Is Canon's RF 85mm f/1.2L Lens Really Worth Four Times the Price of the RF 85mm f/2?

Canon's 85mm f/1.2 lenses have long been some of its most highly lauded and impressive optics, but along with that extreme design comes a high price tag. But Canon offers a much more affordable 85mm f/2 lens for its mirrorless cameras alongside the famous f/1.2, and that lens is only a quarter the price of its more extreme cousin. Is the f/1.2 worth that extra price? This great video compares the two to help you decide. 

Coming to you from Alex Barrera, this excellent video comparison takes a look at the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM and RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lenses. No doubt, the RF 85mm f/1.2L is a superlative lens that produces images that are truly hard to match, but on the other side of the coin, its price flirts with the $3,000 mark. On the other hand, the 85mm f/2 lens still features a reasonably wide maximum aperture and comes in at just $599, plus you get the benefits of 1:2 macro capabilities. And of course, the f/2 lens is far lighter and smaller than the f/1.2, which can be a real plus if you need to hold the lens for long periods of time. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Barrera. 

Alex Cooke's picture

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.

Log in or register to post comments
1 Comment

You do have a 3rd option:
Canon EF 85mm 1.4 L IS + drop in filter adapter for about $2K. To me it is the best of both worlds.