Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L Hands-On Field Test

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L lens is big and expensive. Is it the ultimate portrait lens, or just a big hunk of glass. Watch Dave Paul & Evelyn Drake's hands-on field test to find out.

Videography by Brendan Schmidt

Shot on the Panasonic GH5

Instagram:
Evelyn Drake: @tcstvev
Dave Paul: @tcstvdave

#Canon #85mm #portrait

[berdv]

Really liked that you shot portraits for people on the street :) its a nice touch

[beny]

Great review! I’ve been watching as many as I can about this lens and this has been the first that I haven’t sighed all the any through. No hyperbole, no filler and interesting perspectives and opinions. Thanks for your work on this.

[joserodrigues]

the quality of image is incredible!!!!

[tylerdoestech]

I shoot the original 85mm f/1.2 L USM from 1989. I do enjoy it in my kit, especially for indoor work where working distance can be limited. However, the chromatic aberration is absurd in the EF versions of this lens. I shoot the original because, according to DXO Mark's testing, the second version actually has more pronounced chromatic aberration than the first version. I have never scientifically tested this, but I hope to find out definitively one day. If I need something faster and with better absolute image quality, I reach for my 135mm f/2 L USM lens, which focuses much faster and can get very close to the look that the 85 will give at f/1.2 at the expense of needing a longer working distance for similar framing. I am glad Canon was quick to bring this legendary formula to their RF line, but the cost seems outlandish. I understand that there are some design tweaks to these lenses, but jumping into the RF line is extremely punitive to us existing Canon users. I currently shoot a 1DX and a collection of lenses, but I cannot see myself migrating to the RF system any time soon thanks to the lens costs and being required to use adapters until I exchange my EF lenses for RF counterparts.

[Powerhauz]

Wow actually seeing what you were talking about the "eyelash or eyeball" effect was awesome. Nicely done, guys.

[calvinchann]

With the Canon lens announcements, this year is going to be expensive

[AdamKuzniar]

I feel like the difference between f/1.2 and f/1.4 is not worth the money.

[seanimal]

85mm is my favorite portrait length and this lens is awesome

[djz]

Trying to decide between this and the 50. I was already in the market for a 50 but Canon only used the CA coating on the 85.

[AllgoodthingsTv]

This video was very helpful, esp. that great advice about not always going for the F 1.2 due to the super shallow DOF. I used the RF 28-70 f/2 recently and even that was pretty shallow DOF. Who made the softbox for the flash?

[gbye]

Loved the dog portraits. You guys are getting better and better all the time.

[AndreasLudwigPhD]

I have the EF version of the 85mm 1.2 and gave up on it. Too slow to focus and tricky in 1.2 to hit the subject properly. I got the 1.4 that is IS instead and LOVE it. Will look into the 1.2 only if/when Canon releases a professional body with IBIS. The focal length and picture quality in 85mm portraits is gigantic. Love it.

[roastpigeon]

Hi Dave & Evelyn. Thank you, thank you for another great review!

[mechpade]

I'm pretty sure we're only waiting for the pro bodies from Canon with all these cool lenses available.

[DmitryBrodsky]

I like this portable umbrella, what size is it? Do you guys have a link?

[kullumphoto]

Man I own this lens and it's the best 85 I ever owned!
I do not hesitate shooting this lens wide open! The speed of this lens put the EF version to shame!

[regreg]

I’m not knocking the quality of this lens but sometimes I think these big aperture beasts are more for bragging rights than any practical purpose. Would I like to own one?
Absolutely!

[Neopulse]

It beats the hell out of the previous EF mount f/1.2L II version in speed. Chances are resolution is better.

[LeonWei]

Sharpness, colour, contrast and boke are mind-blowing

[MrPedrocourelas]

Small cameras with giant lens.
What is heavier, 5D4+EF85L or R+RF85L?