Just perfect for portraits Just fast enough The smoothest blur you will ever see Best used with pro cameras Just get it.

Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, this new medium telephoto lens uses a Ring-type USM, high-speed CPU and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed approximately 1.8x faster than the original.

My go to lens for portrait work, no other lens in my bag can produce images like this lens

Great

Here is a lens from Canon that will make many photographers drool, and with the widest aperture in their current EF range, this new model becomes Canon's definitive portraiture lens. We take a look at how it performs.

Excellent performance wide open and throughout the aperture range; Whisper quiet and fast AF performance; Huge light gathering ability

Hood (although not front element) rotates with MF ring; Price (Although worth it if you have a genuine use

You should draw your own conclusions based on your photographic objectives and the need for light gathering capacity, background blur in out of focus areas (bokeh), and for autofocus speed as well as cost and weight considerations.

The 85 mm lenses are very interesting instruments – especially today. Their kind of focal length is perfect for portrait photos and it doesn't matter whether we use a full frame or an APS-C/DX sensor camera. It is worth notice that no other classic focal length offers us similar comfort.

solid workmanship and a very robust barrel; sensational frame centre image quality; very good frame edge image quality on the APS-C sensor; good frame edge image quality on stopping down to the range about f/2.8-4.0; very good chromatic aberration correction; low distortion; low astigmatism,...

high price; the manual focus ring works too loosely; too limited accessory kit; significant vignetting on full frame near the maximum aperture; too high coma level

The 85mm focal length is particularly desirable in a prime lens because it's so versatile. It's great for portraiture because it provides a good working distance without introducing distortion.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM ($2,199 direct)($2,299.00 at Amazon) is one of two f/1.2 lenses in the Canon library, and like the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM($1,349.00 at Dell) it's one without a peer in other camera systems. It captures about 30 percent more light than competing f/1.4 lenses, like the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM($1,099.00 at Amazon), and at similar working distances will also show a shallower depth of field. It's an expensive lens, and it has a few ergonomic quirks. But if you are a portrait specialist and if you can afford it, it's worth your money. The lens is fairly short, but very, very wide. It measures 3.3 by 3.6 inches (HD) and weighs in at a hefty 2.3 pounds. The front element is big, it uses 72mm filters, and the included hood adds both depth and width. The lens ships with a reversible hood, which clips on or off via two buttons, rather than requiring you to mount it via a bayonet system. There's no optical stabilization, but that's a feature that is generally re...

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is a specialty lens, perfect for portraits with a very shallow depth of field. Its unique view of the world earns it our Editors' Choice award.

Insane light-gathering capability; Capable of very shallow depth of field; Superb center sharpness

Focus-by-wire design; No stabilization; Big; Expensive

Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with EF Mount cameras. What type of photography is the Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM lens good for?

Autofocus, Distance Scale, DoF(Depth of Field) Scale, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Very Fast Aperture, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 8 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh, No Weather Sealing, Heavy

Autofocus, Distance Scale, DoF(Depth of Field) Scale, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Very Fast Aperture, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 8 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh, No Weather Sealing, Heavy