, you could go for the 28-70 f2. It's like having 3 primes in one. No, it's not quite as long as the 85 but you can't argue with it's versatility.
Just made a video about that lens!
Its just to heavy.
Zach!
50 and 135 and I’m ok.
RF 28-70 F2 and for extra spice an EF 85 1.2 II L
Yo personalmente, prefiero el 50 mm y hacer recorte, hay información en la imagen de sobras
Thank you so much for watching! :)
im a 50 1.2 and a 70-200 2.8 guy lol
1:25 WTF bro… lens scratching the ground 😑
35mm beats both
I have the RF 15 - 35mm 2.8 and the RF 70 - 200mm 2.8 so I'm leaning towards the RF 50mm 1.2 to sit in the middle of these too as I need a great low light prime. The 85mm 1.2 would be something that I would definitely think about investing in later down the line but the RF 70 - 200mm is excellent for bokeh at its full range and very flattering for portraits. So to me the 85mm would be more of a lens I want than need with my camera kit at present, with the 50mm being a lot more practical to start with.
Both! I cheat. I have a 50 with an R6 and an R10. I get 50mm when its on the R6 and 81mm when its on the R10. Best of both worlds and a lot cheaper than buying two lenses ha.
what you really should buy is a 35mm
Ich hätte gerne beide in meiner Tasche
Correct answer:
Portraits of supermodels (or scrawny men) with a BMI of 15-18 = Longer shooting distances and the use of 85mm lens.
Portraits of the other 98% of women and men = Shorter shooting distances and the use of the 50mm lens.
If you screw this up, and you shoot the typical woman at a longer shooting distance with an 85mm lens, you will definitely make her appear shorter, dumpier, squattier, and fatter than if you had used a shorter shooting distance and a 50mm lens. On the plus side, your background will have a creamy dreamy bokeh with the 85mm lens, and your background will really really appreciate that even if the subject of the portrait session (who is paying for the portrait session) is disheartened and goes home in tears.
So 35 maybe.
The ideal set for weddings is 35mm and 85mm. 50mm - neither here nor there!
Now that we have the most clear and sharpest camera lenses we add flickering and distracting colour lights into the edit video . What do you intend, making it look like a Super 8 movie from the 70s??? That's not cool. 😐
Ouch ok! Thanks for the input!
good stuff I'm an 85 person
Nice - thanks for watching!