Canon Officially Announces the Canon RF 85mm f/1.4 VCM

[Richard CR]

Today, Canon has announced the RF 85mm F1.4 VCM, the latest addition to its line of VCM (voice coil motor) autofocus lenses. Canon explained their VCM motors as a simple type of electric motor that utilises magnets surrounding a coil of wire. These types of motors are more efficient at moving heavier objects, and the […]

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[Canon Rumors]

I looked forward to the 50 1.4, which I love. This has me more excited, no idea why. I use 85 less often.

 

[Maximilian]

First German price (www.fotokoch.de):

1.749,- € for RF 85mm f/1,4 L VCM (incl. VAT)

I looked forward to the 50 1.4, which I love. This has me more excited, no idea why. I use 85 less often.

I sure want to test it. 85 to 100 is my main portrait range for FF. Maybe you feel the same...

I'm still in love with my father's vintage FD 100/2.0.
Pity, that it was stolen from my brother years ago...

 

[CharlesB]

I have some silly questions. I had an Sigma 85mm art that I sold a long time ago, so now I don't have an 85mm (not counting a 70-200mm).

I've really wanted to get into video more and I think an 85mm is a great range for it. As far as optical quality and performance, are the 85mm 1.2 & 85mm 1.4 VCM similar?

I'm sure a few people really need that 1.2 but I'm not sure I would, especially for video. That being said, I'd still want a good portrait/photography lens. The pricing on the VCM actually seems really good to me at the moment.

It may be too early to ask but I'm just curious how the two lenses compare with optical quality and speed. Not sure if there's MTF charts out or something that would help. From my understanding, the 85mm 1.2 is virtually flawless, one of the best lenses ever created by Canon. So I don't know if getting the 85 1.4 VCM would leave me with a nagging feeling like I should have gotten the 1.2. The 1.2 costs a lot more but I'm sure I could find a used, nearly mint one for quite a bit cheaper.

Any thoughts on quality and performance of the new VCM compared to the "old" 1.2?

 

[Canon Rumors]

First German price (www.fotokoch.de):

1.749,- € for RF 85mm f/1,4 L VCM (incl. VAT)


I sure want to test it. 85 to 100 is my main portrait range for FF. Maybe you feel the same...

I'm still in love with my father's vintage FD 100/2.0.
Pity, that it was stolen from my brother years ago...

I ordered from Foto Koch! Nice people.

I use the Leica R 135mm f/2.8. Found one for $300 CAD at a garage sale.

 

[Maximilian]

I ordered from Foto Koch! Nice people.

Do they ship to CAN? Or are you in Germany/Europe right now? (at the time of delivery)

 

[Maximilian]

Any thoughts on quality and performance of the new VCM compared to the "old" 1.2?

Of course, you'll have to wait for some RL and hands on reviews for specific statements.
Some think they can interpret everything out of MTFs.

For sure, it's lighter, smaller and cheaper than the f/1.2. If less glass has to be moved, the VCM AF should also be faster.
I suppose f/1.4 is optically easier to control than f/1.2. But I am not sure how much effort Canon did put in this specific optical formula.
For sure, it will be (very) good. Will it become a legend? I don't care. I'm looking for tools. This could be a real good one.
I hope, that helps a bit

 

[CharlesB]

Of course, you'll have to wait for some RL and hands on reviews for specific statements.
Some think they can interpret everything out of MTFs.

For sure, it's lighter, smaller and cheaper than the f/1.2. If less glass has to be moved, the VCM AF should also be faster.
I suppose f/1.4 is optically easier to control than f/1.2. But I am not sure how much effort Canon did put in this specific optical formula.
For sure, it will be (very) good. Will it become a legend? I don't care. I'm looking for tools. This could be a real good one.
I hope, that helps a bit

I think you're right, it's too early to say, I'll wait for the real world reviews. I'm sure there will be some out probably after a couple of weeks being in the hands of a few. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the bigger YouTubers have it already.

I haven't shot much video, so I'm not even sure how much normal (not VCM) lenses impact video. Seems like it'd be less of an issue if you use an external mic or don't use audio directly from the camera. I'm very uneducated about video though, so can't really say. I'm planning on learning soon though!

Thanks for your reply, it actually helped quite a bit. I had a feeling I was jumping the gun inquiring about a new lens.

 

[Maximilian]

... Wouldn't be surprised if some of the bigger YouTubers have it already.

First "hands on" will be online within a few hours. I doubt that they are already in a position to make substantive statements.

I haven't shot much video, so I'm not even sure how much normal (not VCM) lenses impact video. Seems like it'd be less of an issue if you use an external mic or don't use audio directly from the camera. I'm very uneducated about video though, so can't really say. I'm planning on learning soon though!

I didn't mention, that I am into stills and not video.
But if you want an 85 for video with AF the alternatives are few.
I own the RF85 STM. *yawn* what a slow AF. Okay for stills (!) portrait. Not for moving subjects.
So, one more point for the "tool" 85 VCM.

 

[CharlesB]

First "hands on" will be online within a few hours. I doubt that they are already in a position to make substantive statements.


I didn't mention, that I am into stills and not video.
But if you want an 85 for video with AF the alternatives are few.
I own the RF85 STM. *yawn* what a slow AF. Okay for stills (!) portrait. Not for moving subjects.
So, one more point for the "tool" 85 VCM.

You're probably right about it being online in a few hours. A lot make videos on just the stats, basically everything we could have read in the release notes. Gotta get those clicks! I'm going to wait a month or so, most likely and see what's going on with it.

I too have basically only been into stills but I'd love to learn video. I have the R5Mii so it's a great opportunity. That being said, I have the 5Diii too, which could have created really nice videos. They did a long article on it here on CR a bit ago.

I'm just a hobbyist as of now but I've been getting more interested in doing real estate photography. Flambient style, especially. I've heard there's a good market for videos and stills in that area. I'd just love to create nice videos too, very professional looking ones. I honestly think it's going to take a long time to learn but sometimes that's the fun part!

 

[P-visie]

First German price (www.fotokoch.de):

1.749,- € for RF 85mm f/1,4 L VCM (incl. VAT)

First prices in the Netherlands for the RF 85mm f/1,4 L VCM are 1779.99 € and 1799 € (Incl. VAT).

 

[Exploreshootshare]

The great thing first: with the VCM line you pretty much know exactly what you're getting because the line up is very consistent. So absolutely no need for some "great reviews" (#irony) where somebody talks about the size, the buttons, lacks sample pics because and oh yeah, the applied correction (btw: I love them because it keeps the lens lighter and smaller).

The price is once again very steep. I was hoping it would at least match the price of the 50mm F1.4 VCM, but it is priced liked the RF 35mm F1.4. Since the 85mm F1.2 is more expansive than the 50mm F1.2 I figured it´d would be like that.

So, Canons pricing made my decision very easy: I'll get the RF 50mm F1.4 somewhere along the way until Christmas. I'll be looking to catch either a great Black Friday offer, a lens sell-out (usually -10% at Foto- Erhard, -Koch or -Leistenschneider) combined with cash back or simply a reasonable priced used copy. You gotta lower the (imho insane) pricing somehow. Also, I´ll keep the 85mm F2 and use it especially for close-ups etc.

 

[PhotoCadieux]

No IS? For this reason I will stick with my adapted EF85 f1.4L IS...one of the sharpest lenses ever made.

 

[STUDIOVHF]

No IS? For this reason I will stick with my adapted EF85 f1.4L IS...one of the sharpest lenses ever made.

So do I, couldn't agree more!

 

[Walrus]

A

No IS? For this reason I will stick with my adapted EF85 f1.4L IS...one of the sharpest lenses ever made.

All the VCM f1.4 line should have been given IS imho

 

[GreenViper]

Gordon Laing first impressions review up. Looks very sharp (GL says = to or better than 1.2 and EF 1.4, good bokeh (= EF 1.4 not as good as 1.2), fast focussing (fastest of the 85s) but with field of view looks like 75 or 80 with the optical adjustments

 

[JP Davis]

This was an instant pre-order for me. Been waiting for this to drop ever since I got my 50 VCM, which I loooove.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

No IS? For this reason I will stick with my adapted EF85 f1.4L IS...one of the sharpest lenses ever made.

How much would you benefit from IS on a camera body that has IBIS? Funnily, according to Canon the 85mm F1.2 L (no IS) and the 85mm F2 (with IS) both have 8 stops of shake protection. So, it doesn't seem like IS is really necessary.

Of course, you could use the lens with the R8, but I think Canon has the 85mm F2 in mind for those customers and it has IS.
R8 is more budget-conscious, the vcm line-up doesn't fit that bill. It is clearly intended for R1, R5, R6 users and those camera bodies all have IBIS.

 

[AJ]

$1999 in Canada (Camera Canada, Thecamerastore, Vistek).
Why so expensive? We don't have to pay tariffs unlike your neighbours to the south.
edit to add: 1999 CAD is 1445 USD so that is a tad less expensive than prices in the 'States.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

... but with field of view looks like 75 or 80 with the optical adjustments

75mm would be quite different from 85mm... I´d love to see a comparison where somebody shoots on a tripod and uses the RF 85mm F1.2 L, F1.4 L and F2 and then compare whether the frame looks different. Just shoot the same pic three times.

FWIW: Christopher Frost is one of the very few reviewers that I like or even trust. I'll take a look at his review.

Edit: I didn´t mean Jordan Laing, I meant Christopher Frost.