Canon’s Most Jaw-Dropping RF Lenses Ranked

The Canon RF lens lineup has reached a point where the choices feel endless. But when you’re trying to build a kit that goes beyond “good enough,” knowing which lenses truly rise above the rest can save a lot of time and regret.

Coming to you from James Reader, this sharp video highlights five Canon RF lenses that stand out as the best money can buy. Reader opens with the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2, a lens that’s almost mythical among portrait shooters. It’s heavy, expensive, and not exactly discreet, but the look it creates is in a class of its own. At f/1.2, it’s tack sharp across the frame, with warm tones and color rendering that make skin look alive. It’s cinematic, giving your subject that distinctive pop against the background that makes a portrait jump off the screen. Reader admits the autofocus isn’t the fastest, but when a lens performs like this, you forgive a lot. It’s the kind of glass that spoils you for everything else.

The next lens, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2, changes the game for zooms. Reader calls it a “zoom that thinks it’s a prime,” and that’s exactly right. It’s huge and costly, but it covers a perfect range, from 28mm for wide shots to 70mm for tighter portraits, all while maintaining an f/2 aperture the whole way. The result is prime-like separation, contrast, and color in a single lens. It’s a workhorse for weddings and events, giving you the flexibility to adapt quickly without sacrificing that polished, high-end look. Reader points out that it’s popular among professionals for a reason: it delivers an unmatched blend of versatility and aesthetic character.

Then comes the lens Reader admits is his personal favorite: the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2. He calls it his “desert island lens,” and it’s easy to see why. The rendering is stunning, with a bit of imperfection that adds depth and emotion to the image. It’s not sterile or overly corrected; it has personality. That makes it perfect for portraits, events, and everyday storytelling, basically any time you want your images to feel organic rather than technical. Reader’s description captures what makes this 50mm special: it’s not the most flawless lens, but it’s one of the few that makes imperfection beautiful.

The video also features both versions of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8, lenses that redefine what a telephoto can be. The original is smaller and more travel-friendly than most of its kind, while the newer “Z” version is a technical marvel with faster autofocus, flawless sharpness, and internal zoom. Reader praises both, explaining how each suits different needs: one for portability, the other for pure performance.

Finally, Reader closes with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 Z, a lens so capable it could replace two others in your bag. He calls it the “one-lens solution” for those who want everything: sharpness, stabilization, and versatility for both photo and video. It’s heavy and expensive, but the results are breathtaking. The stabilization is especially impressive, giving handheld video a smooth, cinematic quality that makes it look like it was shot on a gimbal. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Reader.