The Canon 85/1.2L lens is Canon's fastest and highest quality short telephoto lens. It is designed for full-frame digital SLRs such as the Canon EOS 5D ( review ). If you are passionate about portraits in available light, buy one right now from amazon.com , ( compare prices ).

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, released in early 2006, is one of the fastest prime lenses in Canon's modern arsenal (the other lens that offers as fast aperture is Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM) and replaces the first generation EF 85mm f/1.2L lens.

Here is a copy of the Canon press release on the new EF 85/1.2L II. It's very similar to the original version, except that it now transmits distance information to the camera to support E-TTL II flash and AF speed has been much improved.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens is the widest aperture lens Canon currently makes (review update: the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens now shares this aperture) - allowing handholding and action stopping in the darkest conditions.

For some time now my favorite portrait lens has been Canon's EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, but now my new favorite is the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. It replaces the EF 85mm f/1.2L USM and offers the widest aperture of any lens in Canon's EF family.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 USM L II is one of the little wonders in the Canon lens lineup - at least on an APS-C DSLR. The center performance is nothing short of breathtaking and the borders are only slightly weaker.

Gary Wolstenholme reviews the new version of Canon's flagship medium telephoto lens, the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.

Outstanding sharpness in the centre of the frame; Beautiful out of focus blur; Very good build quality; Very low level of chromatic aberrations

Manual focus ring could be better damped; Autofocus is slow when compared to slower aperture lenses; Lens can be rotated in wrong direction on the lens mount when lens release button is pressed

I love this lens, the DOF is extremely low as one would expect. I can shoot in near total darkness as long as I have a light for focus assist. Ambient light looks true and beautiful! With that said however this lens is the worst of all I own for backlit subjects.

Superior build quality

Semi-sharp images; chromatic aberration

I needed the perfect lens to rent for a newborn shoot, I am a new & growing photographer. This lens exceeded my expectations! The photos turned out amazing! When I invest in my next lens THIS will be it! I was able to use it for SO much more than the newborn shoot! Pros: * It's completely silent.

It's completely silent; Quieter than the f/1.4

I needed the perfect lens to rent for a newborn shoot, I am a new & growing photographer; This lens exceeded my expectations! The photos turned out amazing! When I invest in my next lens THIS will be it!

Most amazing lens I have ever owned. It's a little heavy but I like that. This lens is a beast. My images are so sharp now. I'm very pleased with my purchase!