Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Review: A Closer Look at Canon's Impressive Lens

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Review

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The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is a high-performance lens designed for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. It boasts a unique Defocus Smoothing (DS) technology, which creates a beautifully blurred bokeh effect and enhances the overall image quality. This lens is ideal for portrait photographers, offering a versatile focal length and an incredibly wide maximum aperture. In this article, we will explore the key features of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens and discuss its pros and cons.

Key Features of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens

  1. Defocus Smoothing Technology: The standout feature of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is its Defocus Smoothing (DS) technology. This innovative feature creates a unique bokeh effect by softening the out-of-focus areas, resulting in a dreamy and ethereal look. The DS coating applied to the lens elements helps to reduce flare and ghosting, ensuring sharpness and clarity in the focused areas.

  2. Exceptional Image Quality: With its wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, this lens allows for stunning low-light performance and excellent depth of field control. The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens delivers exceptional image quality with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration, thanks to its advanced optics and lens elements. The lens produces tack-sharp images with beautiful color rendition and incredible detail.

  3. Fast and Accurate Autofocus: The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens features a high-speed and near-silent Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for quick and precise autofocus. With its Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, this lens provides smooth and accurate focus tracking, making it ideal for capturing moving subjects. The focus ring on the lens allows for manual focus adjustments, providing additional control for photographers who prefer a more hands-on approach.

Pros and Cons of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens

Pros:

  1. Bokeh and Defocus Smoothing: The DS technology in the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens produces an incredibly smooth and pleasing bokeh effect, making it perfect for portrait photography. The soft background blur adds a dreamy and romantic feel to images, enhancing the subject’s visual impact.

  2. Exceptional Low-Light Performance: With its wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, this lens allows for superb low-light performance, enabling photographers to capture stunning images even in challenging lighting situations. The large aperture also provides excellent depth of field control, allowing for creative and artistic effects.

  3. Build Quality and Handling: The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is built to withstand professional use, with a robust and durable construction. The lens features weather sealing, protecting it from dust and moisture, making it suitable for outdoor shooting. The focus ring is smooth and precise, offering a comfortable manual focus experience.

Cons:

  1. Size and Weight: The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is a large and heavy lens, weighing approximately 2.63 pounds (1.19 kg). It may not be the best choice for photographers who prefer a lightweight and compact setup, especially for extended handheld shooting.

  2. Price: As a premium and specialized lens, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS comes with a higher price tag compared to other lenses in its class. While it offers exceptional image quality and unique features, the cost may be a limiting factor for some photographers.

  3. Limited Focal Length: While the 85mm focal length is perfect for portraits, it may not be as versatile for other photography genres. Some photographers may prefer a zoom lens that covers a wider focal range for more flexibility in various shooting situations.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is a top-tier lens that offers exceptional image quality, stunning bokeh, and precise autofocus. Its Defocus Smoothing technology sets it apart, providing a unique look to portraits and other subjects. While the lens may be large, heavy, and expensive, it delivers outstanding performance for professional photographers who prioritize image quality and artistic rendering. If you’re in the market for a lens that excels at portraiture and offers remarkable bokeh effects, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens is definitely worth considering.