Is the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 Lens Worth The Money?

When it comes to lenses, there are a ton of choices out there. Is the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 lens worth the money? See how the same portrait looks at F1.2, F5.6 and F11.

Equipment Used:

Team:

Photographer: Sal Cincotta 
Model: Anna May

Things to consider if you're looking
at an F1.2 lens

At over $2,600, you might be wondering if the Canon 85mm F1.2 lens is worth it, when you can get an F1.4 or F1.8 lens for $1000 less. Here’s where you might need the extra half stop.

Low light conditions

If you’re a wedding or indoor photographer, that extra half stop will be worth it for low light situations. Think dark churches or rooms. With the extra half stop, you get the ability to pull back on ISO and get less noise in your images. 
 

Studio Work

If you’re a studio or fashion photographer, or even just someone who prefers the look of images at a high F Stop, I don’t think you need this lens. The real point of a 1.2, 1.4 or 1.8 is to get a shallow depth of field and bokeh effect, so if you’re not going to shoot at those F Stops, why are you getting this lens? 🙂 

Comparison at F1.2, F5.6 and F11

Settings: f/1.2 @ 1/2,500, ISO 50
Settings: f/5.6 @ 1/1,000, ISO 400
Settings: f/11 @ 1/200, ISO 400
Settings: f/1.2 @ 1/4,000, ISO 50
Settings: f/5.6 @ 1/800, ISO 200
Settings: f/11 @ 1/200, ISO 200
Settings: f/1.2 @ 1/4,000, ISO 50
Settings: f/5.6 @ 1/200, ISO 50
Settings: f/11 @ 1/160, ISO 160

More final images

Settings: f/1.2 @ 1/4,000, ISO 50
Settings: f/1.2 @ 1/6,400, ISO 100

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Brad Bower

    This lens is amazing. I find it worth every penny. Sharpest L lens I have ever owned.

  2. Samantha

    Your comparison of the lens to similar options on the market really sheds light on the value of this particular lens. I appreciate the attention to detail and the thoughtful consideration given to factors such as build quality, image quality, and price. You definitely made me consider adding the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 to my kit. Thank you for the valuable insights!

  3. Martin Belmont Photography

    Great review. But the price for this thing is too high. I wil stick with my belowed EF 85 1.4.
    Martin Belmont photography

Leave a Reply

Want more content like this?

Check out our recent posts

yt thumbnail lightingsetupsforhighschoolseniors

Quick and Easy Lighting Setups for High School Seniors

Lighting doesn’t have to be complicated when it comes to your photography lighting set-ups. In this video, we show you some easy ways to get beautiful portrait lighting in a quick and easy way.

This studio lighting tutorial is perfect for beginning photographers and advanced photographers as well.

Read More »
yt thumbnail octaboxvsbeautydish

Octabox VS. Beauty Dish // Which is better?

These two completely different lighting modifiers will deliver completely different results with the same exact set up.

In this lighting tutorial, we showcase the difference in the two different lighting options. both portrait images look amazing, but I think creatives will like one over the other.

Which do you like the best?

One is softer and the other more specular.

In this video, we used the Westcott FJ200 and their octabox and beauty dish offering.

Read More »