Few lenses are more famous than the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, renowned for its extreme design and insane bokeh, making it a favorite of numerous portrait and wedding photographers for many years. Now available on the used market for about the same price as the far newer RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, you might wonder which is right for you. This great video comparison will help you decide.
Coming to you from Gordon Laing takes a look at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lens and how it compares to the iconic EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. The EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM was beloved, and it does have a direct mirrorless analog in the RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM, but at almost $3,000, that is far more than many photographers are ready or willing to spend. If Canon users want a modern RF lens, though, there is the 85mm f/2 Macro, and of course, with that 1:2 maximum magnification ratio, it looks like a particularly versatile lens, especially for wedding shooters. If you are really after that crazy bokeh, though, a used 85mm f/1.2 remains a great option (I still have mine), especially considering how flawlessly EF lenses work with an adapter. Check out the video above for Laing's full thoughts on both lenses.
3 Comments
Not even a contest, the 85mm f/1.2 II!!!!! I have owned this lens for years and shot so many portraits, weddings and events with it. Even paparazzi.
That aperture cannot be understated and losing more than a stop of bokeh is very significant.
The 85mm f/1.2 along with the other EF primes were abesolutely class leading back in the 2000's. Nobody and I mean nobody could compete with Canon at that time for fast primes. Everyone else was like 10/20 years behind.
Today now there are some amazing options by Nikon, Sony and Sigma. But back then, it was the only way to go if you were a serious wedding and portrait photographer and wanted the best and fastest glass. And the 50mm, 85mm and to a somewhat lesser extent the 135mm. Were the ones to have for portrait work and still are great lenses and a great value used.
I would not let go any of our EF glass for another good while and especially the 85/1.2 ii and 50/1.2 as the price of RF models are not worth the upgrade . All of our EF prime lenses ( 24/1.4 ii, 35/1.4, 50/1.2, 85/1.2 ii, 100/2.8 IS macro, 135/2.0 and 200/2.8 ii ) came in for €5000. I am more the sure that RF 85/1.2 and 50/1.2 will be same price for those 2 lenses together. Yet I can use Canon adapter EF to R with variable drop in ND filter for video and long exposures where as in for adapter it makes switching lenses really easy compare to switching lenses with ND filter mounted on the top of the lens front element .
I own most of what you got. And I agree they are still fantastic lenses and represent amazing value compared to RF stuff.
But my photographer friend who helps me shoot weddings has the RF 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm. I can say without reservation they are the most stunning bits of glass in their class I have ever used!!!! I never would have thought glass would ever get this good.
The AF speed, the bokeh, the sharpness, the contrast, flair (A weakness of the 85mm) and just everything about it is just stunning. Abesolutely justifies the price. But you got to be making good money with your photography to be able to afford it.
It is more of it is somehting you can justify the expense for your use more than the lens not being worth the price. It Abesolutely is, it just a LOT of money to invest in the system.
Why I'm gonna stick with the EF for now, probably for the next 5 years minimum. They are still fine pieces of glass and I've used them for years.
A shot from EF 85mm.