Canon 85 1.4L IS Lens Review | Better than Canon 85 1.2L?

This is a Review of the Canon 85 1.4L IS Lens. The question i'm sure you're wondering is this lens a better choice then the Canon 85 1.2L?

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[sylvainpaquette]

So no comparison shots with the f1.2. Maybe it would be more useful that sniffing or breathing on the lens. I may be wrong.

[fluffyteddyber]

'I don't think they are gonna ever come out with another 1.2 lens' Jared Polin 2018. Canon 2019 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, 85 1.2 DS

[balamina]

Very much appreciated Jared! Helpful as always! Good luck man!

[thepanel]

Yes, a bit of 'vignetting' (subtle darkening around the edges and sides of the frame) can 'hold' your eye in the middle of the picture area, where your subject is most likely to be. Vignetting is most common at wide open apertures/f-stops (such as f/1.2, f/1.4, f/2) but it gradually recedes as you close down the aperture (f/5.6, f/8, etc). I don't mind a bit of vignetting, myself.

[redlumberjack]

As stated previously by others : 1) It's not a comparison if you don't actually compare it to the 1.2. The "on paper" thing is not enough. 2) You give some good reasons for picking the 1.4 (AF, IS, video, etc...) but in the end, it depends on your use of the lens. Your argument is one sided. Why not talk about that particular look that the Canon's 1.2 (50mm and 85) have, a look you can't replicate, as a lot of photographers will tell you ? 3) You give your reasons for picking the 1.4 (lighter, less expensive, more versatile), but the difference in weight is negligeable, and when you're ready to pay 1600 dollars for a lens, you're ready to pay the extra 250 if you want the other one. So you're left with versatility, which is good, but that's about it (you could use a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS if you're after versatility). Overall, I'm sorry but this video hasn't been helping me at all. Hopefully, there are other ones who give a more balanced advice, and who provide pictures for comparison. Just my 2 cents though ;)

[ejphoto]

I've had my 85mm 1.2 for 10 years, and have shot thousands of images with it. I'm not going to divorce it!

[bobonikita]

There's a big difference between 1.2 and 1.4 in bokeh. Kai W uploaded video where he compared bokeh of these two lenses wide open. In terms of AF, resolution and IS as a bonus (but not really needed for photos) - 1.4 is better of course. But 1.2 is 1.2 :)

[DmitryBrodsky]

There is a difference. But also having 50 1.2 and 85 1.2 gives Canon 'the bragging rights" over Nikon and/or Sony. Because Nikon at one point stated that it is physically impossible to do a 50 1.2 with AF due to limitation of F mount. So Canon will always have the 1.2s because it gives Canon bragging rights that they are the only ones from the big DSLR makers that make full frame 1.2 (Not talking about Leica or mirrorless companies that also make 1.2)

[SLOPPY_PHOTOGRAPHER]

Thanks Jared.. you've just sold me on my next lens!! Great videos as always

[omegasatu]

I 'upgraded' my 85 f1.2 to this f1.4 . Very happy with the results!

[heeroyuyz]

Been waiting a while for you to do a video for this lense!!!🙏🏾👍🏾

[boatmanbermuda]

awesome review. especially the very final. You cured me from 1.2 into direction of 1.4.... thank you

[cooloox]

Nice review and the lens looks super sharp. Just one tiny point, f/1.0 to f/1.4 is a full stop, f/1.2 is only half a stop faster than f/1.4.

Your handheld attempt at 1/10th sec exposure without IS was pretty good.

[rumporridge]

Actually a very good insight on this lens. Thanks Jared keep it coming.

[blairwilson]

Was seriously considering this. Then the failed wind tunnel test. Will keep my $$$. Great review.

[Bilalizaddin]

The magic colors with 85mm f1.2L II could not be achieved by any lens I tried most manufactures high end 85mm lens but non of them gave me the color rendition of the canon, this 1.4 is not replacement it is sharper than 1.2 but the colors and contrast looks different

[Zavalas_Production]

I’m between both lenses in 2025 for my canon r6…..should I save for the rf 1.2?

[eddie_santos]

Thanks for the review. I saw your video during the week and I got the lens yesterday. Super sharp on my canon 5dmk3

[heartshapedfilms]

I understand where this is coming from though I don't agree, these are two different lenses for different jobs.1.4 for video and faster moving subjects and for overall sharpness. the 1.2 gives a more dreamlike quality to it and if you have the time for the focus its an awesome lens.

[daviday]

How about the 85 1.2 paired with an EOS R? I feel like the advanced focusing qualities of the R would compensate well for the 1.2's lack of IS (though yes no IBIS like the R5/R6/R3/etc)...Saw a 1.2 secondhand nearby me the other day for €720 and I'm feeling mighty tempted to not eat this week haha.