Fast Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L portrait lens announced

Thursday 9 May 2019, 20:10 by Michelle Peeters | 4,096 views | 2 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Canon announced the new generation of its iconic 85mm f/1.2L lens yesterday, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM. A lens specifically for Canon's EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras. This fast lens will particularly excite portrait and wedding photographers.

I think this is a great lens for any portrait photographer shooting with a Canon EOS R. Unfortunately, at over 3,000 euros, it is very expensive. You can get the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II, which is also not cheap, for almost half the price, 1,699 euros.

You can also use that lens very well on the EOS R with an adapter. It is debatable whether the difference in quality between these two lenses is large enough to justify the extra cost.

Roadmap

Following the announcement of Canon's lens development roadmap in February, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM is the first of the six RF-mount lenses that Canon is introducing in 2019. The six announced RF lenses should offer photographers very good quality and versatility.

The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is recommended by award-winning Canon Europe Ambassador Félicia Sisco and will help users of the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM move towards a higher level of performance.

Very high resolution for every detail

The RF mount was designed for the EOS R System. The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM was developed based on feedback from end users and makes use of the capabilities of the new RF mount to improve both image quality and communication between the lens and the body of the full-frame mirrorless camera.

The short telephoto lens has the ideal focal length for portraits and a flattering perspective for faces.

The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is, after the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, the second lens in the 'Canon range to use Canon's BR optical technology, which effectively corrects axial chromatic aberration that cannot be fully corrected using a combination of traditional lenses.

This results in higher resolution and better sharpness. The aspherical and UD lens elements reduce lens aberrations and provide unprecedentedly high image quality in every shot, thanks to their good optical performance.

High speed and high quality

The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is one of Canon's fastest AF lenses for its full-frame mirrorless cameras. Combined with the short telephoto focal length and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the fast f/1.2 aperture provides a shallow depth of field with beautiful bokeh and background separation.

The extra-large aperture lets in 50 per cent more light than an f/1.4 lens, making shots possible even in difficult lighting conditions, down to -6EV (EOS R) and -5EV (EOS RP), allowing the atmosphere to be captured perfectly at any time.

By using the same ring-type USM motor as the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM, the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM provides fast and accurate focusing, allowing subjects to be tracked effectively as they move within the frame.

Combined with a new microprocessor using a new CPU and firmware, the lens has faster data transfer. This results in fast information processing and higher autofocus speed.

Easy to handle and durable

The Canon RF lenses are equipped with a lens control ring that lets users assign settings for Tv, Av, ISO and exposure themselves. This is useful for changing settings quickly.

The lens also has a focus ring for full-time manual operation without first having to switch to manual focus mode.

The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM has the same weather sealing as other L-series lenses. This protects the lens against adverse weather conditions during outdoor or location photography.

Key features

High-performance 85mm prime lens;

85mm focal length for flattering perspectives, ideal for portrait photography;

Very large f/1.2 aperture with 9 blades for good performance in low ambient light and uniform background blur;

BR optics (Blue Spectrum Refractive optics) reduce chromatic aberration and provide high image quality;

Aspherical and UD elements provide high resolution across the entire image area;

USM motor for smooth, silent operation;

Lens control ring, for direct control of Tv/Av/ISO settings;

ASC (Air Sphere Coating) prevents reflections and flare from affecting image quality.

Price and availability

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM will be available from the end of June at a recommended retail price of 3,050 euros.

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About the author

Michelle Peeters is fotografe en oprichter van DeuxBleus Fotografie. Michelle herkent het bijzondere in het gewone en het gewone in het bijzondere. Ze heeft zich nooit willen specialiseren en is daardoor van alle markten thuis.

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2 comments

Dwarsje wrote on Wednesday 15 May 2019 at 02:06 | reply
For the price, you can buy 3 iPhones with reasonably good lens options as well. In September, presumably new types of iPhones again, presumably also with better photographic options.
Translated from Dutch.

Rene wrote on Wednesday 15 May 2019 at 10:30 | reply
Yes and you can't even make calls with that lens........
Translated from Dutch.

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