Late to this party (video)... thanks Kevin for an excellent review! Your examples are stunning. I just ordered this lens to pair with my R5 and I am anxiously waiting....
Great video. I also loved the EF 85/1.2 but like you had a hard time nailing focus wide open and once I saw the color fringing on highlights could never unsee it. The RF is a big step up. Still, I expect your example images would have been just as expertly lit and composed with a lesser optic!
Well Kevin, you convinced me, my 85mm f/1.2 DS is arriving in the next hour! I went DS coz for the money I wanted a truly unique look and being here in Texas too, that built in ND works for me! Also pretty much any low light, I use flash/strobe and just figure anything effectively faster than a f/2.8 is just fine in any low light situation I'll find myself in. For some graduations, after the ceremony, we take family/graduate photos and its almost completely pitch black. Shoot that with 24-105 f/4 + flash, or this last time I used 28-70 but still stopped down a bit to make sure everyone was in focus...high speed environment packed with people so not much time and room to make sure everyone is on the same plane.
Congrats! The DS is a fine lens and I'll bet you're going to take some amazing pictures with it. With your username being "White Rock" does that mean you're in the White Rock Lake area in Dallas? The 85 is optically my favorite lens in the entire RF lineup.
@@KevinDeal Yes!!! So excited to finally get my hands on one. Funny you ask, I'm originally from New England with the White Mountains, happy coincidence that the White Rock Lake was here. But I operate over the whole DFW area, but am located in Allen. Let me know if you're ever up this way and/or need some help or just want to meet up for coffee or a meal!
Love the review and the photos you've shown in the beginning. Darn that Crack is heart breaking, glad it still works. Might be a feature with the Crack if you resell it later
I can send it in to Canon to get the crack fixed. Although. I'm not sure I will ever sell this lens. I've just been lazy about getting the crack fixed. Thanks for watching!
I used to shoot with the Tamron Di VC SP 85mm f1.8. While it had that corner to corner sharpness and the image stabilisation was useful, I still sold it and bought the RF 85mm F1.2 to go with my R6. The low light performance of the R6 + 85mm f1.2 is mind boggling. I wasn't expected that. It is helpful when you still want to take photos in the autumn/winter and it's already dark outside at 16:00
I agree. As much as I love bokeh, I opted for the standard version of this lens, specifically for the low-light performance. Tamron makes incredible lenses. If they ever make RF mount lenses, look out.
Great video I normally shoot the 50mm for portraits but I’ve never liked how close to the model you have to get with the 50mm I have a 100mm 2.8 as well which I’ve been using but in my small home studio set up I’ve been struggling with the distance I need at 100 mm so then had to swap back to the 50mm so I’ve finally taken the plunge and ordered my 1st 85mm the ef mk2 L version yeah seen slow af issues and the fringing issues but hopeful I can set my light set up to reduce that effect .looking forward to having a play and you never know the rf version may be the next big investment .I’m currently shooting the r6ii and love that for everything studio wildlife and just been a cruise around the Caribbean with it awesome love it Well great vid will be checking out more 👍
Thanks for watching. If I am presenting the lens to show it, the hood stays off. If I’m using a variable ND filter, the hood has to stay off, since I can’t put the hood on with an ND filter. When I use it in non-ND situations, the hood stays on for protection.
Thanks. It all depends on the body you have and the type of photography you do. For the R5, with the button layout, it makes sense to me because my exposure triangle is in the familiar places it has been in for years on the 5Ds. Thus leaving me with the control ring to assign to whatever I want. When I have fast-changing environments I find myself needing to change up my AF type. I think R and RP owners may need that ring for one of their exposure triangle settings. Thanks for watching!
@@KevinDeal Really helpful to have such real-world wisdom from you Sir, thank you for helping us with our decision. Will purchase the 85 1.2. Thank you.
I am grateful that you took the time to check out this video and that my images were noteworthy enough to leave a positive comment about. That truly means a lot. Thank you!
i have this lens, and dropped it a few days ago. have a similar crack to the one you have. but lower down on the lens, where the canon logo is next to 85. whats the chances of it having damaged something on the inside? it still takes photos and focuses fine. is it likely the outside plastic absorbed the impact and the inside is ok?
The only way to know for sure is to send it in. I never did. I just keep taking pictures and it was fine. You CAN check to see if it’s misaligned. Put the lens in manual. Turn on focus peaking. Gently sweep the lens focus and pay attention to the false color. If it looks like it’s sweeping focus evenly you’re good. If it looks like it’s sweeping unevenly you may have an alignment issue that was caused by the drop.
I wish you had done some "out of the box" job and showed it's capabilities for landscape shooting! I really need to know if I can use it for landscape with the abilities that this lense has! 😢
If you like the 85mm perspective and you want an insanely sharp lens for landscapes, this lens will do that job. It's stupidly large and not a lens I would want to take for landscapes. If I'm taking a lens that heavy, I'd rather it be a zoom, like the 70-200, which also goes to 85.
I am confused between this rf 85 mm prime and Rf 70-200 f2.8. Both costs almost same. Is the smooth portrait comparable with 85 if I use 70-200 leans at 135-200 range at f2.8? 70-200 provides me for flexibility in an event shooting, but I don’t want to compromise with portrait quality. Please suggest.
@@KevinDeal Yeah, I'd cry... Did you ever get a quote to fix it? Or do you not get the accidental damage coverage? Might be a good topic for discussion...
@@whiterock1865 it's insured. I can cash in on the repair any time. I've just been lazy about it. The focal plane is functioning perfectly. Outside of that one tiny crack, there is no sign of damage anywhere on the lens. It happened last November and I've taken thousands of shots on it since then. It really didn't impact it at all from a functionality standpoint. Really a testament to how durable the lenses are. I will get that crack fixed eventually.
@@KevinDeal Gotcha, yeah many reviewers complain how the surface is plasticy...they probably don't realize its plastic over metal frame keeping the surface from feel cold and being nicer to hold overall...I'd rather have a tiny crack then a big dent.
Interested to know if you get any marks on the front element by not using a protective filter, I have been using protective filters on my lenses (take them off for when it counts). They do get scratched up so am I going to get scratched lens by not having them on?
You absolutely run the risk of scratching without filters. None of my lenses have any. I have a warranty to protect them if I need to replace the front element.
I must be lucky as I have had the canon 5D mk II , 5D mk III , 5d mk IV , and R5 with a lot of different lens and have never put a filter on any of the lens ever and have never damaged the front element of any lens. I have destroyed a couple of camera \ lens by dropping them onto concrete but as far as just scratching or damaging the front element it has not been a concern. Even if it were to get scratched I don't think it shows up in the photo's. I have heard of people buying scratched lens off Ebay cheap and say they can't see the scratch in the photo's.
@@adventure9606 it's hard to scratch the lenses. It usually ends up happening when the lens is in the bag, the cap pops off and something loose in your bag keeps banging against it.
The things we do for our kids….the 85 will still be there for you at a later date. Thankfully you understand that the moments with your daughter are one of a kind. My photography dream got derailed for years by life. I’ve only recently been able to get back into it. Can’t wait for you to get back on track with your 85 some day. Thanks for the watch!
@@KevinDeal yep, I’ve got the 2-5 stop and 6-9 stop polar pros in 82mm and I use step down rings on any smaller lenses! I haven’t shot in quite a while with the exception of a vacation. But I’ve got triplet daughters on the way so my genre may change a bit lol. Keep up the videos, they’re good!
@@Jstnelson congrats! I have triplet nieces and a nephew. You're going to love fatherhood. I got a Fuji GFX100S. Need to get that review going soon. BUT....I still have a ton of Canon stuff to get through first. Thanks for watching and the words of encouragement!
@@KevinDeal definitely excited to become a father! Nice! Medium format interests me as someone who loves to edit and pixel peep and see detail and color depth.
I talk about the differences between the regular and DS versions in the video. The DS is fantastic, but I decided the bokeh in the regular one is amazing enough and I'd rather have the low light performance.
@@KevinDeal no on the R3, there is no rolling shutter, but only the R3 has this electronic shutter that has no rolling shutter, but of coarse thats what 7000euro buys
The train doesn't run on Sunday and it was at the very end of the track where it ends. The train literally doesn't go that far in Austin. There's a bumper behind the model
It's too costly. If you are a pro or earn money then go for it. No doubt it's one of the best portrait lenses. However, I love 105mm focal length for portraiture. Plastic surgeons use 105mm before and after operation as this gives zero distortion of human face and body. Monirul Islam Dhaka, Bangladesh. 05 May 2024
![[UA] NAVI vs MOUZ | BO5 | IEM Rio 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CMBYk0cbGoA/mqdefault.jpg)
Is the RF85mm f/1.2 L USM your favorite portrait lens for the Canon EOS R system? Tell me in the comments.
R5 + 85 f 1.2 ! Cheers from Romania
@@befreetv354 Beautiful! I use the same combo.
It's next on the acquisition list!
Stellar examples of what this lens can do. It’s my favorite too!
thank you
Late to this party (video)... thanks Kevin for an excellent review! Your examples are stunning. I just ordered this lens to pair with my R5 and I am anxiously waiting....
That's going to be an amazing combination. You're going to have blast with it.
Great video. I also loved the EF 85/1.2 but like you had a hard time nailing focus wide open and once I saw the color fringing on highlights could never unsee it. The RF is a big step up. Still, I expect your example images would have been just as expertly lit and composed with a lesser optic!
Yes. Thank you for the compliments on my images. But might as well enjoy the nicer tools that are available to us these days. Thank you for the watch!
This is all I needed to see. Def getting this next > 🔥📸 wonderful shots
Thank you. It’s my favorite all time lens!
Love these kinds of practical reviews. Sure beats people shooting grids on wall. :)
It's way too fun of a lens to just point at a wall. Thanks for dropping by
Some fire content🔥🔥 really enjoyed your images and the audio. What a lens
thank you!
Thank you for excellent review🙏
I upgraded my lens from rf85 f2 macro to rf85 f1.2L👍👍👍
congrats! It's a great lens!
Well Kevin, you convinced me, my 85mm f/1.2 DS is arriving in the next hour! I went DS coz for the money I wanted a truly unique look and being here in Texas too, that built in ND works for me! Also pretty much any low light, I use flash/strobe and just figure anything effectively faster than a f/2.8 is just fine in any low light situation I'll find myself in. For some graduations, after the ceremony, we take family/graduate photos and its almost completely pitch black. Shoot that with 24-105 f/4 + flash, or this last time I used 28-70 but still stopped down a bit to make sure everyone was in focus...high speed environment packed with people so not much time and room to make sure everyone is on the same plane.
Congrats! The DS is a fine lens and I'll bet you're going to take some amazing pictures with it. With your username being "White Rock" does that mean you're in the White Rock Lake area in Dallas?
The 85 is optically my favorite lens in the entire RF lineup.
@@KevinDeal Yes!!! So excited to finally get my hands on one. Funny you ask, I'm originally from New England with the White Mountains, happy coincidence that the White Rock Lake was here. But I operate over the whole DFW area, but am located in Allen. Let me know if you're ever up this way and/or need some help or just want to meet up for coffee or a meal!
@@whiterock1865 Awesome! I lived in McKinney from 2007-2014. Moved to Austin in 2014. I'll be in DFW next week filming new episodes.
@@KevinDeal Sweet! Let me know if you need any help with the shoot?
Love the review and the photos you've shown in the beginning. Darn that Crack is heart breaking, glad it still works. Might be a feature with the Crack if you resell it later
I can send it in to Canon to get the crack fixed. Although. I'm not sure I will ever sell this lens. I've just been lazy about getting the crack fixed.
Thanks for watching!
5:25 Did it break on its own or did it fall?
Ty. Great review and pov.
I love your work, first time here.
Thx for inspiration
Thanks for watching! And thank you for the kind words!
I used to shoot with the Tamron Di VC SP 85mm f1.8. While it had that corner to corner sharpness and the image stabilisation was useful, I still sold it and bought the RF 85mm F1.2 to go with my R6. The low light performance of the R6 + 85mm f1.2 is mind boggling. I wasn't expected that. It is helpful when you still want to take photos in the autumn/winter and it's already dark outside at 16:00
I agree. As much as I love bokeh, I opted for the standard version of this lens, specifically for the low-light performance.
Tamron makes incredible lenses. If they ever make RF mount lenses, look out.
Great video I normally shoot the 50mm for portraits but I’ve never liked how close to the model you have to get with the 50mm I have a 100mm 2.8 as well which I’ve been using but in my small home studio set up I’ve been struggling with the distance I need at 100 mm so then had to swap back to the 50mm so I’ve finally taken the plunge and ordered my 1st 85mm the ef mk2 L version yeah seen slow af issues and the fringing issues but hopeful I can set my light set up to reduce that effect .looking forward to having a play and you never know the rf version may be the next big investment .I’m currently shooting the r6ii and love that for everything studio wildlife and just been a cruise around the Caribbean with it awesome love it
Well great vid will be checking out more 👍
Thanks! Yes. The RF version is quite a beast. But the AF is insanely fast and the sharpness is the best.
Thanks for watching!
@@KevinDeal yeah looks well impressive but just as an amateur myself it’s a fair stretch at minute but maybe one day 🤞
Can’t wait to get this lens
It’s a special one. Thanks for the watch!
awesome informative video. Making me want to get into Digital too.
Hey do you think you will be making a video about Speedlight/strobes/flash?
I will. I did an episode on shooting fire. It goes a bit into my lighting set up.
thank you for reviewing this lens without the hood on.
Thanks for watching.
If I am presenting the lens to show it, the hood stays off. If I’m using a variable ND filter, the hood has to stay off, since I can’t put the hood on with an ND filter. When I use it in non-ND situations, the hood stays on for protection.
Beast of a lens🔥🔥🔥 what a crazy bokeh🔥🔥🔥
it's a pretty sick lens. I love it so much.
Nice. I had never thought about assigning the control ring to AF mode, going to try that for a while.
Thanks. It all depends on the body you have and the type of photography you do. For the R5, with the button layout, it makes sense to me because my exposure triangle is in the familiar places it has been in for years on the 5Ds. Thus leaving me with the control ring to assign to whatever I want. When I have fast-changing environments I find myself needing to change up my AF type.
I think R and RP owners may need that ring for one of their exposure triangle settings.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this review. We image clinical details; is it as sharp as the 100 rf macro, in your opinion?
I own the 100. I would say the 50, 85, 100 and 135 are all the same in terms of sharpness.
Thank you for the kind words.
@@KevinDeal Really helpful to have such real-world wisdom from you Sir, thank you for helping us with our decision. Will purchase the 85 1.2. Thank you.
I use mine for most of my portrait shoots,its just a gorgeous piece of glass.
Fact
Another amazing review. Thanks!!
Thanks for the watch!
Another great video. I use an 85 almost exclusively for environmental . 50mm is my most used focal length but the 85mm is quickly catching up.
Thanks! Yes. 85mm for environmental portraits is special. You have to get a little further back, but the reward is worth it. Thanks for the watch!
05:14 …I think my heart stopped just hearing that…😝 Good thing it’s a beast…Nice review..👍🏻
It is a beast. Worth every penny for what I do! Thanks for the watch!
Excellent work!
Thanks for the watch!
Do you shoot wide open or stop down 😮
Both
Your pictures have something extraordinary for me. I do not know what it is.
I am grateful that you took the time to check out this video and that my images were noteworthy enough to leave a positive comment about. That truly means a lot. Thank you!
i have this lens, and dropped it a few days ago. have a similar crack to the one you have. but lower down on the lens, where the canon logo is next to 85. whats the chances of it having damaged something on the inside? it still takes photos and focuses fine. is it likely the outside plastic absorbed the impact and the inside is ok?
The only way to know for sure is to send it in. I never did. I just keep taking pictures and it was fine.
You CAN check to see if it’s misaligned. Put the lens in manual. Turn on focus peaking. Gently sweep the lens focus and pay attention to the false color. If it looks like it’s sweeping focus evenly you’re good. If it looks like it’s sweeping unevenly you may have an alignment issue that was caused by the drop.
Little crack, heart attack? I've been dead already. 😂
Thankful for insurance. Thanks for the watch!
I wish you had done some "out of the box" job and showed it's capabilities for landscape shooting! I really need to know if I can use it for landscape with the abilities that this lense has! 😢
If you like the 85mm perspective and you want an insanely sharp lens for landscapes, this lens will do that job. It's stupidly large and not a lens I would want to take for landscapes. If I'm taking a lens that heavy, I'd rather it be a zoom, like the 70-200, which also goes to 85.
My favorite lens too!
Simply the best
I am confused between this rf 85 mm prime and Rf 70-200 f2.8. Both costs almost same. Is the smooth portrait comparable with 85 if I use 70-200 leans at 135-200 range at f2.8? 70-200 provides me for flexibility in an event shooting, but I don’t want to compromise with portrait quality. Please suggest.
If you have control over your environment get the 85. If you don’t get the 70-200.
Note to self "don't buy used gear from Kevin Deal" ;). Great video, keep em coming!
Lol. I know. Oops.
@@KevinDeal Yeah, I'd cry... Did you ever get a quote to fix it? Or do you not get the accidental damage coverage? Might be a good topic for discussion...
@@whiterock1865 it's insured. I can cash in on the repair any time. I've just been lazy about it. The focal plane is functioning perfectly. Outside of that one tiny crack, there is no sign of damage anywhere on the lens. It happened last November and I've taken thousands of shots on it since then. It really didn't impact it at all from a functionality standpoint. Really a testament to how durable the lenses are. I will get that crack fixed eventually.
@@KevinDeal Gotcha, yeah many reviewers complain how the surface is plasticy...they probably don't realize its plastic over metal frame keeping the surface from feel cold and being nicer to hold overall...I'd rather have a tiny crack then a big dent.
@@whiterock1865 me too. Also, weight. Plastics have come a long way.
Interested to know if you get any marks on the front element by not using a protective filter, I have been using protective filters on my lenses (take them off for when it counts). They do get scratched up so am I going to get scratched lens by not having them on?
You absolutely run the risk of scratching without filters. None of my lenses have any. I have a warranty to protect them if I need to replace the front element.
I must be lucky as I have had the canon 5D mk II , 5D mk III , 5d mk IV , and R5 with a lot of different lens and have never put a filter on any of the lens ever and have never damaged the front element of any lens. I have destroyed a couple of camera \ lens by dropping them onto concrete but as far as just scratching or damaging the front element it has not been a concern. Even if it were to get scratched I don't think it shows up in the photo's. I have heard of people buying scratched lens off Ebay cheap and say they can't see the scratch in the photo's.
@@adventure9606 it's hard to scratch the lenses. It usually ends up happening when the lens is in the bag, the cap pops off and something loose in your bag keeps banging against it.
The rf 85mm 2.0 is a great contender.
I used to own the 85 f2. It's a fantastic lens.
Will this lens work with Canon eos r body?
Yes it will.
Could you make a vídeo about rf 85 1.2 vs rf 100mm macro for general portraits?
I will be making a review on the RF100 soon. In that review I will be comparing it to the 85 for portraits. Thanks for watching!
Nice video and good work:)
Thank you. I appreciate the watch.
@@KevinDeal :)
I might pick up the DS version of this lens instead. I do prefer the look of the DS version of the lens. What do you think?
You lose over a stop of light but maintain the shallow depth of field. It’s your call. I went with the regular. The bokeh was already amazing.
Correction: Filter size is 82mm not 87 mm. ☺️
Yes. I misspoke. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
i loved mine but i had to pawn it so i could pay for my daughter's volleyball tournament trip. so sad that i had to but at least my daughter had fun.
The things we do for our kids….the 85 will still be there for you at a later date. Thankfully you understand that the moments with your daughter are one of a kind.
My photography dream got derailed for years by life. I’ve only recently been able to get back into it.
Can’t wait for you to get back on track with your 85 some day.
Thanks for the watch!
Very nice
Thank you.
Perhaps all other 85 run short?
You think every company decided to make theirs short?
The filter thread is actually 82mm, I use NDs with mine all the time!
Yup. 82mm. Definitely cheaper than the 95mm for my 28-70. lol.
Are you rolling with the Polar Pro? Haven't seen your work on IG in a while.
@@KevinDeal yep, I’ve got the 2-5 stop and 6-9 stop polar pros in 82mm and I use step down rings on any smaller lenses!
I haven’t shot in quite a while with the exception of a vacation. But I’ve got triplet daughters on the way so my genre may change a bit lol.
Keep up the videos, they’re good!
@@Jstnelson congrats! I have triplet nieces and a nephew. You're going to love fatherhood.
I got a Fuji GFX100S. Need to get that review going soon. BUT....I still have a ton of Canon stuff to get through first.
Thanks for watching and the words of encouragement!
@@KevinDeal definitely excited to become a father!
Nice! Medium format interests me as someone who loves to edit and pixel peep and see detail and color depth.
@@Jstnelson the color detail in shadows is insane.
I should link to some RAW files when I drop my review. That way you can mess around with them.
What about DS?
I talk about the differences between the regular and DS versions in the video. The DS is fantastic, but I decided the bokeh in the regular one is amazing enough and I'd rather have the low light performance.
My only problem with the new RF85 is that I get pain in my right side on the back where I am now missing a kidney to pay for it.
Facts. But the pain is worth it.
Get R3 and you shoot in sun wide open up to 64000 shutter, no need for ND
That’s in electronic though right? Because that can cause issues if it’s own.
@@KevinDeal no on the R3, there is no rolling shutter, but only the R3 has this electronic shutter that has no rolling shutter, but of coarse thats what 7000euro buys
@@ronaldcphotography O'm waiting for that Global shutter on the R1 that keeps being rumored.
1:49. Bruh.... Never shoot on train tracks Never
The train doesn't run on Sunday and it was at the very end of the track where it ends. The train literally doesn't go that far in Austin. There's a bumper behind the model
It's too costly. If you are a pro or earn money then go for it. No doubt it's one of the best portrait lenses. However, I love 105mm focal length for portraiture. Plastic surgeons use 105mm before and after operation as this gives zero distortion of human face and body.
Monirul Islam
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
05 May 2024
It’s definitely not a cheap lens. Thanks for stopping by!