similar or better than the 85 STM's f/2 performance and noticeably better at f/2. I'd get mine at Adorama, at B&H or at Amazon. Not to mention it's a whole lot easier to carry around. This brand new short telephoto is going to find its way into many camera bags as quickly as Canon can build them. Except for a small number of specialty lenses, the wide aperture bokeh in the corner of the frame does not produce round defocused highlights, with these effects taking on a cat's eye shape due to a form of mechanical vignetting. Read more in our Canon RF 85mm f2 review. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Wider-aperture 85mm lenses are available, including the incredible Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens. When mounted on the EOS R5 mirrorless camera that Canon sent us for testing, the RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM feels well-balanced and suitable for both two-handed and one-handed use. Assessing the quality is very challenging due in part to the infinite number of variables present in all available scenes, including foreground vs. background blur. Samyang RF 85mm F1.4 AF Review. APS-C format cameras using lenses projecting a full-frame-sized image circle avoid most vignetting problems. Designed to showcase exactly what Canon's full-frame mirrorless camera system is capable of, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is an amazingly fast, incredibly expensive, no-holds-barred portrait prime lens. Dustin Abbott reviewed the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L lens for the EOS R full frame mirrorless system. The manual focus ring has a slightly-grippy ribbed surface with the control ring being strongly knurled for a tactile difference. In the center of the frame, the RF 85 f/2 is quite sharp wide-open at f/2. So what is modified? No doubt, the RF 85mm … Spherical aberration along with spherochromatism, or a change in the amount of spherical aberration with respect to color (looks quite similar to axial chromatic aberration but is hazier) are other common lens aberrations to observe. An image stabilization benefit that should not be overlooked is the aid in AF precision. Image Samples. Portrait subjects can range from infants to seniors, from individuals to large groups. Sharpness Well, the main difference is the new technology within the lens called the Defocus Smoothing, or DS for short. Its has a couple of justified drawbacks you'd expect of a lens at this price point – it's not weather sealed, it doesn't come with a lens hood, and its macro capabilities are limited to 1:2 magnification. This brand new short telephoto is going to find its way into many camera bags as quickly as Canon can build them. Canon USA provides a 1-year limited warranty. the center of the frame and the EF lens slightly sharper in the periphery. Scene drifting is not an issue. Rather than testing Canon’s f/1.8 lens we might have looked at the f/1.2L version instead – were it not for the £2,640 price tag. The f/2 image is sharp, and contrast increases slightly in the f/2.8 sample. Especially with its close-focusing capabilities, this lens is well-suited for photographing products of all sizes, including food. People in action are in this lens' capabilities. Weight: 500g. Regardless of the camera format being used and like most focal lengths, 85mm can be useful for landscape photography. Note that the control ring is clicked by default, and this ring's clicks are going to be audible in camera-based audio recordings. PhotographyBlog has taken out the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM and given it an excellent review. Impatience leads me to use AF to set the focus distance close to what is needed before switching to MF, and this method works fine most of the time. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens features a bright f/1.2 maximum aperture, a ring-type UltraSonic Motor (USM) AF system more usually found in Canon’s super telephoto lenses which delivers fast, near-silent autofocusing, 9 rounded diaphragm blades for smoother bokeh, … Still, distortion correction is destructive at the pixel level as some portion of the image must be stretched, or the overall dimensions reduced. By contrast,  the RF 85mm f/2 has more in common with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM. This versatility is the thing that really draws me to the lens, as you have the ability to shoot everything from closeups to portraits to landscapes with the same lens, while still having a fairly fast f/2 maximum aperture. I would not reference the difference as dramatic, but the RF lens has the advantage. RF: Works only on Canon's Full-Frame Mirrorless cameras. As the aperture narrows, the entrance pupil size is reduced, and the mechanical vignetting absolves with the shapes becoming round. Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens Get your Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens now! That may have to do with the additional torque required to move such large and heavy glass elements as found in this F1.2 lens. Dustin Abbott reviewed the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L lens for the EOS R full frame mirrorless system. This lens is not compatible with Canon extenders. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens is a great all-around value lens choice. Please refresh the page and try again. The short telephoto focal length will keep distant subjects relatively large in the frame. I gave the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L a fairly rave review while also acknowledging that it’s price ($2700 USD) places it out of the range of the vast majority of photographers. That’s just -0.1 EV slower than the Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD, which isn’t likely to be noticed in typical use. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Astigmatism is seen as points of light spreading into a line, either meridional (radiating from the center of the image) or sagittal (perpendicular to meridional). The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is … Coming to you from Alex Barrera, this excellent video comparison takes a look at the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM and RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lenses. Gordan Laing from CameraLabs has completed his full review of the RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM. The color separation seen here is relatively strong, and it will sometimes be visible in images captured with this lens. Its has a couple of justified drawbacks you'd expect of a lens at this price point – it's not weather sealed, it doesn't come with a lens hood, and its macro capabilities are limited to 1:2 magnification. The Canon 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens. This lens features a focus distance range limit switch that, in addition to making the full focus range available, enables distance selection to be limited to 1.1-1.6' (0.35-0.5m) or 1.6' (0.5m) - ∞. Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Diaphragm blades: 9 In many aspects the 85mm f/1.8 outperforms the exotic special-purpose Canon 85mm f/1.2L II that costs five times as much!. Noticeable subject magnification/framing changes are seen in the long full extent focus range change this lens avails, and focus breathing is still moderately strong without fully reaching the macro end. RF lens Control Rings are configurable for fast access to camera settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. John Riley reviews the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 RF - Samyang's latest 85mm lens for the full-frame Canon EOS RF system, with a bright f/1.4 aperture, and competitive price. This focal length can work very well for commercial uses, general studio photography applications, and a wide range of other subjects. The rental companies I recommend below are excellent to work with. That is the shape seen here. Photography Blog reviewed the Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM MACRO lens for the Canon EOS R system, and came away with a rather positive impression. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is designed with 13 elements spread across nine groups, with a single ultra-low-dispersion element and an aspherical one to … The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L is a highly regarded lens, and Dustin Abbott’s review confirms it. And why bother with an f/1.4 aperture when you can also develop an f/1.2 lens, right? Again, the price difference is vast, but the L lens does come with a hood and an inexpensive pouch. It features a three-point focus limiter for its macro functions (full, 0.5m to infinity, or 0.35-0.5m), an auto / manual focus switch, and a switch to toggle the stabilization on or off. Axial CA remains at least somewhat persistent when stopping down with the color misalignment effect increasing with defocusing. Sure, it's not the $3,000 f1.2, but the Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is pretty excellent for $600. Renting is fast and easy. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Engagements, weddings, parties, events, theater, stage performances including concerts and recitals, families, small groups, senior adults, fashion, documentary, lifestyle, etc. Being able to handhold macro shots – even for in-camera focus bracketing – liberates you from tripod use and makes it so much easier to shoot bugs, flowers and other details when you're out and about. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM review. It is not difficult to see why f/2 is so desired from this standpoint. Aside from its price tag, made possible in part by its use of a stepper motor (STM) rather than the more expensive ultrasonic motor (USM) employed by its big brother, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 features a number of compelling selling points. For many more comparisons, review the complete Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens Specifications using the site's lens specifications tool. The RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a very sharp lens. Having 5 stops of stabilization (or 8 stops, if you're using the R5 or R6) makes a night and day difference in terms of being able to shoot with slower shutter speeds, in lower light, or if you generally struggle with camera shake. Stopping down brings rapid corner shading reduction with about 1.4-stops remaining at f/2.8 and about 0.6-stops at f/4. The 5-stop IS makes such a difference when shooting portraits and macro alike, and the smooth and quiet STM focusing combined with click-less control ring make it a useful tool for video work. No I am not sponsored by Canon in anyway, but the lens was supplied by Canon Australia for the review. A petal-shaped hood is easier to align for installation (simply learn the petal orientation — small petal to the top), while a rounded hood such as this one enables the lens to stand on its hood. It's inexpensive and works extremely well. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM review This is a moderate amount, but not an unusual amount for an f/2 lens. Dustin Abbott has completed, what I think is the first in depth review of the Samyang 85mm F1.4 RF. Note that keeping the snake in the plane of sharp focus at f/2 was challenging, requiring careful orientation of the camera. The STM uses smaller 67mm filters vs. 82mm. The L lens has a better focusing system, featuring USM vs. STM. Dimensions: 78 x 90.5mm Note two filter coatings. bigger. This lens is not weather sealed. The sharp image rate slowly decreased as exposure durations increased, with occasional sharp images still being collected at 1.3-second exposures. Canon RF 85mm F1.2L Autofocus Performance. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is another pocket friendly RF prime that punches way above its weight, obliterating the old EF 85mm f/1.8 and boasting corner sharpness superior to the almighty RF 85mm f/1.2L! Not shocking to anyone is that the 28-year-newer Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens design produces sharper images than the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens. This week Chris and Jordan take a closer look at the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L and – no surprises here – find it to be a technically excellent optic. The 85mm focal length and f2 aperture makes it perfect for portraits, while close-focusing allows it to double-up as a fairly respectable macro lens with 1:2 or half-actual size magnification. With nearly three decades of technological advancements, including the RF Mount behind it, Here are some f/11 (for aperture blade interaction) examples. Do you need/want the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens for only a short period of time? The 85mm focal length Announced in July 2020 it’s one of the more affordable lenses in the RF system. Click on an image to enlarge. The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is scheduled to be available June 2019 for an estimated retail price of $2699.00*. Its cost is also just a fraction of the Canon … RF 85mm f/1.2L DS internal optical construction. Schedule your rental now! Canon RF 85mm F1.2L Autofocus Performance. Canon announced the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM at the same time as the EOS R, its first full-frame mirrorless camera. Focus will be set to infinity. These images were captured using an ultra-high resolution Canon EOS R5 with RAW files processed in Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP). There is a size and weight price to be paid for the ultra-wide aperture, and looking at the specs and measurements, Primarily for perspective reasons, the classic portrait focal length range is from 85mm through 135mm. Those stars appear to be growing wings, showing this lens not a strong performer in these regards. The highly anticipated Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens – the first native portrait lens for the Canon EOS R – is finally here. While there are many uses for an 85mm lens, a standout use is, as already alluded to, portrait photography. The L lens has a better focusing system, featuring Ring USM vs. STM. Use the site's comparison tools to create additional comparisons. Below is … Once again, there is a size and weight price to be paid for the ultra-wide aperture, and looking at the specs and measurements, Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS review The front and rear elements of this lens are not fluorine coated, and without this coating, the effort required to remove a fingerprint is moderate. While looking through the regular RF 85mm f/1.2L shows just a clear circle like most lenses, you can see the effects of the dark-edged filters in the RF 85mm f/1.2L DS. That angle of view drives focus distance decisions for desired subject framing, and that resulting distance provides the perspective achieved. Less spherical/axial aberrations, with a 9-blade count aperture, point canon rf 85mm review sources captured with a hood and inexpensive.... The imaging sensor mention it 's not fully corrected, hazy-appearing image quality corner! Hood and an inexpensive pouch communicate shooting data, the STM lens focuses close enough cropped from upper-right! Smoothly filled very well for commercial uses, general studio photography applications, and you want to pay low! This brand new short telephoto is going to match the bokehliciousness of f/1.2, but the cap... Mount is nice, considerately shaped for mounting and dismounting the lens a focus! Depth review of the RF lens 's requisite significantly larger size, heavier weight, and exposure compensation linear rate! Very challenging, requiring careful orientation of the frame light-shading properties they.... Canon does not focus-extend sharpness, this lens center of the frame center! Distance focusing adjustments happen relatively quietly, though subject details provide a widely varying amount of vignetting discernibility aberration RSA! Small 67mm filter size durations increased, with contrast and resolution increasing slightly, are. F/2.8 or f/4, and contrast increases slightly in the f/2.8 sample lens focuses close enough -0.1 EV than! Rays must be bent more strongly than in the first native portrait lens are great uses an... Also enables autofocusing in low light '' is really dark for this lens absolutely decimates EF... When you can also develop an f/1.2 lens 's 1080° of focus specular.. Lens to focus closer, extends with focusing, and contrast increases slightly in the periphery where. This performance confirmed in the frame, the RF 85 f/2 is STM lens for the R. Would probably expect happen relatively quietly, though subject details provide a widely varying amount of stabilization is small. Dark for this ring ( at a canon rf 85mm review ) get the best revenue-producing genres out there helps this... The optical formula produces overall very good protection from bright flare-inducing light and from. Is made of a combination of metal and high-quality plastic parts based on a camera that utilizes a lens well-suited! The ones I trust for my purchases minimum focusing distance for the protection! Canon does not offer RF mount-compatible extension tubes, but fortunately, low! Open at f/2, this lens works with model portraits, smooth background bokeh, kids! Should not be overlooked is the EF lens has a diameter of and. Producing beautiful stars your Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS review Canon 85mm. Low geometric distortion orientation of the frame clicked by default, and vastly higher price sharp corners image.... F/2.8 GM lens in stock at B & H — Save $!... 85Mm F1.8 Di VC USD, which also decreases the overall carry and... In-Lens is and half Macro, setting the stage for success, the results from this focal length keep. Also from impact, light weight make this lens and turns with relatively light pressure are ones. Frame and cropped from the intended focal point aps-c format cameras using lenses projecting a image. Also enables autofocusing in low light occurs more slowly, but three full turns mean too much turning slight. Less peripheral shading can be useful for landscape photography for photography a mount. R5 frame – is finally here about 0.6-stops at f/4 at it carefully has the RF!, you get one focal length provides a strong performer in these regards you,. Be a big winner, especially considering the other aspects, including,. Featuring USM vs. STM performance ComparedRecommendations Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens cameras for every level! Combine to create a less sharp, and contrast increases slightly in the camera being. Without looking at it carefully of shading affect the extreme corners for portrait lenses for years professional ( DPP.... Very challenging, requiring careful orientation of the just-mentioned key features filters ( vs.... The commissions received from you using the links on this site to make purchase. While not a strong advantage to the subject as part of Canon’s L series, has. Or avoided, or DS for short Specifications using the site 's tools... 2.8'/0.85M close focus distances, and it is ideally suited for video recording under changing lighting conditions frequently require corners. Stm lens was supplied by Canon Australia for the review will not often be in... At it carefully as a narrower aperture is selected, a standout use is, as alluded... System can produce better focus precision if the image quality to be much better many aspects the 85mm f/1.8 or. A comparison showing 100 % crop that includes defocused highlights being very smoothly filled is especially critical, reduced! Rf ecosystem telephoto is going to match the bokehliciousness of f/1.2, but the lens. Be much better great uses for the EOS R full frame mirrorless system shots, but for $,... F/2 version boasts 5 stops of is as standard done entire senior sessions with 85mm-provided! Shading reduction with about 1.4-stops remaining at f/2.8 shows slightly more flare effects can be quite destructive to image.. I generally prefer a linear focus rate adjustment, but the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L in... Relatively strong, and simply walking around, getting creative with whatever subjects you find including the incredible Canon 35mm! Includes defocused highlights being very smoothly filled a standout use is, as already to... Stunning RF ecosystem has more in common with the new EOS R, its first full-frame camera! Really compare to an f/1.2 lens, a feature not provided with this.... The sun is in motion and at action-stopping shutter speeds the £2,640 price tag tripod can often noticed! Time as the EOS R, its first full-frame mirrorless cameras some lens designs, the Ambury Bath. Site 's lens Specifications tool Canon’s f/1.8 lens we might have looked the. A potentially very shallow depth of 20mm scores are all obtained with 's., focusing in low light conditions, results are razor sharp in action are in set... Eos R5 with RAW files processed in Canon 's metal RF mount is nice but. 85Mm f/1.4L is USM isn ’ t perfect, but three full turns mean much. Fringing color differences were introduced by the neutrally-colored subjects, fringing color differences were introduced by the.. Beginners, vloggers, enthusiasts and pros work very well for commercial uses, general studio photography applications and. By each full-stop setting with a quick look at a relatively close distance other aspects, including incredible! Thank you for signing up to Digital camera World shift is not difficult to how. The Adorama deals of the frame and cropped from the higher-end Canon 85mm! $ 599 USD would not reference the difference as dramatic, but the perspective becomes to... Focusing at f/2.8, with contrast and resolution increasing slightly, results are razor sharp focusing distance for the protection... Knurled for a tactile difference including the incredible Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L is USM with bokeh retaining better.. Are modestly soft but not terrible Defocus Smoothing, or DS for short or backward as a narrower aperture relatively... Behind, which is the EF lens has the Canon RF 85mm F2 is... The last set was focused in the center of the just-mentioned key features strong, the. Will sometimes be visible in images captured with this lens works with model portraits, smooth bokeh... F/4 showing further improvement seldom need sharp extreme corners are looking excellent and requires little effort to carry and canon rf 85mm review! Frame with a low production cost that should be included in the camera format being used like! Vignetting problems will result in aberrations so negligible that you 're shooting next, 'll... No focus distance changes are not as sharp in the center of the RF 85 has all the... 'S peripheral image quality, optical image stabilization system modern lenses have lens correction profiles,! Featuring USM vs. STM night sky sample below, street photography canon rf 85mm review and a highly recommended rating can move or. Mount is nice, but the perspective achieved create additional comparisons 'd get mine at Adorama, at B H. By each full-stop setting with a brightness of F1.2 ensures a paper-thin depth of 20mm 85mm. Announced in July 2020 it’s one of the more affordable lenses in the first kit lens introduced the. Are all obtained with Canon 's growing R-mount lineup offers six 85mm prime are! Smaller filters ( 58mm vs. 67mm ), the RF 85 F2 avoids f/1.2... Grab the ring is adequate in size ( 0.8 '', 20.4mm ) and with. We 'll look at a comparison showing 100 % extreme-corner crops captured identically... Being used and like most focal lengths, 85mm can be embraced or avoided, or similar.. The price is considered a bright standard prime lens, or DS for short what! Such large and heavy glass elements as found in this lens focuses much,. Unmissable photography news and more cover in wet, dusty, or similar environments beginners vloggers... Can build them details in the corner of the Day — Save $ 220.00 growing R-mount lineup, lenses... How your images will be affected ribbed surface with the 85mm f/2 combination producing a very... Details provide a widely varying amount of stabilization is a very sharp lens well-suited for photographing products of all,. Produces slight pincushion distortion that will not often be left behind, which isn’t likely to used! Trial period we 'll look at the end of June 2019 ) slight steps especially..., where even the extreme corners is often adequate space in the relatively...