Just like a craftsman is only as good as his tools, a camera is only as good as its lenses. So if you’re looking to make a Wise Buy, you need to consider the optics as well as the body – but you also need to consider exactly what you want your setup to do.
There are plenty of specialist systems on the market, from the high-resolution Sony A7R series to the video-oriented Panasonic GH5. However, if you’re looking for a real Swiss Army knife that can shoot anything and everything, it doesn’t get much better than the Canon EOS R paired with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM.
Canon’s first ever full frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R, takes the powerful 30.3MP sensor from the pro body Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and squeezes it into a sleek, svelte, weather-sealed mirrorless chassis that’s smaller and lighter to carry and smoother to handle.
“ It doesn’t get much better than a Canon EOS R paired with the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM”
That same sensor enables the Canon EOS R to capture crisp, clean, 10-bit 4K video up to 30p. And, thanks to its fully articulating touchscreen, it’s ideal for videographers and vloggers – not to mention stills photographers who want to shoot at high or low angles, even in portrait orientation. Couple all that with truy silent burst shooting up to 8fps, with eye detect AF, this is truly a camera that can shoot anything, anywhere, any time.
So, why pair this mirrorless body with a DSLR lens? The answer is simple: the Canon EF 50m f/1.2L USM is a brilliant optic, still favored by many professionals for portraiture, weddings and reportage shooting. While the mirrorless RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is also a brilliant lens, it will also set you back a heftier chunk of change; the EF version, by contrast, is a much better buy that delivers the same silky smooth separation and buttery bokeh.
Making the whole setup an even better buy still is picking it up used from MPB – the world’s largest online platform for buying, selling, trading in and upgrading used photo and video kit. Not only does this offer a more ecologically responsible way to buy cameras and lenses, but it also gets you much more bang for your buck.
Canon EOS R
30.3MP full frame mirrorless marvel
MPB prices start at £1,189
This powerhouse camera packs a 30.3MP full frame image sensor with 4K 30p video, 8fps continuous shooting, snappy autofocus with eye detect AF and focusing all the way down to -6EV, and an enviable ISO100-40,000 (expandable to 102,400) for low light shooting.
It makes use of Canon’s cutting-edge RF mount, with lightning-fast communication for supreme performance on new and old optics alike. However, with the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, you also unlock hundreds of EF-mount DSLR lenses – which work with native performance, so you get all the benefits of great glass with a new lease of life thanks to mirrorless technology.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
A legendary ultra-fast prime lens
MPB prices start at £819
A legendary lens, this ultra-fast prime has long been the choice of pros and creative photographers alike. Its 50mm standard focal length resembles the field of view of the human eye, making it the go-to lens for lifelike all-purpose photography – covering everything from street shooting to documentary to portraiture.
However, this ain’t your daddy’s “nifty fifty”! This is a professional-calibre lens, as evidenced by its L-series classification and Canon’s coveted red ring. Not only is it weather sealed, but it features premium quality construction, optical formula and lens coatings.
Why buy from – and sell to – MPB?
MPB is the world’s largest online platform for buying, selling and trading used photography and videography equipment. It’s a much safer option than many used sellers or auction sites, as every product is individually inspected, photographed, and given a condition rating.
It offers a free six-month warranty on all products, packages are always insured with a signature required on delivery, and with its 5-star TrustPilot rating, you can be sure that you’re dealing with a reputable and reliable company – one that recirculates 300,000 items of kit ever year.
The same customer commitment applies to selling to MPB, too. Online valuation is both free and commitment-free, your used gear is picked up from your doorstep free of charge, and friendly support is offered every step of the way. It’s never been easier or more sustainable to sell and trade-in your old gear.
