My Cart
 

Frame by Frame CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS, REVIEWS, TIPS AND TUTORIALS
Which portrait lens is right for me? Comparing 3 Canon RF Portrait Lenses

Gear

Which portrait lens is right for me? Comparing 3 Canon RF Portrait Lenses

March 14, 2024  |  by Lindsay Adler

When it comes to gear as a portrait photographer, lens choice is one of the most important decisions you can make. Your choice in lens is what helps you tackle technical challenges (ie: low light) or aesthetic preferences (ie: bokeh).

As a Canon Explorer of Light, I want to provide you a quick comparison of 3 Canon RF lenses and which one may be the best choice for you as a portrait or fashion photographer. I’m going to share examples of when each of these tools really stand out from the others, and hopefully I’ll help you make decisions for your next purchase or what to pack in your bag! 

We are going to look at: 

  1. Canon RF 85mm 1.2

  2. Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 and F4.0

  3. Canon RF 70-200mm 2.8

RF 85mm 1.2

If you love extremely narrow depths of field and beautiful bokeh, this is the lens for you.  

85mm has long been a go-to focal length for portrait photographers because it is flattering on the facial features, but not so long that it requires a lot of distance to compose a nice head and shoulders shot. This lens is super sharp and with the help of Canon’s mirrorless face and eye tracking, you can realistically shoot wide open and still nail your focus.

Canon RF 85mm F/1.2
Canon RF 85mm F/1.2

When I shoot on location, I almost always bring this lens. Shooting in an urban area it is nice to be able to simplify my backgrounds. In the studio sometimes I’ll even play around with creative bokeh, allowing the F1.2 to really shine. Furthermore, if I am shooting in a low light situation sometimes that super wide aperture is a bonus, though those are not my usual shooting conditions. 

The downside of this lens, however, is its fixed focal length. If you need to easily and quickly switch to full length shots or work in a very small studio space, this lens probably isn’t going to suit your needs. If, however, you are working primarily with headshots or almost always on location, this will be a fabulous choice. 

RF 24-105mm 2.8 and F4.0 

A RF 24-105mm lens is my favorite choice for the type of work I do. I shoot a lot, shoot quickly, and capture a range of images from full length, to mid length, to close up shots all within a matter of moments. The 24-105mm is what sits on my camera a majority of the time I’m in the studio. 

So, if you shoot like me and versatility is key, this is a must-have. Furthermore, if you are in a very tight studio space you’ll likely benefit from the wider focal length range. 

Alright, so the big question is… F2.8 or 4.0… which do you need? 

To begin with, the F4.0 is less than half the price of its F2.8 counterpart, so the question to ask yourself is… do I need the extra stop of light and the narrower depth of field? 

For a majority of my work in the studio, I do not shoot at F2.8. I’m frequently shooting on solid seamless paper backgrounds that do not benefit from a narrow depth of field, so the F4.0 is more than enough. 

If, however, you like to shoot with a narrower depth of field on location, or regularly shoot in low light like a wedding reception, you’ll probably want that extra stop. I also should note that the F2.8 is sharper than the F4.0, so if extra-super-duper sharpness is essential to you that is something to think about. 

Canon RF 24-105mm
Canon RF 24-105mm
Canon RF 24-105mm

I recently picked up the F2.8 version because it lets me cut down on the amount of gear in my bag. In a single shot I used it in a natural light set wide open, in the studio, and then at night in low light, and I found that the benefits for F2.8 were worth it for me. I really didn’t need any other lens. 

So what’s the downside? The price is significantly more than the F4.0 and it is definitely larger than the F4.0– so if lightweight or compact is essential for how you work, that may affect your decision. 

RF 70-200mm 2.8

The 70-200mm focal length range has long been loved by portrait and wedding photographers. You can achieve extremely tight shots and if you are outdoors and you want to compress the subject against a background, that 200mm focal length really comes in handy. 

Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8
Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8
Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8

I think this lens becomes a bit more useful on location, personally because of the way it allows control of the environment and reduces the field of view while compressing the subject to the background. 

In a really small studio space this focal length is not your friend if you are trying to shoot wider shots without a lot of room to move around. 

I tend to only gravitate to this lens in the studio when I am trying to get really tight shots, moving in closer than head and shoulders and perhaps getting a detailed beauty image. 

Bringing it all Together

What does this mean for you? First you have to ask yourself, what are your most important considerations? I’m going to oversimplify this here, but here is a quick summary. 

  • Shoot on location and love narrow depth of field? Try the RF 85mm 1.2 

  • Need versatility? Grab the RF 24-105mm F2.8. If that’s too much for your budget, grab the RF 24-105mm F4.0. 

  • Shoot weddings or are in a large studio? Rry the RF 70-200mm F2.8. 

Personally if I can only have one lens I grab the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 because it gives me a relatively narrow depth of field with a long enough focal length for headshot shots and a lot of versatility for the type of work I do. As with anything there is the ‘right tool for the job’, and hopefully I’ve helped you decide just what tool is right for you!

March 14, 2024

About the Author

Lindsay Adler

Lindsay Adler

Fashion and beauty photographer Lindsay Adler has risen to the top of her industry as both a photographer and educator. Based in New York City, her fashion editorials have appeared in numerous publications including Marie Claire, Numero, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and more. As a photographic educator, she is one of the most sought-after speakers internationally. Lindsay enjoys teaching on the industry's largest platforms and most prestigious events. She has worked with some of the top brands in the photographic and related industries including Canon, Adobe and Profoto. Her client list features a range including NBC, Grey, Edelman, Pat McGrath Labs, Morphe, Saatchi & Saatchi and more.

A clean, bold, and graphic style has become the hallmark of her work. Lindsay is renowned for her creativity and collaborating with designers and stylists in order to create fresh looks.

Lindsay's energy and enthusiastic teaching style showcase her excitement to share her passion and knowledge with others, whether it is world-wide through prestigious platforms such as CreativeLive, KelbyOne, and the industry's largest conferences, or through her video tutorials or her five books.

She is honored to have been named a Canon Explorer of Light as well as a Profoto Legend of Light, and the Rangefinder Icon of the Year 2020! You can view her work at https://learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/.

Article Tags

]