📷 From DSLR to Mirrorless — How Upgrading to the Canon R6 & 85mm f/2 Changed My Photography
- Rachael Shine
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
✨ The Upgrade I Didn’t Know I Needed
For years, my Canon 5D Mark IV and 70–300mm f/4 were my ride-or-die. Reliable. Familiar. Solid.
But when I moved to the Canon R6 and started shooting primarily on the 85mm f/2, everything about how I photograph—and how I work—shifted in the best way.
Not just sharper images. Not just newer gear.
A completely different experience behind the camera. 🤍
🔍 Mirrorless: Seeing the Photo Before You Take It
The biggest change moving to the R6 mirrorless system was the electronic viewfinder.
With the DSLR, I had to:
• take a test shot
• check the back screen
• adjust exposure
• try again
With the R6, I see exposure, white balance, and depth in real time before I press the shutter.
That means:
✔ Faster adjustments
✔ Fewer missed moments
✔ More confidence in tricky light (hello backlight + receptions)
✔ A smoother, more intuitive shoot flow
It feels like the camera finally keeps up with how fast real moments happen.
🎯 Autofocus That Feels Like Magic
Eye-tracking autofocus on the R6 is honestly wild.
For weddings, families, and couples—where people move constantly—I’m no longer fighting to keep focus locked. The camera finds the eye and stays there.
I can:
✨ shoot wider apertures confidently
✨ move with my subjects instead of worrying about focus points
✨ spend more energy on composition and emotion
Less technical stress = more creative freedom.
🌙 Low Light Performance That Changed Receptions Forever
The R6 handles low light beautifully. Grain is cleaner, colors stay true, and I’m not afraid to push ISO when needed.
Reception halls, blue hour, indoor sessions—these used to require more compromise. Now, they feel like creative opportunities instead of technical challenges.
🤍 The 85mm f/2 — My Portrait Era
Switching from a 70–300mm f/4 to a prime 85mm f/2 changed the look of my work dramatically.
This lens creates:
• creamier background blur
• more subject separation
• a softer, more intimate portrait feel
• sharper, higher-quality results
It forces me to move my feet, be intentional with framing, and get closer to my subjects—which actually creates more connection during sessions.
And the macro capability? Tiny details, rings, textures, all captured beautifully without switching lenses.
⚡ Workflow Improvements I Didn’t Expect
Because I’m nailing exposure and focus in-camera more consistently:
✔ Less culling time
✔ Less correcting in Lightroom
✔ Faster gallery delivery
✔ More consistency across sessions
Upgrading gear didn’t just change my images—it changed my editing life.
🎨 A Noticeable Shift in My Style
This combo naturally pushed my work toward a more editorial, portrait-driven style:
• richer depth
• more intentional framing
• emotive, close storytelling
• images that feel polished but still real
It feels more aligned with how I see moments in my head.
✨ Final Thoughts
Upgrading from the 5D Mark IV to the R6 and moving to the 85mm f/2 didn’t make me a better photographer overnight—but it removed friction between what I envision and what I can capture.
And that’s everything.
If you’ve noticed a shift in my work lately—this is a big part of why. 🤍
📍 Utah-based, always traveling
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