Canon Prepares to Take On the Sigma 85mm Art: Specifications Emerge for the 85mm f/1.4L IS

Canon Prepares to Take On the Sigma 85mm Art: Specifications Emerge for the 85mm f/1.4L IS

It's becoming increasingly apparent that Canon will be announcing an 85mm f/1.4L lens with image stabilization fairly soon, and as the time draws nigh, more detailed specifications are beginning to emerge. The lens is sure to be a hit and a major competitor to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art.

The awesome people over at Canon Rumors have received more detailed specifications on the upcoming 85mm f/1.4L IS lens. This lens is not meant to replace, but rather complement the 85mm f/1.2L II, which will make a difficult choice for portrait photographers, as many view a wide-aperture 85mm lens with image stabilization as the holy grail. Nonetheless, Sigma has made major strides in recent years, and their 85mm f/1.4 Art lens is highly regarded, particularly for its wide-open sharpness. It looks like Canon photographers are going to have a surplus of capable 85mm optionss. Highlights of the upcoming lens include:

  • Four-stop image stabilization
  • Nine aperture blades
  • Fluorine coating 
  • Lighter than the 85mm f/1.2L II, but longer and with a larger filter size

An exact announcement date and pricing information have not yet been determined. Head over to Canon Rumors to see the full list of specifications.

[via Canon Rumors]

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Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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16 Comments

It is obvious that Canon has stopped being a leader in technology. They are constantly lagging behind the competition.

You might argue that about cameras (which might not be at the forefront of technology - but are robust and work really well). They are excellent with lens. The have the best range of all. I could never fault their lens. I even like my 85 1.2 which while not the easiest lens to use creates beautiful photograph. Canon is a very smart and well run company.

Hmm, Canon has released DPAF for video, BR for lenses, DO (which no other company has copied), the 11-24L, 200-400 TC, the ME20F-SH which already has been used for documentaries.Some notable advancements in features available and that's off the top of my head.

Yes, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Sony et al, but they're workhorse cameras that does it's job admirably well for thousands of photographers especially the pro bodies.

The introduction of two new cameras without decent 4k in 2017. One of which has lower DR and IQ. That is ridiculous.

Both the Canon 5D III and the 6D was 'inferior' to the competition, yet they was two of the best selling dSLRs around the world. The 6D was a surprise hit even for Canon.

Just proves either people are stupid or the ranting of fanatics about superior DR has no bearing on the real word. Which one is it? Oh and there is no true hybrid '4k' camera, they are all have compromises you just pick your poison as to what's acceptable. Canon choose to prioritise stills over video which is what the pro market wanted and then released dSLR like 4k cameras to compliment them (both lines use distinctly different DIGIC processors).

That is not true.The mk3 was a revolution because it could record video in a far better quality than most of its competitors and as such it was bought in great heaps. At that time, the 6d was a reasonably cheap possibility to enter the FF market.

I was really surprised when Sigma didn't put OS in their new 135mm and 85mm lenses. I thought that was an obvious mistake that they may run into issues with. If the new Canon matches the ART optics and only a minor increase in cost I think this lens will be a big hit.

However, if it optically struggles compared to the Sigma or if the price is extremely high then I think that it will be quickly forgotten as just another lens that is only bought by brand purists.

Mistake is that canon and nikon don't have IBIS. With IBIS you should have higher quality and/or lighter lenses.

IBIS is great for many lenses, especially wide angle and medium telephoto where it falls short is when you get into longer telephoto glass. IBIS is also good for reducing lens weight. However with Canon's glass they optimise the IS for each lens to give better stability, something you can't do with IBIS as it's a generic catch all. Another advantage for IS is better for low-light work as it can help the camera's AF/AE.

The 85 and 135 from Sigma are already enormous. Adding stabilization would have increased the size and weight even more.

I think it will be a very expensive lens considering the price point of the 1.2 without IS. That alone will keep the Sigma 85 at the forefront of being the most popular 85mm on the market.

I am certainly hoping for a "minor increase in cost" but I seriously doubt it. Canon has increased the price significantly for their newest lenses over their predecessors. A 85mm f1.4 matching Sigmas Art Version in Quality plus offering IS will most certainly be significantly more expensive. I think it's more realistic to see a price drop for the existing 85 f 1.2L II.

The Canon 85 1.4 may be better than the sigma especially if it has IS . However , that sucker is not going to be cheap by any means .

I switched to Sony from Canon 2 years ago. Sony does have the sensors. But make no mistake, Canon has the glass. I love my Sony/Ziess glass, but also love my L lenses with the Sony. Let's say Sony's camera body business goes belly up..( which it won't )....Sony still has leading edge sensor technology. Same for Canon. If their bodies go belly up...( again, they won't either)...Canon can still be the world class lens maker.

I agree about Canon lenses - every one of their lenses that I own is superb. I also shoot Fujifilm, and every one of their lenses are as good if not better than Canon. But I won't be selling my Canon lenses anytime soon, they are just too good.

No use selling lenses that has what you need covered. I actually think Fuji is becoming a major player in the pro world. I'm thinking of renting the medium format camera for a week just to try out.