Video summary

BEST Canon RF 85mm: f1.2 vs f1.4 vs f2 compared plus EF 1.4L!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

A comparison of four Canon 85mm lenses for Canon EOS R mirrorless (RF mount), plus one older adapted EF lens:

  • RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM (2020) ~ $650/£
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM (2025) ~ $1,650/£
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS (defocus smoothing version) (2019) ~ $3,000/£
    • DS costs extra vs non-DS
  • EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (2017, adapted) ~ $1,700/£ new / ~half price used

Testing was done largely on an EOS R6 Mark II, focusing on:

  • Sharpness/optics
  • Background rendering/bokeh
  • Close-focus macro-like reproduction
  • Focusing behavior (speed, smoothness, noise, breathing)

Key features highlighted (by model)

1) RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM (most affordable)

  • Optical image stabilization (IS)
  • Macro-like close focus with 1:2 / 50% reproduction (best reproduction measured)
  • Two rings: manual focus + customizable control ring
  • Three switches including IS on/off and a focusing-range limiter
  • No weather sealing and no hood
  • Filter thread: 67mm
  • Focusing behavior: slower than the others; audible motors

2) RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM (new flagship “hybrid” option)

  • L-series, includes hood + weather sealing
  • Has an aperture ring (non-clicky)
  • VCM autofocus that’s fast and essentially silent
  • No optical stabilization
  • Smooth focusing and excellent video performance vs others (especially quiet operation)
  • Filter thread: 67mm
  • Measured focusing/optics performance emphasized as broadly top-tier

3) RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS (largest/heaviest, special rendering)

  • L-series, includes hood + weather sealing
  • Defocus Smoothing (DS) coating/version: softer-edged bokeh at f/1.2 and f/1.4
  • Very large and heavy
  • No optical stabilization
  • T-stop quoted: T2.2 on the DS version (exposure behavior differs at wide open)
  • Focusing behavior: slowest and noisiest focusing motors (audible even in built-in mic recordings)

4) EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (older adapted option)

  • Optical IS works (via the EF lens)
  • Weather sealed + hood (as an L-series lens)
  • Adapted to RF; no RF control ring
  • Manual focusing system is mechanically linked to distance markings (no on-screen digital scale like RF lenses)
  • Video AF: not designed primarily for video, but still performs well enough, with faint motor chatter audible on built-in mics

Performance results & user experience (main findings)

Autofocus speed (photo-focused speed test)

  • RF 85mm f/2: ~just under 1/2 second
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: almost instant (fastest)
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: just over 1/2 second (slowest)
  • EF 85mm f/1.4L adapted: just under 1/3 second (very quick for older lens)

Video focus pull smoothness + quietness (built-in mics test)

  • RF 85mm f/2: focus pulls ~2 seconds, smooth but leisurely; not picked up by built-in mics in that specific test
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: just over 1 second, essentially silent, preferred for quiet/hybrid shooting
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: ~just over 1 second but most audible—motor sound clearly picked up by built-in mics
    • Recommendation implied: use off-camera mic if audio matters
  • EF 85mm f/1.4L: ~just over 1 second, barely audible in that environment; still some faint chatter

Focus breathing (video concern)

  • RF 85mm f/2: most visible breathing (field of view reduces significantly)
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: breathing present but much less severe than f/2
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: breathing visible, more than 1.4L, but less than f/2
  • EF 85mm f/1.4L: similar to f/1.2 (better than f/2, worse than RF 1.4L VCM)

Coverage / field of view differences (with lens profiles)

With default camera profiles applied:

  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM, RF 85mm f/2, and EF 85mm f/1.4L: very close coverage
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: slightly tighter field of view, appearing closer to ~90–95mm in effect (only “outlier”)

Geometry correction needs were generally low for all lenses.

Corner sharpness / optical performance trends (distant real-life subject)

  • RF 85mm f/2 needs more stopping down for sharp corners:
    • even at F2 it trails in extremes
    • it takes to about F8 for better corner crispness
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: stronger corner performance at wide apertures; stays ahead as comparisons progress
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS:
    • appears crisper than 1.4L in the corners in this test (though vignetting is stronger at f/1.2)
    • vignetting is present at wide open; the DS lens looks sharper partly alongside vignette behavior

Portrait rendering / bokeh character

  • RF 85mm f/2 vs RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM
    • extra stop on 1.4L gives shallower depth of field and softer bokeh
    • F2 looks tad sharper initially, attributed to more subject/eye area being in focus due to deeper DoF
  • RF 85mm f/1.2L DS vs non-DS expectations
    • DS version produces much less defined background, especially at f/1.2–f/1.4
    • as the aperture closes, DS effect diminishes; beyond ~f/2 it looks more defined
    • described as crispest of the four in pixel-peeping (e.g., eyelashes/eyelid details)
  • RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM vs EF 85mm f/1.4L
    • EF bokeh blobs slightly larger / viewpoint differences
    • RF version has higher contrast/sharpness, especially visible in iris detail
    • EF breathing more noticeable during close-range tests

Bokeh “ball test” (rendering style)

  • At maximum aperture:
    • f/2 and f/1.4: similar blob style with minimal outlining/textures
    • f/1.2 DS: distinct look—soft outlines around blobs at f/1.2–f/1.4 due to DS
  • Across apertures:
    • DS softness largely fades from ~f/2 onwards
    • both 1.4 lenses avoid harsh diaphragm-shaped patterns at many apertures

Closest-focus / reproduction measurement (ruler test at F8)

Closest reproduction across the frame measured at F8:

  1. RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: 70 mm across frame (best reproduction, “almost four times better” than others)
  2. RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: 262 mm
  3. EF 85mm f/1.4L USM (adapted): 272 mm
  4. RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: 276 mm

Conclusion:

  • The f/2 macro lens is clearly the best for close work, consistent with its 1:2 / 50% reproduction claim.

Pros & cons (unique points mentioned)

RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM

Pros

  • Excellent value for sharpness (“punches above its weight”)
  • Optical IS
  • Strong close-up capability (1:2 / 50% reproduction, best measured)
  • Can still blur backgrounds substantially despite f/2
  • Better for budget EOS R owners wanting macro-like results

Cons

  • No hood, no weather sealing
  • Focusing is slower and motors are audible
  • Most visible focus breathing (video caveat)

RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM

Pros

  • Sharp across frame wide open
  • Attractive rendering with minimal artifacts in portraits
  • Fast autofocus that is essentially silent (best audio/video experience)
  • Weather sealed with hood; hybrid friendly
  • Aperture ring (not clicky)
  • Smaller/lighter than the 1.2L

Cons

  • No optical stabilization
  • Not as close to the f/1.2L’s “crispest/cosmetic” performance at extremes (mild differences)
  • Not the best for close reproduction (far behind f/2)

RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS

Pros

  • Crispiest details in the pixel-peeping portrait/corner tests
  • Background can be extremely obliterated
  • Geometry/correction very well behaved (outlier not major)
  • Unique DS bokeh rendering at wide open

Cons

  • Very large, heavy, and expensive
  • Slowest autofocus and noisiest focusing motors
  • Most noticeable focus breathing among the higher-end options
  • DS coating reduces transmission at max aperture (DS behavior; T-stop T2.2)
  • DS look is a personal preference; some may dislike it

EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (adapted)

Pros

  • Optical IS (big advantage vs the RF 1.4L and 1.2L)
  • Performs surprisingly well in tests, including close competition for optical quality
  • Faster than the RF 1.2L in speed test
  • Often available used at much lower prices (~half retail of new RF equivalents)

Cons

  • Focusing system differs (mechanically linked manual focus markings; no RF-style digital scale/assist)
  • Built for photography; video AF can still have faint chatter via built-in mics
  • Breathing/close-range behavior not as controlled as RF 1.4L VCM

Comparisons and purchasing guidance (as stated)

  • Lenses generally cost in a step pattern for RF 85s (roughly doubling at each price tier).
  • The EF 85mm f/1.4L can be a compelling value when found used (sometimes ~half the price of new RF 1.4L VCM).
  • Best-by-category implied choices:
    • Best close/reproduction: RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM (70mm ruler result)
    • Best hybrid/video focusing + silence: RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM
    • Best ultimate image quality + background obliteration (but heavy/price/noise): RF 85mm f/1.2L DS
    • Best used deal with IS and good optical performance: adapted EF 85mm f/1.4L

Overall verdict / recommendation

  • Best all-around (especially hybrid/video): RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM
    • fast, essentially silent, sharp across the frame, strongest practical focus behavior for quiet use.
  • Best close-work and value: RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
    • best measured reproduction, with optical IS, but weaker for video breathing and less “premium” build.
  • Most extreme rendering/crispness (accept size/price and noisy AF): RF 85mm f/1.2L DS
    • distinctive DS bokeh look, but polarizing.
  • Budget + strong optical quality (if the used price is right): adapted EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
    • optical IS and near-top performance, but less refined for breathing/audio-video compared to RF 1.4L VCM.

Speakers / viewpoints

  • Gordon (Camera Labs) provides the entire review and test results, covering design, autofocus/video behavior, breathing, sharpness/coverage, portrait/bokeh rendering, and close-focus reproduction.

Original video