Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Announced

Some of you may recall earlier in the year, Canon announced the Canon EOS RP – an entry-level model in the new “R” full-frame mirrorless lineup at Canon. At the same time back in February 2019, Canon also announced the development of six new RF lenses to be released by the end of the year to compliment the new mirrorless system.

And just days ago, Canon officially announced the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM standard prime lens. Designed to exceed the demands of portrait photographers and videographers looking for a more pleasing focal length for closeups, thanks to its bright f/1.2 aperture, solid build quality and of course, incredible optical performance.

The new RF 85mm f1.2 has a minimum focus distance of of 2.79 feet, and features a customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO, much like other RF lenses.

Being an L-series lens means that the lens is also dust and weather sealed. The optical design also includes an Aspheric and UD Lens elements, along with Air Sphere Coating (ASC) to help minimize lens flare and ghosting.

The 85mm focal length is often the preferred focal length selected by photographers when shooting portraits because it provides an appropriate depth and perspective of the subject relative to the background, helping to capture high-quality imagery with beautiful and desirable bokeh.

Canon EOS R shooters now have an incredible native portrait lens and can easily retire their 85mm EF equivalents.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Features

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element
  • One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
  • Air Sphere Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Pre-order: $2,699 at B&H

Canon RF 85mm f1.2 USM

One of the most unique features of the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is Canon’s proprietary optical technology – Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) Optics designed to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations that could occur with large aperture lenses.

The BR optical element, first introduced in the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, is inserted into the lens and refracts blue light between the concave and convex lenses. This enables the convergence of the entire wavelength of light to one point, resulting in higher image quality from the center to the edges of an image.

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is expected to start shipping in June 2019 and is now available for pre-order at authorised dealers such as B&H for $2699.

For full specs head over to Canon.

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