If you’re a Canon fan, or have a love and appreciation for legendary glass, you know about the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L and EF 85mm f/1.2L lenses. They have been widely understood for years as some of the best prime and portrait lenses on the market.
And for those who have switched to the new RF mount and EOS R full frame mirrorless lineup have been anxiously waiting for Canon to release a lens, promised back in February of this year. A lens that could allow for the same legendary performance, known from the past EF 85mm lenses, but built for the new, advanced RF mount, which Canon has made clear, is the mount of the future.
Now, it is finally here. Meet the new RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens, designed by Canon to be a “world-class” prime lens for the serious and professional portrait shooter, raising the bar for optical and low-light performance.
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM is a “large aperture mid-telephoto prime lens,” that offers unbelievable results and an unparalleled level of performance that will make any serious or professional portrait photographer happy. With an extremely large maximum aperture of f/1.2, this lens will produce portraits with a shallow depth of field, tact sharpness, and beautiful background blur that Canon users are accustomed to from the previous EF 85mm lenses.
However, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM offers more than just, “next level” image quality and optical performance. It was built with control and communication in mind.
The same popular Control Ring, first seen on the first RF lenses and the EOS R mirrorless system, is built into this lens, allowing for direct, manual adjustments for Exposure Compensation, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. To add for more tactile understanding when shifting between the manual focus ring and Control Ring, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM has a slight change in the lens diameter, which allows for more fluid operation of the lens.
Realizing that communication is critical for optimal performance and speed, Canon built the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM to have a 12-pin communication system, versus the 8 on previous EOS DSLRs, which means faster autofocusing, quicker Control Ring response time, and a more vivid and accurate display on the electronic viewfinder, found on the EOS R-series cameras.
As stated, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM has an extremely wide aperture, which allows for more light to be let in, producing amazing results. However, sometimes when you play with additional light, that light can play back. To combat chromatic aberrations, Canon built the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM with Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, and applied Air Sphere Coating to the lens surface, to effectively reduce lens flare, even when shooting directly at a light source.
The 85mm focal length has been a popular choice for many portrait, wedding, and low-light shooters, but a true portrait lens is normally not built for macro photography, and has its limitations in focusing distance. However, this is not the case for this new lens. Built with a minimum focusing distance of 2.79 feet, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens allows photographers and videographers to capture super-tight headshots and details, making this lens an extremely versatile option for events and photoshoots.
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM’s autofocusing is incredibly fast and accurate, with a Canon Ultrasonic Motor (USM) built in the lens, and the combination of Face and Eye Detect AF, found in the EOS R and RP cameras. For any photographer or videographer focusing on event or portrait photography, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM gives you peace of mind knowing you have a fast, accurate lens, that performs mightily in the field.
Finally, this lens isn’t just built for unrivaled optical performance. It’s also built to last. Canon shooters will be happy to see a high level of build quality and durability they are used to seeing from recent Canon L-series lenses. In addition, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM has protective gaskets and sealing around all ring positions and lens mount, which protects against dirt, dust, and moisture, as well as a fluorine coating applied to the front and rear surfaces of the lens, which provides protection and allows for easy cleaning. Photographers and videographers can bring this lens into the field knowing it will perform beautifully, and be protected against the elements.
Canon has delivered a lens that will be a favorite among professional portrait, wedding, and event photographers for years to come. Offering next-level optical performance, maximum control and communication between camera and creative, and unparalleled versatility, reliability, and durability, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens looks to pave the way for the next generation of Canon RF lenses. It sets the tone for a series, marked by the highest standard of optical performance.
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is available for preorder for now at Adorama.
To see the lens in action, check out the video from AdoramaTV below:
Feature image by AdoramaTV
