Canon has officially announced the RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Canon claims that the RF 85mm F1.2L USM offers the highest resolution of any Canon lens launched to date.
The lens features a fast f/1.2 aperture and according to Canon, offers outstanding AF speeds, Following Canon’s lens development announcement in February, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM is the first of six RF mount lenses being introduced by Canon in 2019.
Key features
- RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
- Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element
- One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
- Air Sphere Coating
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
- Customizable Control Ring
The RF 85mm F1.2L USM is very compact for a short telephoto lens, although it still weighs in at 1.19kg, which makes it slightly heavier than the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens (1.02kg).
Canon claims the lens is the ideal focal length for portraits and a flattering perspective for faces. The RF 85mm F1.2L USM is only the second lens in Canon’s line-up, after the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, to use Canon’s unique BR optic technology, which is claimed to effectively correct axial chromatic aberration that is not completely correctable with a combination of traditional glass lenses. Aaspherical and UD lens elements are said to reduce lens aberrations enabling stunning optical performance.
The lens has 9 aperture blades.
The RF 85MM F1.2L USM is one of Canon’s fastest aperture autofocus lenses for its full-frame mirrorless range of cameras. When coupled with Dual Pixel CMOS AF users can create very shallow depth of field, pleasing bokeh and background separation, all while keeping their subject sharp.
The 85mm uses the same ring type USM motor as the RF 50mm F1.2L USM. The lens coupled with a new microprocessor, which uses a new high-performance CPU and firmware, the lens utilizes the EOS R system increasing data transfer, resulting in faster operation and AF, allowing the photographer to capture split-second moments.
Control Ring
Incorporated in Canon’s RF lenses is a control ring – where settings are programmable to TV, AV, ISO, and exposure setting. This lets users customize the lens. The 85mm is also equipped with a full-time manual focus ring.
Weather Proofing
The RF 85mm F1.2L USM features the same L-series weatherproofing, sealing the lens to protect against adverse weather conditions when shooting outdoors or on location.
Specifications
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Format Compatibility | Full Frame |
| Angle of View | 28° 30′ |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.79′ / 85 cm |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Size | 82mm |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 4.1 x 4.6″ / 104.14 x 116.84 mm |
| Weight | 2.6 lb / 1196.3 g |
Pricing & Availability
The lens will be available from Canon’s online store and official Canon retailers from June 2019 for $2,699 USD. Unfortunately, if you live in the UK or Europe it will cost £2,799.99/ €3,219.99. In Japan it will cost 235,000 JPY.
At $2,699 USD the RF 85mm F1.2L USM is considerably more expensive than the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens ($1,849 USD).
