Which budget prime lenses are best for Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras?

the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a solid starting point because the native mount handles eye-tracking better than most adapted lenses. it is compact and decent enough for low light, though the edges can be soft wide open. if you need a portrait lens, getting the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM with an adapter is a common workaround. it is an older design but the autofocus remains very fast on the r6. for weddings, having one native lens for the main shots is usually better for reliability. the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is another decent option that adds image stabilization, which helps when your hands get tired during long ceremonies. sticking with native glass for the wide stuff and adapted glass for longer focal lengths is a functional way to save money...

> Putting that on a Canon Mount Adapter... Spot on, tho adapters are another fail point. Ive seen them wiggle. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is way more reliable for weddings.

I used Sigma Art glass for my early wedding years.

• Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art EF
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art EF Bulkier than RF, but third-party usually beats budget native quality.

Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.

Saw this earlier and had to jump in because I was in this exact boat last year! Totally tapped out after getting my Canon EOS R6 but had a gig the following week. I ended up grabbing a used native wide-angle prime just to see if it lived up to the hype and man... the performance blew me away!

• Focus was basically instant compared to my old setup
• Face tracking actually stuck to moving subjects perfectly
• It weighs almost nothing so my wrist wasnt dying by the end of the night Honestly, the speed on these native mounts is just insane. I used to think my old lenses were fast until I felt how the new tech talks to the sensor. Night and day difference for me! It kinda changed how I shoot weddings entirely.

Unfortunately my Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM kept hunting at a wedding tho. Total mess.

• Poor low light AF
• Heavy adapter Just grab the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM instead.

@Reply #2 - good point! Tho I have to disagree on the adapted glass hate. In my experience, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is still a total workhorse for weddings. Putting that on a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is actually faster than the budget RF 50mm. Ive tried many setups and those older USM motors are snappy, plus the bokeh is way better for the price.

Man I totally feel your pain. I literally just did the exact same thing... blew my whole savings on the R6 body and now I am staring at my empty bank account wondering how I am gonna pull off a wedding next month. Honestly though, even with my old beat up glass, I have been so happy with how this sensor performs. The eye tracking is basically magic and makes everything work so well compared to my old setup. Since we are both in this broke but upgraded boat, I gotta ask... what kind of lighting are you actually dealing with at this wedding? Is it one of those super dark indoor receptions or more of a bright outdoor vibe? Also, are you looking to cover the whole day with just one prime or are you trying to build a two lens kit on a shoestring? Just trying to see if we are in the same headspace here lol.