Press Release:
MELVILLE, NY, May 8, 2019 – Continuing the company’s commitment to providing photographers with core focal-length 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 85mm F1.2 L USM standard prime lens. The fifth lens in the RF family, the RF 85mm lens provides another vital tool for photographers using the EOS R or EOS RP cameras, in particular, those shooting portrait photography.
Preorder: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM $2699
“Optics is at the core of Canon’s heritage. It is engrained in our DNA and the top priority when developing the EOS R Camera System around the RF mount and accompanying lenses,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon is very enthused to now bring the lenses we shared in the RF lens development announcement, starting with the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM. We envision this product as being the quintessential workhorse lens for portrait photographers of all skill levels.”
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.
Preorder: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM $2699
The most unique feature of the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is Canon’s proprietary optical technology, Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) Optics that helps to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations that could occur with large aperture lenses. The BR optical element, first introduced in the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, is inserted into the lens and refracts blue light between the concave and convex lenses. This enables the convergence of the entire wavelength of light to one point, resulting in higher image quality from the center to the edges of an image.
Additional Features of The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM 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 and one UD Lens, along with BR optics help to reduce chromatic aberration
- 12-pin communication system
- L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
- Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps minimize lens flare and ghosting
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is scheduled to be available June 2019 for an estimated retail price of $2699.00*.
Preorder:
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM $2699
No, I have the R and the Rf50 and that lens is perfect for the price. This new lens should be the same value. No way to put more 300$ on there.
just saying..
First time I recall them bragging about the “blue goo” since the 35 II.
I wonder if their lens design-to-build process is so long that only now is the materials technology making its way into products; which in some ways would be the optimistic interpretation, as it would suggest a lot more blue goo coming. And if it has anything to do with the 35’s sharpness, that’s a very good thing.
(Hopefully it’s not the reason for the extra $500, though ;)
I suppose it could be the best 85mm ever released, but man, that price tag.. > 3000 euro's over here in the Netherlands
It's surely soon that Canon announce a higher end camera that would pair more effectively with buyers who would spend $2699 on a lens. The RP and R are good cameras but I think when you are charging +$2000 for lens you need a high end camera to go with it if you want buyers. It will be interesting. I wonder if it was always Canon's intended strategy or are they behind on their camera masterplan. It's not that it won't work well on the RP or R but consumers in that price range are less likely to purchase a $2699 lens than someone who'd fork out $5000 on a 1DR without blinking. I'll hold onto my EF 85 mm 1.2 for another while - its still a brilliant if flawed lens
It also makes sense that an 85/1.2 is going to cost quite a bit more than a 50/1.2 lens. They are obviously planning to make some profit on these and it is up to the customers if they are going to shell out the cash or not or choose something else, there are three other 85mm primes just in Canon's EF range alone. Prices will inevitably start to drop after a while.
That is actually a pretty smart check. I find it's smart to do it with with new car prices as well (I follow a lot of auto websites).
It's an interesting strategy for Canon. Get all the pro lenses out there before any pro body, so when the pro body comes out, there will be a full lineup of lenses (I'm pulling for decent 1.8 IS models myself...). It's a tough chicken/egg debate. We'll see if this pays off for Canon in the long run.
From the many interviews Canon has given, it feels like they intended to have a very optically impressive lens lineup so that when they did come out with the pro version, there would be a full lens lineup. I'm a part timer myself, so I'm rooting for the more lower/midrange 1.4 to 1.8 IS models. Those would also make more sense with the current camera bodies, I think.
I was thinking the same thing! This lens has a big pricetag, aspecially if you keep in mind the price of the 85 1.4 IS USM L...