Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L Mark ii Review

Buy the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L Mark ii here;

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The canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II - We test another Canon legend, does it live up to the hype?

Before we get into the review, I'd like to offer a quick disclaimer about my reviews/opinions. I review lenses based on "real world" and "in the field" experiences. The technical aspects and technical specifications of this lens - and all the others I've reviewed - are well documented. My reviews are based on real world situations where just the right lighting and focus charts aren't present, just me, the 85L, and an off camera flash or natural light. The majority of these shots were taken with the 5D Mark II, the 7D and the 1D mark ii. Enjoy.

CONCLUSION: If you're a wedding or portrait photographer who charges top dollar for his or her services, then there is simply no substitute for this lens. At the end of the day of you're charging a few hundred per shoot, then this lens is a bit of a no-brainer. There is some competition in this focal length, but each has its own share of short comings. Notably the Sigma 85mm f/1.4, which is highly regarded - if you get a good one, I hear that phraseology with Sigma often. I own 3 Sigma lenses and well, lets just say 2 out of 3 ain't bad. The Canpn 85mm f/1.8 is a great option, it focusses faster, but it suffers from a LOT of purple fringing in high contrast (read harsh lighting) conditions. Most of the other 3rd party options (Zeiss and Samyang) are manual focus lenses - fine, if you're doing portraits.

Over all

BUILD QUALITY: Apart from not being weather sealed, its a home run 9.5/10

FOCUS SPEED AND ACCURACY: Too slow for anything other than portraits, it is however, pretty darn accurate. 7.5/10

OPTICAL QUALITY: For its intended purpose of portraits, its a 10/10, for general field use, more like a 7/10

QUALITY OF RESULTS: Award winning, so long as the photos are of relatively still subjects. 10/10

VALUE: Depending on what you're using it for, again, I sound like a broken record, if you take portraits, this is your lens, its a 10/10, it's practically worthless for just about anything else, the moment will be gone before you can focus. 5/10.

OVERALL: FOR PORTRAITURE: 47/50 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
FOR EVERYDAY USE: 39/50 RECOMMENDED

[Stefanful]

I purchased a used Canon 85mm 1.2 here for about 1000 Euro. And this in a top shape, no dust, no scratches. I had to do an Asf adjustment on my Canon 1DX II and now it delivers. It really does, what beautiful and stunning lens. No regret. I would never buy it new as there are so many good copies on the 2nd hand market. So for this price of 1000 Euro I would not hesitate at all to get it. A dream lens simply!!!

[DarrenMiles]

Thanks for the kind words!!

If you need an 85mm focal length, and you need it for more than portraits, then I would suggest the Sigma or the Canon 85mm f/1.8. They both focus 4 - 6 times faster...

[spider]

I just received it brand new from B&H two days ago. thanks for responding. I can't wait to shoot with it this weekend.

[DarrenMiles]

You're welcome! Working on the 70-200 Mark ii review as we speak. Should be up in a few days...

[DarrenMiles]

Thank you for the kind words! If there were one lens I simply couldn't live without in the entire Canon lineup it'd be the 70-200 mark ii. The other two lenses are both really, really, good. But with the high ISO capability of today's cameras, you can get away with f/2.8 in low light most of the time. I'd get them in this order;

1. 70-200 f/2.8 Mark ii
2. 135 f/2
3. 85 L f/1.2 mark ii

They're ALL GREAT, but easily the most useful us the 70-200 mark ii.

[bbracks]

This video is awesome but that car crash sound scared the shit outta me. 

[V]

Great review Darren, simple and straight to the point. Thanks for sharing.

[tonycool]

85L is designed for professional level camera body like 1D/Ds series. It is a very camera body-dependent lens in my opinion. Very fair focus speed with great focus accuracy.

[geekathy]

Thanks for the review, I was not sure which to purchase for my type of photography. Like the way you share the important aspects in this review and look forward to watching more.

[Sweeris]

Great review, I was looking to get this lens but every review says the lens focuses too slowly to be anything more than portait use. I am kinda leaning towards the sigma 85 1.4 which costs half of the 1.2 or the canon 1.8 which is 1 fifth of the price

[dianaelizabeth_]

Fantastic review, thank you so much for making all of your points. I think I'm going to splurge, and be patient with the focus - portraits are my thing.

[CassandraBarthelemy]

Wow, that was the BEST review of this lens I've ever seen. Right to the point and honest. You didn't say "this is the best and everyone should get it"! I appreciate that you explained who it would be good for and for what. Excellent review! Subscribing and not buying this lens, lol, maybe the 1.8. Thanks!

[KM-nogq]

Hi Darren, I've just taken another plunge after purchasing the Sigma 35mm Art 1.4 and also gone for the 85 f/1.2 mkii. I noticed your using a 6D. I have both the 6D and 5Dmk3. Im still tinkering around with the focus settings such AI servo and trying different focus points with the 5Dmk3. as one cannot recompose with this lens. Yes I've had a few misses but if a shot can be nailed it truly is an awesome lens. Its my new weapon for weddings. Think I need a little more time using it before I feel confident taking portaits. Thanks for the review ;-)

[MegaLeonidovich]

im shooting wt Canon 70D and 85mm f1.8 and its still slower then my kit lems 18-55mm and 18-135mm. but blur is awesome and I love it. I just wish the f1.2 would be cheaper I would buy it now.

[TheXtremeTech]

Thank you for such an honest review. I'm myself torn between Canon's 1.2L II and Sigma's 85mm 1.4 lens, and I'm more likely to get the Sigma one for my 5D3 because of faster AF and very close to Canon's sharpness results at various f-stops. 

[TopTrendMarketers]

Awesome review. Thank you for being so honest!

[jeanlucbouazdia]

I agree with you about the 85mm f/1.2 L Mark II

[flyguy]

Canon shooters, if you’re wanting the best portrait lenses or a lens that will make people “look good” then this is one of them. Pretty much the 85mm 1.2 ii (this videos lens), the 70-200mm 2.8 IS ii, and the 135mm F2 are the ones to go to. Another less expensive option would be the 100mm 2.8 IS. These are all relatively expensive lenses so it may be wise to rent one or two of them for a few days and see how you like them. P.s. prepare to have many “my precious” Lord of the Rings moments once holding any of these as they are quite frankly works of art.

[Triplehlix]

7 years later, is there a lens that actually compares to this for Canon? Curious. Thanks!

[grandpa]

Probably worth noting is that this lens af performance (speed and accuracy) is greatly improved with an 1dx I even shoot it with sports at 1.2 with a decent amount of keepers (and wow do thos images pop at 1.2) though interesting is that I mount it on my 5d iii and the af was noticeably slower/less accurate resulting in a lot less keepers then my its the 1dx's batteries perhaps? Anyway for those of you who has the 1dx should know that this lens is usable for sports :-)