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My next prime portrait lens should be ... ?

Started 7 months ago | Questions thread
ex human Regular Member • Posts: 194
Re: My next prime portrait lens should be ... ?
5

I’ve (relatively speaking) used a ton of lenses.

All-in, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM is the best lens I’ve ever used.

The resolving power, even at 1.2, is jaw-dropping.

AF accuracy on the R5 is lethal.

Rich, saturated colours.

Minimal CA.

Beautiful foreground/background rendering.  I essentially never have to layer mask to get subject pop vs. background with this lens.

Price and size/weight are obviously downsides with this lens, but it’s nearly perfect otherwise.

With this lens on the R5 you’re basically guaranteed limitless brilliant keepers from any portrait session.

Those are just the facts 😂

atolk wrote:

I don't strictly speaking NEED a portrait lens because I don't shoot all that many portraits, and my EF 70-200mm f/2.8 and EF 85mm f/1.8 are adequate, but I have the bokeh envy from all the FB posts and YouTube reviews, and I know that I am supposed to want a prime lens for sharpness (I think my old 85mm 1.8 has issues), so I am thinking about getting a lens that I don't need but will love and use a lot. And just in time for a requested senior shoot. Make the customer's friends and family ooh and aah and start knocking my door down for more sessions.

Let's say the RF 85mm f/1.2 at $2,699 sets the upper limit of desirability and budget.

Let's say that something like Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF at around $499 is an acceptable low end alternative. (Oh, and I just found out than an RF version exists, except it seems that it does not.)

Not to mention the $349 manual focus version with RF mount. An option? Why not?

And the three famous Sigma ART lenses comfortable occupying the middle tier and running between $1,049 and $1,499, commanding a cult following of sorts.

In your own humble professional opinion, what lens delivers the greatest wow/price ratio? Make your recommendation as succinct or verbose as you please.

I will buy the lens YOU recommend. And if I don't, we can have a nice gear chat.

Samples are always welcome! Especially if you do senior shoots.

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