This will be my first review of a Canon RF lens, and very apropos, really, because it was my first lens purchase that literally gave me goosebumps when reviewing the initial images SOOC.
First impression of the lens out of the box was the sheer size and heft of the thing. Weighing in at 2.63lb (1195g), it’s very heavy and dwarfs my R6 body. The lens wears the body rather than vice-versa.
The girth is awkward for my stubby hands in things like mounting and unmounting from the body, and the 82mm filter size means a good quality filter assortment will run into some money. Real estate in your kit bag will soon be at a premium as well, and I found some of my lesser gear now stays home to make room for this lens.
All that said, the images from this lens are MAGNIFICENT. The f1.2 maximum aperture when wide open utilizes the very lowest available light and delivers razor sharp images with bokeh to die for. There is a learning curve to this shallow of a depth of field, so I’m not going to say it’s a super easy lens to use in every situation, but it delivers phenomenal results when you figure out its sweet spot.
Being my first 85mm telephoto prime, I soon learned it wasn’t the best lens for every situation, but I can get a lot out of it in many scenarios by moving my feet and keeping a tripod handy. I also invested in a good neck/shoulder strap and hand clutch for stability and security. I have arthritis and neurological issues in my hands, neck and back and needed a little assistance with the weight after carrying it more than 20 minutes or so.
This beast of a lens is perfect for portraits and stock photography, and the super-shallow depth of field is excellent for subjects that aren’t moving in and out of your focal plane.
It IS very expensive, but all the best toys are. This one delivers and will help pay for its room and board if you let it.