Mastering Portrait Photography with the Canon EOS R5: Manual Mode, RF Lenses, and ISO Explained

The Canon EOS R5 has quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the world of portrait photography. Its exceptional image quality, advanced autofocus system, and robust build make it an ideal choice for photographers looking to elevate their work. When combined with the right techniques and understanding, particularly in manual mode and lens selection, the R5 can help photographers unlock new levels of creativity and detail in their portraits. Additionally, a solid grasp of ISO and its impacts is crucial for mastering photography. This post will delve into these aspects, providing a comprehensive guide for portrait photographers.

The Power of Manual Mode

Shooting in manual mode on the Canon EOS R5 gives photographers complete control over their camera settings, allowing for precise adjustments to shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. This control is invaluable in portrait photography, where the manipulation of light and depth of field can make or break an image.

You can even set and adjust your settings through the RF lenses now, which for me, as a unit stills photographer was great. I set the ring on my RF lenses to control my ISO so whilst shooting silently in a corner I can adjust with the brush of my finger and my iso is changing. It’s a fantastic addition.

Shutter Speed

In portrait photography, shutter speed affects how motion is captured. A faster shutter speed is essential for freezing motion, perfect for capturing candid moments or when working with restless subjects like children. For the R5, shutter speeds up to 1/8000th of a second enable photographers to capture incredibly fast action without blur.

Aperture

Aperture controls the depth of field, crucial for creating portraits with a soft, blurred background that makes the subject stand out. The R5’s full-frame sensor, combined with a wide aperture lens (f/1.2 to f/2.8), allows for a shallow depth of field, beautifully separating the subject from the background.

ISO

ISO measures the camera's sensitivity to light. A lower ISO (100-400) is ideal for outdoor portraits in bright conditions to maintain image quality. The R5 excels in low light conditions, with ISO capabilities that extend up to 102,400!!!, enabling photographers to capture stunning portraits in various lighting conditions without excessive noise.

Mirrorless

For me personally I have to shoot silently on film sets but this would also apply to wedding photographers who would prefer to be quiet throughout the ceremony. The ability to use the electronic shutter rather than the mechanical one is a game changer.

Choosing RF Lenses Over EF Lenses

The introduction of Canon’s RF mount has brought a new generation of lenses optimised for mirrorless cameras like the R5. While EF lenses can still be used with an adapter, RF lenses offer several advantages:

Optical Quality

RF lenses are designed to take advantage of the shorter flange distance of mirrorless cameras, resulting in better optical performance, sharper images, and less distortion. This is particularly noticeable in portraits, where edge-to-edge sharpness and detail are paramount.

Wider Apertures

Many RF lenses offer wider maximum apertures compared to their EF counterparts. This means more light can reach the sensor, allowing for faster shutter speeds in low light and even shallower depth of field for that dreamy bokeh effect in portraits.

My favourite lens is my 85mm f/1.2 - it’s an absolute beauty and I’m keen to try the new 24-105 f/2.8

Enhanced IS and Faster Autofocus

RF lenses are equipped with more advanced image stabilisation (IS) and faster autofocus systems, perfectly complementing the R5’s capabilities. This leads to sharper images and more reliable focusing in dynamic or challenging lighting conditions, ensuring that the subject is always in perfect focus.

Custom setting ring

I mentioned it above but the RF lenses have an extra ring which you can assign a setting too. For me I chose ISO but you can use it for your aperture, shutter speed, autofocus selection and more. It has been so handy for me personally.

Understanding ISO in Depth

ISO plays a pivotal role in photography, acting as a double-edged sword. While increasing ISO allows you to shoot in lower light conditions without sacrificing shutter speed or aperture, it also introduces noise, which can degrade image quality.

ISO Sweet Spot

The key is finding the ISO "sweet spot" for your conditions; this is the lowest ISO that allows you to use your desired aperture and shutter speed. The R5's advanced sensor offers exceptional performance at higher ISOs, but it's still advisable to keep ISO as low as possible.

ISO and Exposure Triangle

ISO, along with shutter speed and aperture, forms the exposure triangle. A balanced approach to adjusting these settings is essential for achieving the desired exposure and depth of field without compromising image quality.

Noise Reduction Techniques

For higher ISO settings, the R5 provides in-camera noise reduction options. Additionally, post-processing software can be used to further reduce noise, ensuring your portraits maintain their quality and detail even in challenging lighting. I’ve recently tried the de-noiser in Photoshop and was deeply impressed. I don’t like Lightroom as you all know but apparently it has the same capabilities.