Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L vs. RF 85mm f/1.2L: Is the Upgrade to Mirrorless Perfection Worth It?

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The 85mm Allure: A Portrait Photographer's Dream

For portrait photographers, the 85mm lens is often hailed as the holy grail. It offers a flattering perspective, beautiful background compression, and the ability to create that dreamy subject separation that makes an image truly pop. For years, Canon's EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM has been a workhorse, a reliable and stellar performer in my bag. But even for the EF-mount, I always coveted one of the "magic" 85mm f/1.2 lenses. It is well known that the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 had some flaws, especially the speed of its autofocus. I was pretty happy when Canon announced the EF 85mm f/1.4L, and I got a copy right away. It replaced my Sigma 85mm f/1.4, and I was happy. I switched to the Canon mirrorless system with the availability of the Canon R. At that point, all the low-light lenses began to shine even more. I really have no clue how those lenses worked without Eye AF! That made me even happier with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4.

But Canon triggered my GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). They released many wonderful lenses with hefty price tags in the RF world. I never seriously considered jumping to any of those RF lenses. But then my last DSLR was gone, and only mirrorless cameras with an RF mount remained in my bag. No excuses for backward compatibility anymore. So, I began to acquire some RF lenses. The RF 24-105mm f/4L was a no-brainer; the RF 28-70mm f/2L blew me away. The "holy trinity" is now completely RF. However, my primes were not. Until now. Just six years after Canon introduced the RF 85mm f/1.2, I finally got it. In this article, I will justify that purchase as best as I can 😁.

Mounted on Canon EOS R5, side by side Comparing the lens hoods. Mounted on Canon EOS R5, side by side Mounted on Canon EOS R5, side by side Mounted on Canon EOS R5, side by side Mounted on Canon EOS R5, side by side without a hood EF 85 1.4 mounted on a Canon R5 with the RF adapter RF 85 1.2 mounted on a Canon R5 RF 85 1.2 mounted on a Canon R5 without hood

The Contenders: A Quick Glance

Before we dive deep, let's briefly introduce the two lenses:

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM: A modern classic. This lens brought image stabilization to the Canon 85mm L-series lineup, combined with a very respectable f/1.4 aperture. It's known for its sharpness, beautiful rendering, and robust build. For many, it's the pinnacle of EF portrait lenses.

  • Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: The new king on the block? Part of Canon's latest generation of professional lenses for the mirrorless R system. It boasts an ultra-wide f/1.2 aperture, promising unparalleled light-gathering capabilities and bokeh. Canon has thrown all its latest optical technology into this lens. (There's also an RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS version with a Defocus Smoothing coating for even softer bokeh, but I needed the extra low-light ability in case it gets dark at an event).

The Elephant in the Room: Price vs. Prestige

Let's be upfront: the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM commands a significantly higher price than the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM. This isn't just a minor step up; it's a substantial investment. This price difference is a central part of the "is it worth it?" question and forms the backbone of my quest for justification. Is the performance leap proportional to the price leap? No! 😉 Most clients will never see the difference. But do I? Let's find out.

Before Pixel Peeping: The RF Advantage in Use

Image quality is paramount, but how a lens performs in the field is just as crucial.

  • Autofocus: Both lenses are fine! The EF version mounted with an adapter is no drawback. Both are fast-focusing and precise. The RF version is slightly louder than the EF version.

  • Build, Handling, and the Control Ring: Both lenses are built to professional standards; they are weather-sealed, too. The RF lens, however, feels like a plastic tank, while the EF version is rock solid. I also don't like the focus ring on the RF lens. If I grab the camera by the lens, I often grab it exactly where the focus ring is. As a result, the camera might turn and slip through my hands. I need to get used to this. The focus ring of the EF version is placed much better. The customizable control ring on RF lenses is also a tangible benefit, allowing quick adjustments to settings like ISO or aperture right on the lens. But with the right RF adapter, you can have this control ring for the EF version, too. I'm using the control ring to select the focus mode. The ring allows me to switch between object tracking (including Eye AF) and spot mode quickly if needed.

  • Image Stabilization (EF) vs. Wider Aperture (RF): The EF 85mm f/1.4L does have Image Stabilization, which is a definite plus, especially for handheld shooting in lower light or for video. However, the RF 85mm f/1.2L's low-light capability, combined with the excellent high-ISO performance of modern R-series cameras, often negates the need for IS in many still photography scenarios. For me, the benefit of f/1.2 for subject separation and light gathering outweighs the IS for my typical work. I was able to capture sharp images with the RF at a shutter speed of 1/4s; the EF was okay with 1/2s. That is only one stop in my quick test.

    Comparing the image stabilization

Image Quality Deep Dive: Where the Pixels Do the Talking

This is where the rubber meets the road. A lens's primary job is to deliver stunning images. All images are shot wide open. Anything else makes no sense. You don't buy fast lenses to stop them down. If you don't need the light, grab a different lens. It might be lighter and/or even cheaper.

Here is an image I took on my balcony. Like the following images, it's nothing fancy, but it gives an impression of the capability of the lenses. 

Landscape - Fit to Frame Landscape - 100%25 zoom in Landscape - 400%25 zoom in

The images fitting the frame in full do not show much of a difference. But zooming in to 100% or even 400% reveals two things:

  1. The RF 85mm f/1.2 shows more detail.

  2. The EF version shows some color fringes.

The RF delivers, as expected, the clearer image wide open.

Sharpness wide open - Fit to Frame Sharpness wide open - 100%25 zoom in

This is another example where the wide-open sharpness of the RF is shining.

But what about the possible background blur and the magic for images? Well, I just had my light dummy around, so I took two shots:

Example with light dummy - close distance Example with light dummy

I like what I see. The difference in the close shot is subtle, with the background appearing a bit smoother, and the slightly wider shot showcases this even more effectively. These initial tests with my trusty light dummy are promising, and I'm incredibly excited to see how these qualities translate to real-world client shoots. The subtle improvements in bokeh and the undeniable jump in sharpness already hint at the magic this lens can produce.

Conclusion: The Price of My Smile

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is, without a doubt, an uncompromising lens for photographers who demand the absolute best and are willing to invest in their craft. For me, the exquisite subject separation at f/1.2 and the overall image fidelity have more than justified the considerable expense. It's not just about the technical specifications; it's about the confidence it inspires and the possibilities it unlocks. This lens will rapidly becoming my favorite, consistently bringing the biggest smile to my face when I review the images.

The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM remains a phenomenal lens, and if you're on the EF mount or budget is a primary concern, it's an absolutely fantastic choice. But if you're on the RF system and striving for that ultimate image quality and that cutting-edge performance, the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM delivers. It's an investment, for sure, but one that pays dividends in the sheer joy of using it.

So yes, I believe I've thoroughly convinced myself that this switch was a sensible, albeit expensive, decision!😁