Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS Review (incredibly seductive bokeh, Photography Blog)

Canon RF 85mm F/1.2 DS Review

After the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L, Photography Blog also posted their Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS review. The “DS” is for Defocus Smoothing, a proprietary optical technology by Canon.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS is one of the boutique lenses for the Canon EOS R system, i.e. a lens that showcases what you can do with the new RF mount.

Photography Blog gave the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS a “Highly Recommended” rating and 5/5 stars. From their conclusion:

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS is the almost perfect lens for portrait photographers looking for that extra pizzazz in their images.

With its unique DS coating, the already enthralling bokeh produced by the standard, non-DS RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens becomes even softer and more dreamy, without sacrificing any of the outstanding sharpness that both lenses offer in spades.

The main trade-off for the buttery-smooth bokeh is the loss of light – effectively 1 1/3 stops darker when shooting at f/1.2 – which means that you’ll need to slow your shutter speed or bump up the ISO to compensate, neither of which are a great option.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS creates an incredibly seductive bokeh effect that’s hard to ignore once you’ve tasted it, though. It may be one of the most niche lenses that we’ve ever tested, and one of the most expensive, but it’s also one of the most distinctive…

Read the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS Review at Photography Blog

More Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS review stuff is listed here.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS key features and description:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
  • Defocus Smoothing Coating for Soft Bokeh
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element
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Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L Review (exemplary performance, DPReview)

Canon RF 85mm F/1.2L Review

DPReview posted their Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L review. The RF 85mm f/1.2L is one of the so called “boutique lenses” for the EOS R full frame mirrorless camera system, which means it is expensive.

From their conclusion:

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM is about as removed as it could be from the sea of small, light mirrorless lenses we’ve seen in recent years, whose handful of optical foibles are intended from the outset to be masked by in-camera corrections. It’s unashamedly big, weighty and pricey, and those photographers prepared to tolerate this will be rewarded with exemplary performance.

There’s little to grumble with its build quality, and the stated weather resistance is reassuring. Focusing speeds are impressive – albeit not class-leading – for a lens this substantial. While the motor itself isn’t the quietest – and consequently not really suitable for use during video recording – speed and accuracy is arguably more important here than discretion. Manual focus users may prefer a more tactile focusing ring, but the process of manually focusing itself is positive, particularly once you adjust the focusing ring’s response and call on the various in-camera focusing aids.

[…] minor frustrations aside, this lens shines brightly. Very brightly. Sharpness is superb wide-open, and this continues to be the case as you close down the aperture.

Read the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L review at DPReview

More Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L review stuff is listed here, and you won’t find a review that’s not praising this lens.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L key features and description:

  • Focal length: 85mm
  • Aperture range: F1.2-16 (1/3 EV stops)
  • Filter thread: 82mm
  • Close focus: 0.85m (2.79 ft.)
  • Maximum magnification: 0.12x
  • Diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
  • Hood: ET-89 round-shaped hood (supplied)
  • Length / Diameter: approx. 103.2 x 117.3 (4.06 in. x 4.62in)
  • Weight: approx. 1,195g (approx. 2.63lbs)
  • Optical construction: 13 elements in nine groups
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Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS Review – Next Level Wow Bokeh

Canon RF 85mm F/1.2 DS Review

Here is a Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS review by YouTuber Artaius.

If you wonder what the “DS” stands for it’s for “Defocus Smoothing“, an optical technology exclusive to Canon. As you might already have figured out, Defocus Smoothing is about blurring out the background, getting a nice bokeh effect, and everything creative you can do with out-of-focus items. Another boutique lens for the Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system.

Says Artaius:

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS (Defocus Smoothing) is the closest Canon will ever get to making a Lensbaby lens – its bokeh is just next-level wow. The question is, will it replace the standard RF 85mm f/1.2 as my favorite lens for the Canon EOS R? I put them through some side-by-side shooting comparisons to show you exactly how unique the bokeh is on this lens, and to help you decide whether it’s worth that 3K price tag. If you want to know the difference between the two lenses, this Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS review is for you!

And here is the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS review video:

Unfortunately this optical marvel is not an inexpensive lens: it sells for $3,000.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

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Deal: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens – $959 (reg. $1199, expires today)

Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM ART

Authorised Sigma retailer Adorama has a hot deal on the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens for Canon mounts.

Get the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens on sale at $959. Compare at $1,199. Expires today (12/9/2019). Free shipping.

Authorised Canon retailer B&H Photo has discounted EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 6D Mark II bundles on offer for the holidays.

More hand-picked deals are listed here.

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Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS Officially Announced

Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS

Known to come since long, here is the official announcement of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS lenses for the Canon EOS R system.

The RF 85mm f/1.2L DS features a new optical technology named Defocus Smoothing, see here how it works.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS lenses are scheduled to be available late November 2019 and December 2019, respectively for an estimated retail price of $2,699 and $2,999 respectively. Preorders are open:

Canon press release:

The RF Family Grows By Two: Canon RF 70-200MM F2.8L IS USM Lens Is The World’s Shortest And Lightest Lens In Its Class And RF 85MM F1.2L USM DS Is The First Lens To Feature Defocus Smoothing

New RF L-Series Lenses Aim to Provide Impeccable Performance, Handling and Unique Features to Photographers Shooting with EOS R and EOS RP Cameras

MELVILLE, NY, October 24, 2019 – Completing the “trinity” of RF lenses for the EOS R Full-Frame mirrorless camera system, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM telephoto lens. Additionally, the company also announced its first lens to feature Defocus Smoothing lens coating, the Canon RF 85 F1.2L DS. The ninth and tenth lenses in the RF family are both powerful tools for photographers using the EOS R or EOS RP cameras, in particular, those shooting sports or wildlife photography with the RF 70-200mm F2.8L or portrait photography with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS. 

Short and Light With All The Might: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

The new lens features a large and bright f/2.8 aperture, which, along with the 70-200mm focal zoom ranges, presents an ideal workhorse lens for professional and amateur photographers shooting sports, wildlife, wedding and event action. The new RF lens is 27 percent shorter and 28 percent lighter than its EF counterparti with a large portion of the lens element arrangement closer to the camera body. This arrangement is designed to provide photographers with a more balanced feel and experience even at telephoto end of the zoom range. Additionally, the shorter and lighter design allows the lens to be more easily stowed away in a camera bag when not in-use.

A first for Canon lenses, the new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features two Nano USM motors providing an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting and quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control, another Canon first, that drives the two lens groups individually while using the two aforementioned Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens focusing distance and help reduce breathing, providing users with fast, consistent and reliable performance. 

Additional Features of The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Include: 

  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 17 lens elements in 13 groups including two aspherical lenses, one super UD lens and four UD lenses, that help to reduce chromatic aberration
  • CIPA standard five stops of image stabilization (IS) including three IS modes with dual-sensing and combination IS
  • 12-pin communication system
  • L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
  • Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) helps minimize lens flare and ghosting

Teaching an Old Dog a New Trick: Canon 85mm F1.2L USM DS

Canon has a rich history spanning over 40 years of producing 85mm lenses with f/1.2 apertures, and the new Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS is no different, or is it? The lens ushers in a new lens coating from Canon, Defocus Smoothingii, designed to enhance the appearance of bokeh in the images captured with the lens. DS coating is a vapor-deposited coating technology that is applied to the front and rear surfaces of a specific lens element inside the lens. The coating allows off-axis flux to pass through the periphery of the lens that gradually decreases the transmittance of light, which results in images with beautifully blurred backgrounds. 

In addition, the new lens features a bright f/1.2 aperture which, along with the 85mm focal length, encompasses an ideal lens for portrait photographers. 85mm is often the preferred focal length selected by photographers when shooting portraits because it provides an appropriate depth and perspective of the subject relative to the background, helping to capture high-quality imagery with beautiful and desirable bokeh. The focal length also allows for the photographer and subject to maintain optimum distance apart to support strong communication, while not being too close.

Additional Features of The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS Include:

  • Minimum focusing distance of 2.79 feet/0.85 meters
  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • One Aspheric lens and one UD Lens, along with BR optics that help to reduce chromatic aberration
  • 12-pin communication system
  • L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
  • Air Sphere Coating (ASC) that helps minimize lens flare and ghosting
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Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and RF 85mm f/1.2 DS Ship In November And December, Respectively

Canon RF 70-200mm

The upcoming Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS lenses will start shipping soon after the announcement.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 will start shipping November 21, 2019, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 DS in December 2019, according to Nokishita.

Both lenses are expected to be announced this week, or not later than next week. Specifications and images have already leaked.

RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

  • Lens construction: 17 elements in 13 groups
  • Minimum focusing distance: 0.7m
  • Maximum shooting magnification: 0.23 times
  • Number of diaphragm blades: 9
  • Filter diameter: 77mm
  • Size: φ89.9mm × 146mm
  • Weight: 1070g (excluding tripod seat)
  • Camera shake correction effect: 5 steps

RF 85mm f/1.2L DS

  • Lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups
  • Minimum focusing distance: 0.85m
  • Maximum shooting magnification: 0.12 times
  • Number of diaphragm blades: 9
  • Filter diameter: 82mm
  • Size: φ103.2mmx117.3mm
  • Weight: 1195g

Stay tuned.