No doubt, Canon's RF lenses are some of the best on the market, with their 85mm f/1.2L sitting near the top in terms of image quality. However, that lens comes in two options, and you might be wondering which version is right for you, the DS or non-DS version. This excellent video review shows the differences between the two to help you decide which is right for you.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost Photography, this great video comparison takes a look at the differences between the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM and RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS lenses. Both are fantastic lenses, but the DS version (defocus smoothing) includes an apodization element. This is a graduated ND filter that increases in intensity with increasing radius, normally by about 1.5 to 2 stops by the edge of the frame. This has the effect of creating particularly smooth bokeh at wider apertures, especially with point light sources. The downside to such a lens is reduced transmittance at wider apertures. This means that while the lens might behave an f/1.2 lens with regards to depth of field, it will behave more like an f/2.5 (T2.5) lens when it comes to light transmittance, forcing you to use slower shutter speeds or higher ISO values. Still, they are very neat lenses, especially for anyone who loves bokeh. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
