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- Alistair
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I have the RP and it's a great camera. Ok so not as fancy as the R/R6/R5, but plenty for me and it's smaller and lighter to carry.It is difficult... Ultimately, I only shoot digital when other people want the photos. Be that work stuff, and documentary stuff for friends (events & suchlike). My X-T2 has done 1 wedding, a couple of portrait sessions, and 1 garden party in the last year and so it hardly gets significant use. Being able to use the same lenses I already have for my film Canons (EOS-1v, EOS30 and the brilliant little EOS300v) as well as adapt some of the manual lenses would mean not having to buy any more glass. The only "hole" would be for portraits, as my film portraits are on medium format.
I did look at the R6 and without looking at any prices, it definitely seems to be the camera I'd buy without a budget concern. Wex are currently offering me the best p/x deal for my stuff and they don't have any 2nd hand ones kicking about. Ultimately though, it would be an expensive camera to just sit around and not really use that much. I'd also really like to pick up a nice portrait lens at the same time to cover the gap (85, 135 or a 70-200).
The budget is £2k for a camera with both EF-RF and LeicaM-RF which shaves £200 off that. At £1200 second hand that leaves me a little extra for the lens.
That said....
If the EOS R isn't going to be a significant upgrade over the X-T2 (and by upgrade, I really mean AF responsiveness & accuracy) I may hold off, or even consider waving goodbye to my Canon FD mount gear to fund it. Is the step from R to R6 worth the extra £1k (or thereabouts) in terms of AF and low light (my two top requirements)?
Having used EF lenses on an adaptor for the best part of the year, yes they work fine, but ultimately you'll want the RF version because it's hassle moving the adapter from lens to lens, it adds another mount/join thus is weaker and another point for weather to get in (particularly if you are using older EF glass that maybe doesn't have such good weather sealing).
My go to lens is the EF24-105L, but I'm going to replace that with the RF version because it means not needing the adapter and the package being smaller to carry/pack and the IQ is going to be better than a 10yr old lens.
In terms of portrait lenses, you can't go wrong with the RF 50 1.8, it's a great little lens and at £200 is a bargain.
The RF 85mm f2 is also very good and can be picked up for about £500. Or you could just pick up an EF 85mm f1.8 for £200 which is a great lens.
I'd hold off on a 135mm for the moment. Canon are due to announce the new RF 135mm lens, when that happens, I think lots of people will be selling their EF 135mm f2L.
Which lens to buy also depends on whether you want to keep fully EF so they work with your EOS film cameras.
One other thing, I've had issues trying to use manual M42 and OM lenses on my RP when using an EF adapter ring with a chip to mount the M42/OM lens to the EF-RF adapter. In theory it should work just as it did on an EF DSLR but it doesn't, the camera refuses to take the shot even when set to release shutter without a lens. I think the chip in the adapter ring confuses it and it just doesn't like it. I need to try a simple M42-RF adapter next but I've not been that bothered about it.
That said one big advantage with the R series is the focus peaking when in manual focus, it definitely makes life easier.
Don't forget you can also use the Canon Test Drive service to test out the R series cameras and RF lenses for free before you buy. I've had RF 15-35mm over Christmas which has been fun.