Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, this new medium telephoto lens uses a Ring-type USM, high-speed CPU and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed approximately 1.8x faster than the original. The high-speed AF and Circular aperture create a shallow depth-of-field that brings attention to the subject and blurs the background, which is ideal for portraits and weddings. The floating optical system, which includes an Aspherical lens element, suppresses aberrations and ensures excellent imaging performance.
Developed to succeed Canon’s highly acclaimed EF85mm f/1.2L USM lens
launched in September 1989, the new EF85mm f/1.2L II USM is a
mediumtelephoto lens boasting the highest Brightness in its class* to deliver the high-Resolution, high-Contrast images for which Canon’s L-series is renowned.
Employing large, high-precision aspherical lenses in combination with a
floating construction that suppresses aberrations during focusing,
Canon’s new ultra-large- aperture medium-telephoto lens maintains the
superior image quality throughout the shooting range that its
predecessor was acclaimed for.It employs lens element positioning and
lens Coating to ensure excellent Color balance while minimizing the
ghosting and flare that can easily occur when shooting in the digital
format.
Moreover,the new Canon EF85mm f/1.2L II USM lens goes even farther
to meet the needs of professional and advanced amateur users by
incorporating such high-performance features, high-speed CPU, and an
optimized AF algorithm to realize an AF speed 1.8 times as fast as that
of its predecessor.
Ideal for professional photographers who shoot portraits and
weddings, Canon’s EF85mm f/1.2L II USM medium-telephoto lens features a
circular EMD (electromagnetic diaphragm) that achieves excellent
background Blur.
Concept of development The EF85mm f/1.2L II USM (Photo 2) is an L-series medium
telephoto lens developed as a successor to the EF85mm f/1.2L USM, which
is very popular for its ultra-large aperture of f/1.2 and high
resolution since it was released in 1989.
The model has been redesigned to increase AF speed, while retaining the excellent optical performance of its predecessor.
The development concept is as follows:
Inheriting excellent optical performance of the original EF85mm f/1.2L USM
Much higher AF speed than its predecessor
Use of circular aperture
Feature 1: Inheriting excellent optical performance
By adopting a large aperture, precision ground and polished glass
aspherical lens with the same 8 elements in 7 groups as its
predecessor, the EF85mm f/1.2L II USM minimizes aberrations such as
Spherical aberration and provides excellent quality images with both
high resolution and contrast from the maximum aperture of f/1.2 (Fig.
4).
Fig. 4 EF85mm f/1.2L II USM Optical System
The lens uses relative floating element construction in which the rear
lens group is fixed and the other groups extend as a unit during
focusing. This suppresses Aberration variations and achieves excellent
performance over the entire imaging area (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 MTF Characteristic Charts of EF85mm f/1.2L II USM
Feature 2: Much higher-speed AF
The combination of a front lens group focusing system in which groups 1
to 7 are extended and a ring-type USM drive is the same as its
predecessor, but the AF speed has been significantly improved by up to
1.8 times* compared to its predecessor through the use of a high-speed
CPU and optimization of AF algorithms.
* Depends on camera and shooting conditions.
Feature 3: Circular aperture for attractive bokeh effects
Thanks to the EMD's circular aperture together with the shallow depth
of field typical of a large aperture lens, the lens provides attractive
blur effects (bokeh).
Feature 4: Lens coating optimized for use with digital SLR cameras
Like its predecessor, the EF85mm f/1.2L II USM uses coating optimized
for use with digital SLR cameras. As a result, it successfully realizes
both good color balance and minimization of ghost and flare
attributable to surface reflections from the digital imaging element.
Feature 5: Superb operability Focusing ring providing a smooth feel to operation
The electronic lens ring system provides subtlely smooth focusing. It
also provides Full-time manual focusing that allows manual focus after
one-shot AF operation without leaving AF mode.
Distance information for improving flash exposure precision
Distance information can be sent to the camera during AF, thus making
the EF85mm f/1.2L II USM compatible with the E-TTL II autoflash system
for the optimal flash exposure.
Rubber coating for excellent grip
A soft rubberized outer coating has been used to provide a more secure grip and easier handling.
Dedicated hood with superb light blocking
Like its predecessor, the EF85mm f/1.2L II USM uses the ES-79II
cylindrical hood, which is excellent for preventing Reflection thanks
to flocking on the inner surface.
Feature 6: Environmentally friendly design
The optical system contains only environmentally friendly lead-free
glasses. The EF85mm f/1.2L II USM is also in compliance with Canon's
own standard covering the RoHS Directive.
Like others of extreme specification, this is a connoisseur's lens. Bearing in mind its street price it is clearly not meant for most amateurs. Our view is that a wide-aperture optic should be brought for its performance wide-open and because the photographers work or interest requires it - not for imagined prestige as may have occurred in the past. Who needed a medium telephoto f/1.2. Canon describes it as the companies definitive portrait lens and points to applications in covering indoor sports and natural life in poor light, as well as impromptu shots as weddings and other social functions to avoid the use of flash. The pattern of performance found on the test certainly confirms its suitability for portraiture, going from a pleasant softness of textures when wide open to sharper rendering on stopping down. However, there is a lingering feeling it could be better still fully open and the colour fringing makes it a hesitant recommendation without prior trial for your specific use. Although improved in some respects - mainly mechanical - it remains, essentially a 17 yer old design. At a less extreme aperture this ago would not be that relevant. Possibly the market demand for an 85mm f/1.2 is sufficient to incur the heavy costs of reformulation, with use o fmore expensive low-Dispersion glass, tooling up and so on. As it stands, it is a classic traditional lens of a unique specification, which fulfils its claims but is not for those looking for cutting -edge crispness of detail at the wider end of the aperture scale.
Oh buy the way this is a truly stunning looking lens and you will find it hard to see a more beautiful chunk of glass.
Sharpness / Definition
The impact on contrast of closing the aperture is dramatic, taking performance levels from poor at f/1.2 to high at f/5.6. Much of the density loss is due to lateral chromatic aberrations, particularly in the longer red wavelengths.
Vignetting
Corner darkening might well be noticeable at full aperture in theory, but with the type of image likely to be shot with this lens being portrait then its presence is probably go unseen. By the time the aperture is closed 2 EV to f/1.8the effect will not be visible.
Focal length
We found then when focused at infinity the lens length was 83.8mm , at 15 meters it was 85.4mm and at 7.7meters it was 86mm.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Undecided Pros: Speed, build Cons: Price, not s good as you would expect for this price.
Last updated: Wednesday, 23 January 2008
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 36 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.6
Sharpness
4.5
Build Quality
4.7
AF Speed
4.6
Value for Money
4.6
Add new review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
My two cents and a great, great lens for works of , Sunday, 26 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I got this lens for portraits, weddings and for shooting flat art work. ~~ For now I'm favoring the use my Canon 55mm f/1.4, over the 85mm f/1.2L. for portraits and weddings. ~~ This may very well change when it comes to shooting more weddings inside under particularly dark conditions and evening receptions where lights are set way low and candles are lit for the ambiance. ~~~~~~~~~~ Though for flat art work, I'm now using the 85mm f/1.2L; I 'feel' I'm getting greater clarity and sharpness from this lens then other lenses I have while shooting flat art work. ~~ Then there is one big major improvement I've been absolutely stunned by while using this lens to photograph flat art work. ~~ And that is, when shooting paintings; layers of semitransparent brush strokes are discernible. ~~ That is to say the transparency of the bush strokes and depth such brush strokes of color create, are both discernible in the photographic images with the difference between opaque and transparent colored brush strokes also pronounced, truly *remarkable*! ~~ The norm is a flatting out of this kind of pictorial depth with a blending of the layered semitransparent color which then is viewed as a single flat opaque color in photographic images. ~~~~~~~~~~ I'm personally not bothered by the bulk and weight of this lens though some might be. The lens is solid and constructed to last, I only fault the manual focus ring as being too loose and feel it should have a slight Bit of 'drag' to it (it may only be an irregularity in my lens and note: the lens was purchased used). ~~~~~~~~~~ I feel this lens is perhaps too sharp and crisp for landscapes and for very brightly lit conditions; such shots come out with that "'fuzzy' overly processed sharpened" look, which looks terribly artificial. For now I'm continuing to take all types of shots with this lens to better determine it's best uses and limitations, for example I've yet to attempt night shots, which many pros love using this lens for.
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My two cents and a great, great lens for works of , Sunday, 26 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I got this lens for portraits, weddings and for shooting flat art work. ~~ For now I'm favoring my Canon 55mm f/1.4, over the 85mm f/1.2L. for portraits and weddings. ~~ This may very well change when it comes to shooting more weddings inside under particularly dark conditions and evening receptions where lights are set way low and candles are lit for the ambiance. ~~~~~~~~~~ Though for flat art work, I'm now using the 85mm f/1.2L; I 'feel' I'm getting greater clarity and sharpness from this lens then other lenses I have while shooting flat art work. ~~ Then there is one big major improvement I've been absolutely stunned by while using this lens to photograph flat art work. ~~ And that is, when shooting paintings; layers of semitransparent brush strokes are discernible. ~~ That is to say the transparency of the bush strokes and depth such brush strokes of color create, are both discernible in the photographic images with the difference between opaque and transparent colored brush strokes also pronounced, truly *remarkable*! ~~ The norm is a flatting out of this kind of pictorial depth with a blending of the layered semitransparent color which then is viewed as a single flat opaque color in photographic images. ~~~~~~~~~~ I'm personally not bothered by the bulk and weight of this lens though some might be. The lens is solid and constructed to last, I only fault the manual focus ring as being too loose and feel it should have a slight bit of 'drag' to it (it may only be an irregularity in my lens and note: the lens was purchased used). ~~~~~~~~~~ I feel this lens is perhaps too sharp and crisp for landscapes and for very brightly lit conditions; such shots come out with that "'fuzzy' overly processed sharpened" look, which looks terribly artificial. For now I'm continuing to take all types of shots with this lens to better determine it's best uses and limitations, for example I've yet to attempt night shots, which many pros love using this lens for.
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One of Most Superior L Glass Existed!!!, Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
As many of you navigated into this page, I'm pretty sure you already know the capabilities of this lens, however, you are just here to find an even stronger reason to click that ORDER button. Im here to clear up a few things that people compared between the 135mm f2L and this 85mm f1.2L II.First of all let me say that many people out there compare this lens to its "twin brother" the 135mm f2L, BUT the differences between these two lenses are far from being similar. Noticing that the 85mm is wide open at 1.2 not f2 so the bokeh ability are so smooth, so soft, and so dreamy that most likely ONLY THIS LENS can deliver such quality. You can say all you want but putting both lenses together at the same F stop and shooting the same subject, you will notice the bokeh on the 85mm actually look "dreamy" where as the 135mm is just REALLY SOFT but not enough to be consider as "dreamy". Every professional website you go to that does a review for this lens will always note or quote the word "Dreamy" that you DO NOT see on the review for the 135mm or any other lens. This lens although slower than the 135mm and most other lenses but the extra few stop you gain is quite a compensation for the lack of speed. I've used this lens to shoot fashion and it always turn out very sharp. So I can really say that this lens can do some decent fast action shoot, however, 135mm will be a better choice for this category of speed, after all, the 135mm was made for action photography. Why? It's lighter, longer reach, faster focus, and easier to haul around on a rough shooting day. 85mm is made for portrait and still motion subject. As long as you use the lens correctly, the results are beyond stunning. The weight and glass quality of this lens feel much sturdier and stronger than that of the 135mm and most other L. That extra 1000$ difference in price has its reason. Im sure canon made some good judgment when they decided on the price tag for this lens. You get what you paid for. This is a very luxury lens, it's not a lens of NEED but rather a lens of WANT. So those of you who consider this piece of glass, you know pretty well that this glass will give you some amazing quality beyond anything you have seen before. So I definitely recommend this lens to anyone who can afford it at such a painful price. It will repay you handsomely. Yes, this is one of those lens that you do not want to play with if you are not planning to purchase it... because once you take a few shot with this lens, that other side of you will start telling you how much it wants this lens. =) Hopefully that will help some of you decide whether you want the 85mm or the 135mm depends on your application for them. Good luck to you all, punch a hole in your wallet and buy either one =D.
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A masterpiece., Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I have owned both the 50mm 1.2L and this 85mm 1.2L, and this thing is absolutely worth the extra $400.00. There is no way the 50mm 1.2L is $1,000.00 better than Canon's 50mm 1.4, but this 85mm is worth every single penny. It focusses slowly I suppose, but more importantly, unlike the 50, it focusses accurately every time. I'll take slow and sharp over fast and blurry any day of the week.
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What took me so long?, Thursday, 29 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
For quite a while I debated whether or not to get this lens. I have the 70-200 so that focal length was covered... If this sounds like you, then let me help you right now.
Click BUY.
I have an entire aresenal of L's and this is the best by far. It takes some time to master it, but after the learning curve you will be a HERO PHOTOGRAPHER. I shoot at 1.2 all day long and the results are spectacular.
Click BUY.
1.2 is 100 times better than 1.4 - trust me.
Click BUY.
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What took me so long?, Thursday, 29 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
For quite a while I debated whether or not to get this lens. I have the 70-200 so that focal length was covered... If this sounds like you, then let me help you right now.
I have an entire aresenal of L's and this is the best by far. It takes some time to master it, but after the learning curve you will be a HERO PHOTOGRAPHER.
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This is a great lens!, Sunday, 18 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
If you want to shoot great images on a great camera, bond this with any full frame Canon camera and it will knock your socks off.
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Save your money, Sunday, 28 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
2.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
2.0
I dont see what all the raving is about, this lens is not so hot. Bad Chromatic aberration, its slow to focus, and it is tough to calibrate. Add to that it also does not allow tight portraits because of the poor minimum focal distance. Get the 135mm f/2, you can stand closer and you are already optically closer so you can get a much tighter portrait, and the IQ is top notch. This lens is not worth $1800. It pales in comparison to the Nikon 85mm 1.4. If you must have 85 for portraits buy the Nikon adapter and use the 85mm 1.4 from nikon, it is half the price so you still get off cheaper and the optical quality is top notch, one of Nikon's sharpest lenses and let's face it. Nikon is a better lens company than Canon.
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The tool you must Have!, Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Wow! Last time I've been so trigger happy was when I got my first DSLR. This is an amazing imaging tool. The quality of the bokeh... the colors and sharpness is just beautiful... This is a gem... anyone thinking about it should simply get it. New bodies will upgrade... lenses like these will upgrade slowly... and can be used for years to come. Sure it's a little heavy and a little slow to focus... but the upside is too great to NOT have this in your tool box. This is for sure my favorite lens.
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Superb bokeh but lacking in autofocus speed., Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I will spare you all the detail of prior reviews as I believe they have probably all rehashed the superb qualities of this lens. It excels at portraiture and superb smooth bokeh that makes your jaw drop. Even your out of focus shots hold a mystique from that dreamy bokeh that makes you go back and look at them over and over again.
Where this lens is lacking is in its autofocus speed. Moving all of that glass is not fast and this is certainly no autofocus sports lens. This is where I knock 1 star off. If Canon can improve the autofocus speed on this lens then it is without a doubt deserving a 5 star rating. Even without it however, when applied to the proper subject matter this is a superb lens.
BTW: I have given this lens the nickname of Glass Sphere. When you pick it up for the first time the heft you feel makes it feel light you're holding a solid sphere of expensive glass...
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Comparison to 135mm f2L, Sunday, 07 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
3.5
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
3.0
People considering this lens should already have a pretty good idea of its salient characteristics -- the excellent operation in low light, the narrow Depth of field, and the attractive bokeh. It good for indoor, natural light photography, especially if you have only a single subject to photograph. The narrow depth of field at wide apertures make it less valuable if you are hoping to photograph more than one subject. Even with two people side-by-side, at wider than f2 there is a decent chance you'll get one in focus and one out of focus. So, it's primarily a portrait lens.
As such, many people may be considering it next to Canon's 135mm f2L lens, which has similar characteristics. For most people, I would suggest the 135mm lens. The 85mm lens is faster and lets you work closer to the subject, but (a) the autofocus is extremely slow and not particularly accurate. There is no manual override while in Auto mode, so you'll probably end up shutting off autofocus much of the time. (b) I get consistently more attractive images from the 135mm lens. And (c) the 85mm costs twice as much.
This is the second generation of this 85mm lens; perhaps Canon will fix the autofocus problems in version III one of these years. If they also shave a few hundred dollars off this price, this will become a first-tier lens. Until then, I'm happier with the 135mm.
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Comparison to 135mm f2L, Sunday, 07 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
People considering this lens should already have a pretty good idea of its salient characteristics -- the excellent operation in low light, the narrow depth of field, and the attractive bokeh. It is especially good for indoor, natural light photography, particularly if you have only a single subject to photograph. The narrow depth of field at wide apertures make it less valuable if you are hoping to photograph more than one subject. Even with two people side-by-side, at wider than f2 there is a decent chance you'll get one in focus and one out of focus. So, it's primarily a portrait lens.
As such, many people may be considering it next to Canon's 135mm f2L lens, which has similar characteristics. For most people, I would suggest the 135mm lens. The 85mm lens is faster and lets you work closer to the subject, but (a) the autofocus is extremely slow and not particularly accurate. There is no manual override while in Auto mode, so you'll probably end up shutting off autofocus much of the time. (b) I get consistently more attractive images from the 135mm lens. And (c) the 85mm costs twice as much.
This is the second generation of this 85mm lens; perhaps Canon will fix the autofocus problems in version III one of these years. If they also shave a few hundred dollars off this price, this will become a first-tier lens. Until then, I'm happier with the 135mm.
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85 mm f1.2 L, Thursday, 23 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
There is very little that I can say that hasn't been written already about this lens. It has spectacular low light capabilities and can make the background blur to creamy oblivion. Matched with the Canon 5D or better makes this an ideal portrait lens. The focus is fast and accurate.
Of course the price is steep, but with Amazon offering 12 mo. financing, it made this purchase much more affordable.
Recommended for advance amateurs and above.
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One of the best lenses ever made, Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This particular focal length is the ideal length for portraits, and for my particular skills, it gives the same results in shooting full body shots, or portrait shots with 2 and 3 people, as well.
Be forewarned, this requires a certain level of skill, and a certain knowledge of the camera itself. Furthermore, I am shooting a 1Ds Mk III. And while this lens is not known to be a particularly fast focusing lens, it is clear that it focuses better with the 45 point AF of this system than with that of the lower end cameras (I also own a 50D and a 5D - and a film EOS 3. And I have owned a 10D, 20D and a 40D also).
Many users may have problems using the lens stopped wide open or nearly wide open, due to the EXTREMELY shallow depth of field, and this is an important consideration. It should, however, be noted that the lens can be stopped down quite a few steps to still obtain superior shots than you would with any zoom, Canon L Zooms included. It's the ultimate prime, and it is noticeably such.
The results that can be achieved with this lens are simply mind-boggling. It is so tack sharp when shot correctly, it is almost unbelievable. The color is more correct than with most other lenses, and definitely deeper, with a higher amount of contrast. Using the high end 1Ds Mark III body accentuates this effect a bit more.
With that said, I would suggest that equal consideration be given to the 50mm f/1.2L lens, as I consider this to be an equal companion (a sister) to this lens. If you can't afford both, base your decision on which focal length would provide the most use for your particular needs. If you can afford both, I recommend both equally.
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The sharpest canon lens on the market to date, Monday, 05 May 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I am a huge fan of this lens - both on my full frame body (canon 1dsmkiii) and on my crop chip backup camera (40D).
Besides the fact that this lens is super expensive... it is probably the best canon lens made today.
It is by far - the sharpest lens - I have ever used on the canon line... and probably one of the top 5 sharpest lenses I have ever used in any camera system.
Not just sharp - two stops up from wide open... but sharp - wide open.
I was shooting a party at a bowling alley. Disco bowling. So it was mostly dark - and there were disco lights and fog and all sorts of distractions. This lens performed flawlessly and autofocused fast and correct almost all the time.
When using this lens in a regular light situation - it could be useful to put a neutral density filter on it... and shoot it wide open for the most beautiful bokeh that the canon line has to offer.
Upsides: sharp, great colors, amazing bokeh downsides: heavy, expensive, and not a zoom.
