01/05/2026 11:25 pm
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I just got this Canon EOS R5 because my friend said it was the best one but honestly I have no idea how to even use it yet. It came with a lens that zooms in and out but someone told me I need a "prime" lens if I want the background to look all blurry and professional. I think prime means it doesnt zoom? Correct me if I'm wrong lol.
Anyway I'm mostly gonna be taking photos of my kids and our new puppy around the house and maybe some street stuff since we just moved to Chicago and there's so much to see. I have about $1500 left to spend on a lens for now but the options are so confusing with all these numbers like 35mm or 50mm or 85mm. I don't really get what the difference is or which one I should buy first and it's making my head spin a little bit.
Here is what I am looking for:
- something easy to carry around when we go for walks
- makes the background really blurry for portraits
- good for low light because my house is kinda dark
- works well with the R5 autofocus because I cant focus manually to save my life
Sorry if these are really basic questions I'm just super overwhelmed with all the gear talk online and dont want to waste money on the wrong thing... what would you buy first?
5 Answers
12
01/05/2026 11:25 pm
Honestly, the R5 is a massive jump but youll love it once things click. You are totally right about prime lenses... they dont zoom but usually let in way more light which gives you that blurry professional look. Since youre in Chicago now, you definitely want something that isnt a huge pain to lug around on walks. I have been super satisfied with the more affordable RF primes because they are light and the autofocus works well for my kids running around. With your $1500 budget, you could actually get two or three lenses and still have money left over. Here is what I would buy first:
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM This is my go-to for indoor stuff and street walks. It has stabilization which is great when the house is dark.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Its tiny and very budget-friendly. Honestly every R5 owner should have one. Perfect for those blurry background shots of the puppy.
- Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM If you want the best blurry look for portraits of your kids, this is a very safe choice. Tbh, starting with the 35mm and 50mm is the smartest move. They have worked well for me for a long time and you wont feel like you wasted a ton of cash on those massive professional lenses that cost $2,000 each. Plus, the R5 autofocus is like magic... itll find your kids eyes even if they are moving. Just keep it simple for now and enjoy the new city.
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02/05/2026 12:00 am
@Reply #3 - good point! Unfortunately I had issues with some non-L glass not being as good as expected for tracking on that 45MP sensor. I tried the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM but found the autofocus a bit jittery for fast puppies. For that blurry background, the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is technically solid, even if it isnt as snappy as I hoped...
4
01/05/2026 11:50 pm
Late to the party but I am absolutely thrilled for you! Getting an R5 is such an amazing milestone! Quick question tho: do you plan on printing these photos large? To stay safe and reliable under $1500, I recommend:
- Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM for wide indoor shots.
- Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM for blurry portraits. These numbers represent focal length; smaller means wider! Both are fantastic and reliable.
3
01/05/2026 11:50 pm
Im very satisfied with my kit since ditching heavy gear. Smaller glass works well.
- Avoid bulky lenses for city walks
- Razor thin focus makes tracking fast kids harder than you think
2
02/05/2026 12:10 am
Commenting to find later
