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Lenses

First Impressions: Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (A Portrait Dream Lens)

Chris Gampat
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09/02/2019
4 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM first impressions product images Canon EOS RCanon RF 50mm f-1.2L USM2.81-50s100

Last Updated on 09/02/2019 by Mark Beckenbach

The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM helps the Canon EOS R deliver a bit of extra magic for portraiture.

When portrait photographers pick up the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM, they’ll start to realize the absolute magic it’s capable of when rendering a portrait subject. Canon’s lenses haven’t always been about scoring high on DXOMark tests: they’re instead designed for the character. Canon’s RF 50mm f1.2 L USM delivers an almost medium format look that’s only possible with an 80mm f2 on a 645 body and the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM isn’t anything different. Even when shooting wide open with a flash, the look you get is far unlike anything else. That’s not to say that everything else isn’t capable of delivering beautiful images, but a long focal length at f1.2 is something to really behold.

Editor’s Note: This first impressions post is not our review. We did this while on a press trip with Canon. This report is us presenting untainted and honest opinions on the product. 

Tech Specs

Specs are taken from the Adorama listing for $2,699:

  • High Image Quality and Bright f/1.2 Aperture L Lens for EOS R System Cameras
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR) Reduces Chromatic Aberration.
  • Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.79 ft./0.85m.
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes.
  • One Aspheric Element and One UD Lens.
  • 12 pin Communication System.
  • Dust- and Weather-resistant with Flourine Coating.
  • Air Sphere Coating (ASC) Minimizes Lens Flare and Ghosting.
  • Lens Format: Lens Format: Full-Frame
  • Fixed Mirrorless FL: Focal Length: 85mm
  • Maximum Aperture: Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
  • Special Features: Aspherical, Weather Resistant
  • Lens Type: Telephoto Lens

Ergonomics

Here we see the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM. This lens is a lot like Canon’s other L primes. It’s characterized by that big red ring Canon is known for. Additionally, there is a focus ring and a programmable ring near the front. The exterior has a pebbled matte texture that makes it easier to grip than previous lenses.

Turn to the side, and you’ll find autofocus switches. One switch is for controlling the type of focus, and the other is for the focusing distance. Considering how good Canon’s new focusing system is, I’m almost baffled as to why this was needed.

Build Quality

The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is said to be just as weather-sealed as the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM lens. We didn’t get to test this on the press trip we attended. Our 50mm lens has arguably survived hell and returned to tell the tale. We’re expecting the same for Canon’s 85mm. By all means, this is a big lens. It’s larger than Sony’s G Master lens and almost a full pound heavier. But it’s very balanced with Canon’s system and can be handheld for a long time without feeling fatigued. To be fair though, it’s hard to take a bad photo with the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM. As a result, you’ll be shooting far less and won’t ever experience said fatigue. For the trip’s duration, we shot less than 400 images in the one-day of shooting. Less than half of that was with the 85mm. Why? Because we got exactly what we wanted and were confident enough to not need to overshoot.

Ease of Use

Using the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is a bit different. With the EOS R, I tend to program the ISO control to the back dial (not the magic trackpad which I’ve started to not like). This leaves the front dial for shutter speed and the ring around the lens for aperture. If you’re used to shooting with Leica or Fujifilm cameras, then the aperture control will be second nature here. If you’re used to using specific Sony G Master lenses in the same way, then you’ll be all set. For folks more used to doing things the new school way without aperture control on the lenses, then you’ll have to do some sort of rework to make it function well for you. But that’s all possible.

Autofocus

We tested the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM with a Beta firmware update version on the Canon EOS R. The eye and face detection tracking positively floored us. Not only were the camera and the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM able to keep up with a moving model, but they kept the eyes in focus and tack sharp. When we pixel peeped the images in Capture One, later on, both Paul and I were really shocked.

Image Quality

Here are some sample images. Some of these were subjected to editing (some with a C1 Style, some with exposure adjustments), but most weren’t.

First Impressions

So far, we’re pretty thrilled to see that the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is looking like a great performer. But we’re going to need to do more tests on our own terms and in our own personal situations. We like the sharpness and the bokeh this lens can produce. To be honest, the 50mm is more than good enough for most portrait situations. You’ll go right to the 85mm if you genuinely hate 50mm focal lengths. I hate 50mm, but their 50mm f1.2 has me hooked. The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is also really lovely. But I’m not sure I need it over a good zoom or a 35mm lens. We’ll have more thoughts in our full review.

autofocus Bokeh build quality Canon EOS R Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM ergonomics image quality portraits review sharpness
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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