Key specs
Sort: Prime lens
Focal size: 85 mm
Most aperture: f/1.2
Lens mount: Canon RF
Weight: 42.15 oz / 1195 g
Dimensions: 4.06 x 4.61 in / 103.2 x 117.3 mm
Filter thread: 82 mm
Launch date: Might 2019
85mm prime lenses are extremely regarded for his or her wonderful picture high quality and quick most apertures. This makes them a preferred alternative for various kinds of images due to the focal size they supply alongside quick most apertures. This makes it a horny lens for astrophotographers who require a brief telephoto lens for capturing the night time sky.
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is one thing really particular however this massive and heavy ultra-fast skilled L-Collection lens is massive, heavy and costly, with a value exceeding that of a handful of full-frame Canon mirrorless cameras. Simply to offer you some perspective on measurement and weight, the 85mm is 4.61-in / 117.3 mm lengthy, with an eyewatering weight of 42.15 oz / 1195 g.
Picture high quality is improbable with spectacular ranges of sharpness at f/1.2 and all through the aperture vary to the f/16 minimal. Plus, when capturing large open, you possibly can take pleasure in superbly sharp topics and easy bokeh with an especially slender band of focus to focus on the topic.
The picture high quality of the lens makes it preferrred to be used at most apertures however it’s the power to reap the benefits of that quick most f/1.2 aperture, which is of course going to be the primary motive photographers will need this lens.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: Design
- Easy design
- Giant and heavy
- Glorious construct high quality
The 85mm f/1.2 is massive and heavy because of that enormous most aperture; you are by no means going to get that right down to a compact and light-weight bundle, so that is the bodily and sensible value of such a lens.
If you see the scale of the lens on paper, it would not appear excessively massive at 4.06 x 4.61 in / 103.2 x 117.3 mm however even when utilizing it with the Canon EOS R1, which is a big skilled digital camera with a built-in vertical grip, you possibly can’t assist however discover its measurement.
The stability between this digital camera and the lens is not too unhealthy however connect the 85mm f/1.2 to a typical digital camera physique such because the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and the mix turns into considerably front-heavy.
It isn’t stunning when the lens weighs a whopping 42.15 oz / 1195 g, which is heavier than many full-frame cameras. This isn’t to say the 85mm f/1.2 can’t be used with smaller digital camera our bodies; it is simply one thing to concentrate on.
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Being an L-Collection lens with climate sealing, the construct high quality is superb and cannot be faulted. To not point out, the sheer bulk of the lens signifies that it is one thing particular as a result of it is in contrast to 85 mm lenses with narrower most apertures, resembling f/1.4.
The filter thread measurement is 82 mm, which is massive for a brief telephoto prime like this however is once more a results of the optical development required for such a quick lens.
The exterior design is pretty easy with simply an AF/MF swap, a spotlight limiter swap and a lens management ring on the entrance finish of the lens that may be programmed in-camera to regulate some digital camera settings. This can be a lens that’s substance over technological gimmicks.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: Performance
- No optical Picture Stabilization
- Quick and silent autofocus
- Minimal options
In true prime lens trend, it is a lens that provides no bells or whistles resembling Optical Picture Stabilization however that is no problem for astrophotography as a result of cameras must be tripod-mounted.
For those who do shoot handheld, some full-frame Canon R-Collection our bodies characteristic In-Physique Picture Stabilization, so there is usually a method round this. That is already a big and heavy lens, so including this performance to it might make it impractical.
Autofocus is quick, silent and correct, which is nice for each images and video. Plus, the handbook focusing ring is snug to make use of with a pleasing quantity of resistance that permits for exact handbook focus.
There’s additionally the beforehand talked about lens management ring that may be programmed to regulate sure digital camera settings. Nonetheless, that is simple to by chance activate at midnight quite than the main focus ring, so it is best left inactive for night time images.
The principle characteristic of this lens is the optical development that mixes an 85 mm focal size with an f/1.2 most aperture. The lens is made up of 13 parts in 9 teams with a nine-blade aperture. The minimal focusing distance is 33.5-in / 85 cm, which is just about normal for this focal size.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: Efficiency
- Incredible picture high quality
- Glorious sharpness at f/1.2
- Sharp all through the aperture vary
One of many major causes photographers will purchase this lens is to reap the benefits of that brilliant most aperture for shallow depth-of-field results and to collect mild. Plus, it is beautiful and sharp at this aperture. That is improbable information for astrophotographers as a result of it means you possibly can shoot at decrease ISO settings.
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Edge sharpness is at its lowest at f/1.2 however it’s not unhealthy in any respect, whereas the centre of the body is superbly sharp. This implies it is nonetheless appropriate for astrophotography and though the vignette is most noticeable at this setting, it is simply eliminated utilizing Lens Correction in Lightroom and Adobe Digicam Uncooked.
Edge sharpness improves massively whenever you cease right down to f/2 and naturally will increase additional as you cease right down to medium aperture settings. Vignetting is strongest at f/1.2 however reduces considerably at f/2 and Lightroom’s Lens Corrections take away vignetting completely with solely the tiniest quantity of distortion correction.
The lens’ minimal aperture of f/16 is sweet and sharp however marginally much less so than at f/8, which is to be anticipated. The one time you may must cease right down to f/16 is when you had been utilizing the lens for panorama images however, even then, f/11 is sharper and would supply a equally massive depth-of-field. What’s extra, f/8 and f/11 are extremely sharp and preferrred to be used with flash when capturing in a studio.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: Value
The Canon RF 85mm is a high-end skilled lens that can be utilized to seize a spread of photographic topics. And, as such, it comes with an expert price ticket to match, with an eye-watering value of $2699USD / £2999GBP.
In a nutshell, it is the quick f/1.2 aperture, premium construct high quality, the wonderful optical development and the spectacular picture high quality that you just’re paying for. When buying the lens, you additionally get a lens cap, rear lens cap, lens hood and a lens storage bag.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: Person critiques
Customers of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM are massively impressed by the sharpness of the lens alongside the pleasing bokeh it will probably produce.
One consumer studies that, ‘The flexibility to choose up mild additionally when doing night time images is unbelievable’, whereas one other mentioned it is, ‘A gorgeous lens so as to add to my R5 Mark II. A win for Canon’.
This all comes as little shock since this is without doubt one of the most spectacular lenses Canon produces and is a must have when you want this focal size.
How we examined the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM was examined with the Canon EOS R1 and the Canon EOS R5 Mark II at night time, handheld and tripod-mounted to seize the night time sky. Some check photographs had been taken in daylight to evaluate distortion and vignetting, the place these points could be extra seen, if and the place current, than when capturing at night time.
Must you purchase the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM?
Purchase it if
✅ You want an 85mm lens: That is arguably one of the best full-frame 85 mm lens obtainable.
✅ You want an f/1.2 aperture: Picture high quality at f/1.2 is improbable and the sunshine gathering capabilities, consequently, are spectacular.
Do not buy it if
❌ You are on a price range: This can be a lens that prices greater than some full-frame digital camera our bodies, so it is fairly an funding.
❌ You want a wide-angle prime: 85 mm will not be for everybody, so when you want a wider discipline of view, the 24mm f/1.4L or the 35mm f/1.4L could also be extra appropriate.
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a surprising lens able to producing wonderful picture high quality all through its whole aperture vary. f/1.2 is especially spectacular contemplating how large it’s and the sharpness it will probably produce.
It is a big and heavy lens, although, and it is front-heavy on smaller Canon our bodies, to not point out it is extremely costly. However when you can justify it, you may undoubtedly be impressed.
For astrophotography, it is one of the best brief telephoto lens cash can purchase in case your price range stretches far sufficient. You merely gained’t discover an 85 mm lens within the Canon RF mount that is as quick or can produce the identical excessive degree of picture high quality.
If this lens is not for you
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a quick and sharp ultra-wide zoom that is good for astrophotography, making it a flexible alternative for out of doors photographers.
For those who’d choose a wide-angle lens to seize the night time sky, the Canon RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM affords a quick most aperture and nice picture high quality for Canon EOS R cameras.
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is a improbable lens for astrophotography as a result of it affords a extremely versatile focal size that sits between 24mm and 85mm.
