Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II
Introduction:
This is a very special lens and does what it does spectacularly. This is very much a portrait / event lens and excels when image quality is the 100% goal. It doesn't do things quickly but does it right. This is not an objective you Umm and Ahh about needing, if you need it you know you do and there aren't any alternatives other than the more expensive Canon EF or RF 85mm f/1.4 L.
At nearly 1Kg (just over 2lb's), you definitely know it's there It leaves an impression the first time you hold it; but at the same time a Rolls Royce isn't a lightweight car and it is a similar sensation. The reason for this is of course it has enough glass to achieve f/1.2 with extraordinary sharpness. The build quality is very high, the materials not compromised so it feels every bit as good as it is.
It isn't all advantages and big impressions however, whenever you are pushing boundaries in the way this lens does, some characteristics may be compromised. Below is a hands-on explanation of what's good and what is less so, what we use it for and what we don't. Flying the Canon "L" series flag means the special performances you're getting are the reasons you have it, these far outweigh the disadvantages; that doesn't mean it will always be your go to lens.
Though discontinued in 2023, it represents a performance bargain, with it's replacement costing £3,000 / $3,500. This lens is 50Mp capable so meets the needs of any sensor produced to date.
If you like lots of specifications, click this link - Canon 85mm f/1.2L II Full Specifications.
Where can it deliver unique results:
There are only two principle reasons you would use an f/1.2 lens. The most obvious attribute and primary reason is to achieve a very shallow depth of field, leaving the subject clearly separated from a smooth, creamy, uncluttered background. This separation and background quality ensures this objective maintains a legendary status as a world's best portrait lens.
The image here of two friends together, is taken in the only available shade with a very busy bus stop in the near background. A combination of background over exposure and the shallow depth of field has ensured the subjects are emphasised without distractions. All natural light with an advertising board out of shot reflecting a little light from the right to soften and lighten shadows.
The 85mm focal length is in most eyes the most flattering focal length for portraits.
The second reason is low light capability, often you have to shoot in very low ambient light situations. The best way to deal with this and still get good quality information to the sensor is with a large aperture, f/1.2 is a good working maximum, as depth of field will almost dissapear if you go even wider.
The image here was taken just before the dancers went on stage, the show was already under way and so lighting was a real minimum. Artificial flash or light cannot be used, so a very wide aperture is the only way. The colour accuracy and contrast is true and the focal plane is the front eye and lips. The shallow depth of field is evident with the second hand though though only 15cm / 6" further back completely out; this adds to the depth of the image which would otherwise be only 2 dimensional.
The lens flare was quickly noticed and instinctively put in the right place, this is a bonus thanks to a distant stage light out of shot.
Another less obvious benefit is it's stability. Somewhat unique is having such a high mass so close to the camera body, It absorbs viration and has sufficient inertia to handhold comfortably at 1/60 sec, I am even getting a surprising number of useable at 1/30sec, this is crazy for an 85mm!
Lens Optical Quality:
As a high end prime lens the optical quality is astounding, very few lenses are sharper and at f/1.2 the only competition is really only Canon's EF 50mm f/1.2 and Canon's RF 85mm f/1.2. Stopped down to f/2.8 there are zero issues anywhere in the frame, though of course for this sort of lens' applications, normally the subject is filling the centre. None the less corner to corner sharpness is never an issue.
Barrel distortion is also negligeable, when correction is applied in LR you hardly see anything change. There is no colour fringing in any images I have taken, I am sure it can be forced somehow but not yet by me.
Vignette is visible at f/1.2 through to f/2 but is of course easily removeable, by f/2,8 there is no vignette at all I can see. In the applications for this lens, you will not notice it at all.
Bokeh is better than anything else I have used and it has never produced any artifacts to detract. "Bokeh" is not simply the amount of blur but the quality of the out of focus highlights, no halos, no diffraction rings, no problems, this is top.
Flare is not as easy to manage with this much glass. It is improved a lot with a lens hood, but compared to some other lenses it is not as strong. However, as with bokeh the quality of the flare is smooth and misty, not objectionable and some people use this lens for it to add a dreamy atmosphere..
Full image is a 50Mp full frame shot
Cropped image below shows incredible detail, sharpness and colour control.
Hand held at 1/160 sec, f/1.2, iso100.
Note: here only exported jpg.
Handling, Carrying:
There is a lot of glass packed into a very solid body, though heavy it is compact. The weight sits happily on your shoulder when using a good strap you only notice it when you're turning around and you'll end up holding it. Looking at it objectively, (excuse the pun), it is bigger and heavier than most lenses in this range, 200g heavier than a 24-70 f/2.8, but not uncomfortably so. Smaller hands will not struggle, but you'll often wish it were lighter.
To facilitate holding such a wide lens, the shape is sculpted with extra clearance for bigger hands on the camera grip. Also plenty of space to have your second hand on the barrel without touching the large focus ring.
When focussing the front of the lens extends a little but does not rotate. When in manual focus mode, the lens is still motor driven with an encoder in the focussing ring, the feel is light but this is a good point. It does mean the lens has to be mounted and powered up to change anything.
The autofocus of this lens is not fast, that is not to say too slow, but most wildlife and sport would just be too fast. For portraits it is plenty fast enough, with tracking Servo on it easily keeps up for portraits, people moving, normally life etc. You're not buying this lens for wildlife or sport, there are better suited lenses available for these.
Manual focus is not fast, but is very precise as you need for f/1.2 depth of field (at 2m you have around 4cm). The min 0.95m (3'3"), to infinity requires around 270°.
Though this is not a general purpose lens, don't underestimate the flexibility in its uses, anything low light or indoors, performance is very, very good. You'll want a top quality filter and the hood fitted to protect the front objective.
The last point is take care when changing lenses, the rear element is also huge and could easily be damaged, so be slow and deliberate.
Decision Options:
There is less choice in specialised fields but here are alternatives with comments which have at least enough overlap to be considered as options either to have or justify your decision.
a) Canon EF85mm f/1.2 L II:
Pros:
• f/1.2 - DOF & Low light performance.
• Best image quality.
• Stability despite no IS.
Cons:
• Higher cost.
• Heavier and bulkier.
• Slower autofocus
a) Canon EF50mm f/1.2 L:
Pros:
• f/1.2 - DOF & Low light performance.
• Best image quality.
• Autofocus fast & quiet.
• Relatively small & light.
Cons:
• Hi cost.
• 50mm not 85mm.
b) Canon EF85mm f/1.8 USM:
Pros:
• 85mm portrait length
• Small and light.
• IS "Image Stabilisation".
• Good image quality.
• Relatively low cost.
Cons:
• Doesn't have f/1.2
• Image quality behind L glass.
c) Canon / Sigma / Tamrom 70-200mm f/2.8's:
Pros:
• Focal length flexibility.
• Solid image quality.
Cons:
• Only f/2.8.
• Heavier and bulkier.
• High cost
Final Decision
If you're thinking about the need for a lens in the catagory, a summary of points witten here will help with your decision. This is a specific lens for specialised applications, which to our eyes is not yet rivalled. There are alternatives but they are not quite like for like.
Focal Length:
This is a prime so not as flexible as a zoom, but when used in the manner and for the subjects it is intended the best. The resolution available allows a lot of cropping if necessary. We had a 70-200 f/2.8 which was bigger, heavier and ended up having so little use we let it go. 85mm is really in the sweet spot for portraits. In short, flexibility is not as limited as you may think but there are real limits.
The competition in most respects is going to be the 50mm f/1.2 L when you need a bigger FOV or 85mm f/1.4 $$$$ or f/1.8 $, for a smaller more responsive lens.
Image quality:
In the real world there are very few lenses with better image quality. Only the flare is less than it could be, but for atmosphere the flare quality is something sought after, so on occasion is an attribute not limitation.
The 50mm f/1.2 is equal here so for this aperture that's your alternative.
The 85mm f/1.8 is in many applications not so noticeably different so is an option here.
Design and Build Quality:
This is absolutely top end, top quality, no shortcomings. It's in the same category as $10,000 cinematic lenses, (as is the EF 50mm f/1.2).
Handling:
Ups and downs here, it's big and it's heavy for the focal length, extra care and thought is needed, but this won't be going up mountains, (believe me). In almost every way the EF85mm f/1.8 USM has handling advantages, being so much smaller and lighter, as does the EF50mm f/1.2L. The focussing speed is possibly the main disadvantage, but it is slower, not bad. The focus precision though is hard to beat.
Conclusion:
Unlike many comparisons there are so few like for likes, the decision is capability and performance linked only, so you cannot just go out and find clear alternatives which do the same thing to compare.
You have a lens like this to use the f/1.2 dof and low light performance, if you don't need this, the EF f/1.8 USM would be your choice, accepting the lower but still good performance. Something a little lighter but still with the f/1.2 associated benefits, the 50mm f/1.2 is always strong, but price is climbing again.
This lens will mount and run happily on Canon R series bodies with an adaptor. There is an RF85mm f/1.2 but it is considerably heavier and larger still so the EF85 is a great alternative and now several $000's cheaper.
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Footnote:
This will be expanded upon from time to time, there is a lot more practical information we'd like to share and guides for more general use.
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