Full-Frame Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Image Thread

MaraLee · Mar 15, 2021

When trying to decide which first 'big' RF lens to buy for my R6, I was considering the 85 1.2, but couldn't find a lot of sample images to compare with all the other available lenses. What I did find blew me away, so I decided to go ahead and buy one. I'm hoping others with the lens will post some photos here so anyone else trying to decide will have an easier time than I did making their choice - either for or against.

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SO8 · Aug 25, 2021

I've just got this lens to add to a mortgage extending (it really did) collection of RF's for my R5 ... 50 f1.2, 24-70 f2.8, 24-105 f4, 28-80f2, 70-200 f2.8 and 100-500 ....

I have taken a few shots to test them all wide open (well apart from the 100-500 as that is stunning and a different range). It was quite interesting ...

The 85 is simply awesome and the sharpest of all of them followed I would say by the 50. The 28-70 and 70-200 are equal at 70 ... with the 24-70 and 24-105 not too different which surprised me. I think one of these two will have to go as I have too much overlap.

The 28-70 produces the most pleasing images in terms of overall feel ... the 24-70 is, as a few reviews have said, sharp but lacking in character.

The 85 .... just omg brilliant ! The rendering of out of focus areas and the stunning sharpness set it apart from the others. It is incredible and though I was dubious getting it, given I have so many lenses ... it is the one I will be trying to use the most as it is clearly the best for IQ.

RedCobra · Aug 25, 2021

SO8 said:
I've just got this lens to add to a mortgage extending (it really did) collection of RF's for my R5 ... 50 f1.2, 24-70 f2.8, 24-105 f4, 28-80f2, 70-200 f2.8 and 100-500 ....

I have taken a few shots to test them all wide open (well apart from the 100-500 as that is stunning and a different range). It was quite interesting ...

The 85 is simply awesome and the sharpest of all of them followed I would say by the 50. The 28-70 and 70-200 are equal at 70 ... with the 24-70 and 24-105 not too different which surprised me. I think one of these two will have to go as I have too much overlap.

The 28-70 produces the most pleasing images in terms of overall feel ... the 24-70 is, as a few reviews have said, sharp but lacking in character.

The 85 .... just omg brilliant ! The rendering of out of focus areas and the stunning sharpness set it apart from the others. It is incredible and though I was dubious getting it, given I have so many lenses ... it is the one I will be trying to use the most as it is clearly the best for IQ.

Any chance you compared the EF version to the RF version. ps: I have the EF but deciding what lenses to convert to RF version.

MaraLee · Aug 25, 2021

SO8 said:
I've just got this lens to add to a mortgage extending (it really did) collection of RF's for my R5 ... 50 f1.2, 24-70 f2.8, 24-105 f4, 28-80f2, 70-200 f2.8 and 100-500 ....

I have taken a few shots to test them all wide open (well apart from the 100-500 as that is stunning and a different range). It was quite interesting ...

The 85 is simply awesome and the sharpest of all of them followed I would say by the 50. The 28-70 and 70-200 are equal at 70 ... with the 24-70 and 24-105 not too different which surprised me. I think one of these two will have to go as I have too much overlap.

The 28-70 produces the most pleasing images in terms of overall feel ... the 24-70 is, as a few reviews have said, sharp but lacking in character.

The 85 .... just omg brilliant ! The rendering of out of focus areas and the stunning sharpness set it apart from the others. It is incredible and though I was dubious getting it, given I have so many lenses ... it is the one I will be trying to use the most as it is clearly the best for IQ.

Sorry to hear about your mortgage. I joke about selling organs and body parts, but haven't had to yet. LOL

I still love this lens, too. It was my first 'good' RF lens, and since March, we've added the RF 28-70 f2L, RF 50 f1.2L, RF 70-200 f2L and RF 100-500 f4.5-7.1 L. I feel the 85 gives the most "Wow Factor" of them all if I'm going for dramatic bokeh. The 28-70 is so very versatile in the field for portraits and in conditions where I may not be in control of all the variables. The 70-200 spends the most time on my camera just so I'm ready to catch a shot at a moment's notice. The 100-500 and 50mm travel with my husband along with some other lenses.

SO8 · Aug 26, 2021

MaraLee said:
Sorry to hear about your mortgage. I joke about selling organs and body parts, but haven't had to yet. LOL

I still love this lens, too. It was my first 'good' RF lens, and since March, we've added the RF 28-70 f2L, RF 50 f1.2L, RF 70-200 f2L and RF 100-500 f4.5-7.1 L. I feel the 85 gives the most "Wow Factor" of them all if I'm going for dramatic bokeh. The 28-70 is so very versatile in the field for portraits and in conditions where I may not be in control of all the variables. The 70-200 spends the most time on my camera just so I'm ready to catch a shot at a moment's notice. The 100-500 and 50mm travel with my husband along with some other lenses.

You seem to have a kit list almost identical to me ! I can tell my wife is in not ‘just’ me

SO8 · Aug 26, 2021

RedCobra said:
Any chance you compared the EF version to the RF version. ps: I have the EF but deciding what lenses to convert to RF version.

Sorry, I have no EF lenses as they all got sold when we moved to Panasonic M43 … I have now moved back thus only RF in my kit bag.

Assuming you mean the 85mm f1.2 I did have the EF version (MkII) and loved it. I can only comment as follows :

That the autofocus speed seems about half as quick again, but that it’s still not like other lenses and is the slowest of the RF ones I have.

Wide open f1.2 is stunning and seems easier to hit than on the EF version (which is consistent with online reviews).

For me the IQ seems the same but I’ve only just got it and I know reviews seem to say the RF is better, especially with flare.

Build it is larger but IIRC weighs a bit more. To me it is an easier lens to handle than the 28-70 f2 but still pretty heavy. It doesn’t feel as easy to use as the RF 70-200 f2.8 for instance.

Sorry I can’t show you images to compare but I know the sharpest EF lens I had was my old 85 and I am not sure I would rush to change it to the RF version if I still had it as it is great. Both were the sharpest lenses I had.

RedCobra · Aug 27, 2021

SO8 said:
Sorry, I have no EF lenses as they all got sold when we moved to Panasonic M43 … I have now moved back thus only RF in my kit bag.

Assuming you mean the 85mm f1.2 I did have the EF version (MkII) and loved it. I can only comment as follows :

That the autofocus speed seems about half as quick again, but that it’s still not like other lenses and is the slowest of the RF ones I have.

Wide open f1.2 is stunning and seems easier to hit than on the EF version (which is consistent with online reviews).

For me the IQ seems the same but I’ve only just got it and I know reviews seem to say the RF is better, especially with flare.

Build it is larger but IIRC weighs a bit more. To me it is an easier lens to handle than the 28-70 f2 but still pretty heavy. It doesn’t feel as easy to use as the RF 70-200 f2.8 for instance.

Sorry I can’t show you images to compare but I know the sharpest EF lens I had was my old 85 and I am not sure I would rush to change it to the RF version if I still had it as it is great. Both were the sharpest lenses I had.

Thank you.

esheato · Feb 3, 2024

Sample images (R6II and RF 85 1.2 L).

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2023_June_TroutPondwKyle_298-Enhanced-NR-Edit_014_PROCESSED.jpg

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esheato · Mar 22, 2024

Adding a few more…

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Bear · Sep 24, 2024

Just need to find some better models. Although, no complaints with this model.

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TrentAJ · Tuesday at 8:44 PM

I finally rented the RF 85 F1.2L to see if I "need" to add this to the lens collection. It takes great photos and achieves some impressive results, but I am happy with my RF 28-70 F2. The 85mm focal length is just too long for my needs, but I did enjoy the 1.2 aperture for the week.

Hopefully you will enjoy these shots taken around Grayton Beach and Rosemary Beach, FL. It was a very sunny day and I did not have any ND filters in 82mm, so I ran an extremely fast shutter so that I could shoot it wide open.

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esheato · Tuesday at 11:43 PM

Wide open in the FL sun? Crazy shutter speeds!

You should have just messaged me, I want to try the 28-70 F2, and we could have traded for the week!

TrentAJ · Wednesday at 3:17 AM

esheato said:
Wide open in the FL sun? Crazy shutter speeds!

You should have just messaged me, I want to try the 28-70 F2, and we could have traded for the week!

I rented from LensRentals.Com. It was less than $100 for the week and the process was incredibly easy. I'm going to rent the 50mm 1.2 and see if that length works better for me. I want a lens with the 1.2 aperture capability, but I typically do portrait and boudoir photography in bedrooms and hotel rooms, so the 85 is too long.

esheato · Wednesday at 11:09 PM

TrentAJ said:
I rented from LensRentals.Com. It was less than $100 for the week and the process was incredibly easy. I'm going to rent the 50mm 1.2 and see if that length works better for me. I want a lens with the 1.2 aperture capability, but I typically do portrait and boudoir photography in bedrooms and hotel rooms, so the 85 is too long.

Oh yeah, I’ve utilized the lens rental places for the last few years doing “try before you buy”. It’s been really nice and easy. I rented 85 first and was blown away, but figured I had to give the 50 1.2 a go. While I liked the minimum focus distance on the 50, I wasn’t all that impressed with it and went the 85 route. For sure, you need some space for anything more than head and shoulders with the 85.

RobAmy · 2025-02-22T00:48:22+0000

A couple of my dog Kenzie with the RF 85 f1.2

On the bridge by A & R Photography, on Flickr

I got this by A & R Photography, on Flickr

My Cutie by A & R Photography, on Flickr

Laying in the clover by A & R Photography, on Flickr

Full-Frame Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Image Thread

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