> I dont know if it makes sense for a beginner like me. Oh man, just grab the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM used with an adapter—it's cheap, sharp, and iconic.

Rarely post but saw this and had to chime in. Regarding what #3 said about the 85mm, you should definitely clarify — are you shooting indoors or outside? If you're tight on cash, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is your best friend. It's cheap, sharp, and perfect for learning. TL;DR: Grab the 50mm first. It’s way more versatile for a beginner on a budget than jumping straight to an 85mm prime.

I agree with the focus on space. I've been through three of these, and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is more versatile for beginners than a tight 85mm.

Honestly, I was just stressing over this same thing earlier today. If you want a cheaper route that's super fun to learn on, look into the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. It’s wild for environmental portraits if you want to show more scenery, or maybe try adapting a vintage lens? My biggest tip: just focus on lighting first. A cheap lens with great natural light always beats an expensive one in a dark room.

Re: "Im no pro but I just went through this." I had a moment to think about this while grabbing coffee. Last summer, I was trying to figure out if I should dump my savings into a fancy prime lens for my R6. I spent weeks obsessing over focal lengths before realizing that lens technique matters more than the gear itself. I am not 100% sure if an 85mm is the absolute best move for a total beginner, but I think learning to manage your depth of field is the most important skill for portraiture. Here is how I started learning the ropes without breaking the bank: 1. Use the simulator at camerasim dot com. It is a free web tool that helps you visualize how aperture and focal length change your shot without wasting money on glass you do not need yet.

• Look at the resources on Digital Photography School. They have specific guides on portrait lighting that helped me more than any lens purchase ever did.
• IIRC, learning to shoot in manual mode while using a standard zoom taught me more about composition than jumping straight into a prime lens would have. Do not feel pressured to buy expensive gear immediately. Focus on understanding how your shutter speed and aperture interact first. Once you hit the limitations of your current setup, then you will know exactly what focal length you actually prefer.

> I was looking at that 85mm prime lens but my budget is kinda tight and I dont know if it makes sense for a beginner like me. tbh you dont need to drop a ton of cash right away. lowkey the biggest mistake new shooters make is thinking the gear does the heavy lifting. honestly if you just buy the most expensive glass immediately you might get discouraged when the photos dont look like IG right off the bat. definitely avoid blowing your whole budget on one piece of glass before you even know what focal length you prefer. also watch out for focusing on the background blur too much because sometimes you just end up with a blurry mess instead of a cool portrait. just take your time learning how to frame a shot properly first... its way more important than the lens itself ngl.

Seconded!

Building on the earlier suggestion, I remember when I first got my camera, I spent weeks paralyzed by specs. Last summer, I took my setup to a local park to practice on some friends, but I realized I had no idea what focal length suited my style. Before you commit, are you planning to shoot mostly tight headshots or full-body portraits? Knowing how much space you have to work with will make choosing the right gear much easier.

Interested in this too

Would love to know this too

Im no pro but I just went through this. Honestly dont stress it, just start simple.

• Rent before buying
• Watch tutorials
• Just shoot My current setup feels perfect for me...

Jumping in here because I'm literally staring at my R6 right now feeling the exact same panic. I've been obsessing over forums for like three months trying to decide if I should just give up and stick to my phone, and honestly, every single thread just circles back to the same couple of lenses that everyone claims are 'the one.'

• It's like a cult of gear reviewers who probably haven't even used the glass they're pushing.
• I'm still just as lost as you are regarding what's actually worth the investment versus what's just marketing hype.
• I've got a growing list of 'must-haves' that I can't afford, and I'm honestly just as frustrated as you are. It feels like no matter how many pages I read, I'm stuck in this loop of indecision. I'm just as lost as you, honestly.

To add to the point above: when I was starting out with my R6 last year, I went down a massive rabbit hole trying to save a buck and almost damaged my sensor buying sketchy used glass online... just make sure you double-check the mount and seller ratings if you go the adapter route. Here is how my budget breakdown went:

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Super cheap and light, but the AF motor sounds like a tiny blender and missed focus on me way too often outdoors.
• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: Incredible sharpness, though honestly it is so heavy your wrist will hurt after an hour. I'd recommend getting it professionally checked out at a local shop if youre buying used just in case there is fungus inside... dont rush into anything.