Canon RF 85mm 1.2 L USM

As far as sheer optical capabilities are concerned, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 USM L is nothing short of outstanding. It is one of the best - if not the best - lenses that we tested to date. The resolution is outlandish, especially considering its extreme max aperture. Most lenses out there would consider themselves to be fortunate if they could deliver a peak performance similar to what the RF 85mm f/1.2 delivers at f/1.2 already. Lateral CAs are negligible and image distortions are basically non-existent. There is some vignetting in RAW images but that's just normal for such a lens and can be corrected in-camera or in post-processing. In terms of bokeh, there are two schools of thinking. If it's about the capability of producing as much object separation and background/foreground blur as possible, it doesn't get any better. When looking a bit more into the details, there are a few imperfections though. The lens doesn't love hard contrasts in the (rear) focus transition zone. To be fair here - you probably won't notice this is most scenes. Out-of-focus highlights are nicely rendered. However, if you ask yours truly whether to buy this lens or the RF 85mm f/1.2 USM L DS, he'd go for the latter one. Nothing beats a creamy bokeh more but a creamier one - but that's also a matter of taste, of course. Bokeh fringing is very well controlled albeit not totally absent at f/1.2. The build quality of the lens is excellent but we expected no less in this price class. Canon used quality materials and it is, of course, dust- and moisture-resistant. The focus ring is very smooth and the added control-ring is a plus if you want to control e.g. the aperture on the lens as well. That all being said - this is also a brick of a lens. It's not overly long but "fat". And it's heavy - 1.2kg heavy - which can limit the fun factor a bit if you have to carry it all day besides all your other gear. The AF is pretty fast for such a lens although it's not "instant. Some may also miss an image stabilizer - after all Canon was able to fit one into the EF 85mm f/1.4 USM L IS. However, the centering quality tends to be better on non-IS lenses and you can now get in-camera IS anyway. Highly recommended ... of course!

The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a very fast short telephoto prime lens for the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera system. 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, 85cm close-focus distance, a configurable control ring, and a weather-resistant construction.

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L lens approaches optical perfection. It's tack sharp wide open, and central sharpness peaks by F2. Canon's 'BR optics' element ensures little to no color fringing in out-of-focus areas and also increases sharpness. Autofocus isn't silent nor is it speedy, but for portrait and wedding photographers, you couldn't ask for a better 85mm optic.

Highly Recommended – The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM gives superb handling and outstanding results, albeit at a high price.