My $12,000 RF Lens Lineup for Wedding Photography (2024)

In today's video I'm sharing the ultimate RF lens lineup for wedding photography! If you are a wedding photographer looking to create a similar look to mine, this is the lineup for you!

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0:00 Welcome
0:36 RF 28-70mm f/2.0L
01:51 RF 85mm f/1.2L
03:05 RF 100mm f/2.8L
04:33 RF 70-200 f/2.8L
05:55 RF Purchasing Order

[stevemadrid]

The R6 MKII is a steal. That thing is a workhorse of a camera! Two R6 MKII bodies and 3 or 4 lenses and you're set!

[jlawr]

I use the 135 1.8 RF and choose 1.6 crop if needed. I love it. For me, it replaces the 85 and the 70-200, and one less lens to carry. That's just me.

[downlink_x]

I use R5 + 28-70 2.0 and a second R5 + 85 1.2, what is an amazing combo to work with 🎉 For big indoor-scenes I also have the 16 2.8 and for ring macros the 35 1.8. My second shooter has a 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8. So we‘re prepared for EVERYTHING😁🙏

[JaredHoyman]

Great breakdown! I’m an architectural photographer but I always love watching your videos from a different genre. As someone who shot on the r6 and r6 II I will tell you the 45mp was f the r5 II along with the Retina pupil focus through the viewfinder would probably blow your mind for weddings. Rent one for fun ;). Your husband might not like it though because you will want to buy it.

[TheArtofKAS]

Love the breakdown and the journey! When I saw the 100 mm macro, I immediately knew what you were going to say about it. You never realize how close up yet so far away you need for details until your camera bumps into someone's face or their decorations 😭😂

BRAVO KJ!

[lorim]

100% agree on all your assessments. After shooting about 600 weddings with a similar lineup. Now that I’m more casual and only shoot short elopements with less gear, definitely miss the 70-200. It’s a ceremony necessity.

[BoReynolds]

WAIT A MINUTE! The 85 is your FAV? OVER the 28-70? I've watched so many vids on the 28-70. It blows my mind. Great info as always! Ha!

[danidah]

Excellent recommendations! I’m so glad I followed KJ’s recs when purchasing - I mainly use these exact for sports/action and events, but can do portraits too.

[Grizzlo.visuals]

4 years ago??? And I remember you being one of the later ppl to switch to mirrorless.
Time flies 😭

[joncothranphotography]

70-200 is my goto for most of my event work, 24-70 does my portraits and shot the wedding so awesome, while the 150-600 does my wildlife shots. I have a 50mm macro and a 24-105 macro for the tight stuff and they are all on my 5D iv. I'm only part time currently, but things seem to be picking up. Thanks for everything!

[velvetsound]

This is the exact kit I ended up with! It’s literally perfect and I haven’t wanted for anything else for photography. The only other lens I ever got (and kept) were the Helios 44M / Jena Zeiss 58mm f2’s….for the swirly bokeh thing.

[greenlightstudios]

I love that you are still using the R6i. I never saw the need to upgrade to r6ii. Also the r6i has killer 1080P video, it looks like it's properly downsampled, where as the 1080P on the r6ii looks line skipped and moire ish. I use r6i for real estate Photography. I've never felt that the R5 was a worthwhile purchase, and the r5ii impressed me for video but not for photography as it has less dynamic range for some reason. I do have to admit that I have bought a few Sonys for video as the R6ii although better at 4k video then r6i just did not delivery to Sony standards, Sony just knocked it out of the park with ZV--E1 and Zv-e10ii. But none of those camera's would really ever be used for wedding as they will leave you crying when they overheat at 4k60, and lack of dual card slots. I could go on :)

[onlysublime]

wow! we came to the same lenses though my conclusions are a little different. I totally agree that the 28-70 f2 is a beast, and it's a de facto lens for me. if I have a 1-camera event or situation, that is the lens I grab. However, if I have a 2-camera situation where I wear a harness, I have the 28-70 on my R5ii and the 85 1.2 on my R5. My 85 is the first I go for because I love the look so much. But in those very often scenarios where I don't have room or time to frame it properly, I switch to the 28-70. I also agree that my 100 2.8 macro is barely used. In fact (and a lot of people will criticize me for this), I often think I prefer the macro images from my 35 1.8. So I do regret buying this before the 70-200. And yes, the 70-200 2.8 is fantastic because it's so small and the images are great. But it's not a lens I use that much either.

[Kiayamarieee]

Thank you for the time and knowledge you put into each and every video!!

[marynaanandez]

Hey KJ! I’ve been working as a baby and family photographer for a while now, and I’m starting to transition into event photography—especially weddings. Right now, I’m using the 28-70mm f/2.8 STM, which has served me really well so far and fit my budget when I started out.

I had initially thought about upgrading to a 28-70mm f/2.0, but since the focal range is the same, I figured it might be smarter to stick with what I have for now and invest in something that complements it instead.

Do you have any lens recommendations that would be a good next step for someone moving into weddings? I’m looking for something that would expand my kit and give me more versatility.

[btecww]

I think you undersell the RF 100 Macro. I use it for portraits. I got great results in a small church and back yard wedding. It sometimes replaces my 70-200mm in some situation. I love the 85mm. It actually sells my portfolio. The images it produces are amazing. Again the 100mm is super sharp especially on my R5. I highly recommend

[juljanskurani]

Love the video! I use the R6 Mk II as well with the 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8 for wedding photography and video and I think those are the only essentials you actually need. You get good enough wide-angle shots with the 24-70 and great portraits and reach for the ceremony with the 70-200. The rest is luxury. However I totally share your obsession with the 85 F1.2. I used it once on a photoshoot and I've been dreaming about it ever since. The 70-200mm is really good, but the 85 is on another level.

[dennismwallentin]

Have faith 😊 Canon Rumours wrote some weeks ago that Canon is working on a genuine macro lens. Let us hope it will be materialized. The 28-70mm f2.0 is such an underrated lens among other groups of canon shooters.

[Pixelpeeps-]

Great video! Is the 28mm focal length on the 28-70mm wide enough to capture group photos of a venue interior and large family shots in tight spaces?

[cgperschon]

I don't do photography professionally and somehow I have these same lenses. I mainly use the 28-70 and 85mm. I should use the other two more, however, when I need them I need them. Watching this video makes me wonder if shooting a wedding would be fun (without the pressure of having to deliver results to a client).