Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Canon launches an iconic lens for a new generation - the RF ...

08/05/2019

Canon launches an iconic lens for a new generation - the RF 85mm F1.2L USM - offering Canon's highest resolution yet*

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 8th May 2019 - Canon Europe, world leader in lens manufacturing, today builds on its ongoing commitment to photographers, with the launch of the latest generation of Canon's iconic 85mm f/1.2L lens, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Offering the highest resolution of a Canon lens launched to date, it features a super-fast aperture and outstanding AF speeds, making it ideal for capturing candid portraiture and wedding photography. Following Canon's lens development announcement in February, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM is the first of six RF mount lenses being introduced by Canon in 2019. This lens, endorsed by award-winning Canon Europe Ambassador F licia Sisco, will take users of the legendary EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM to the next level of performance. All six RF lenses will offer incredible quality and versatility for those looking to get the perfect shot.

Canon Europe Ambassador - award-winning wedding photographer F licia Sisco

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

Image by F licia Sisco using Canon's EOS R and the new RF 85mm F1.2L USM

Impressive resolution for every detail

Designed for the EOS R System, the RF mount redefines the possibilities of photography and videography, providing the tools for users to enhance their skills and shoot creatively without limitations. Developed in line with technological advancements and end user feedback, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM uses the RF mount's advanced possibilities to enhance image quality and communication between the lens and the full-frame mirrorless camera body.

The 85mm short telephoto lens provides the ideal focal length for portraits and a flattering perspective for faces. The RF 85mm F1.2L USM is only the second lens in Canon's line-up, after the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, to use Canon's unique BR optic technology, which effectively corrects axial chromatic aberration that is not completely correctable with a combination of traditional glass lenses - improving resolution and sharpness. Ensuring incredibly high image quality for every shot, the aspherical and UD lens elements reduce lens aberrations enabling stunning optical performance.

High-speed, high-quality

The RF 85MM F1.2L USM is one of Canon's fastest aperture autofocus lenses for its full-frame mirrorless range of cameras. When coupled with the short telephoto length and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the fast f/1.2 aperture creates stunning shallow depth of field, bokeh and background separation. The lens aperture makes the subject leap from the image, whilst the nine-aperture blade system enhances the subject against the smoothly blurred background, ideal for portraiture photography. The ultra-wide aperture transmits 50 per cent more light than a f/1.4 lens for shooting in challenging, lighting conditions - down to -6EV (EOS R) and -5EV (EOS RP) - capturing the atmosphere in every moment.

Using the same ring type USM motor as the RF 50mm F1.2L USM, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM ensures sharp focus is found swiftly and accurately, allowing objects to be tracked as they move around the frame. Coupled with a new microprocessor, which uses a new high-performance CPU and firmware, the lens utilises the EOS R system increasing data transfer, resulting in faster operation and AF, allowing the photographer to capture split-second moments.

Exceptional handling and durability

Incorporated in Canon's RF lenses is a control ring - where settings are programmable to TV, AV, ISO and exposure setting - adds a layer of customisation, making it ideal for wedding photographers who need ranging settings for both perfect candid moments and beautifully modelled shots. The lens is also equipped with a full-time manual focus ring, which allows manual focusing by turning the focusing ring, without the need to switch to MF mode. Ideal for shooting outdoors, or on location, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM features the iconic L-series weatherproofing, sealing the lens to protect against adverse weather conditions when shooting outdoors or on location.

Award-winning wedding photographer and Canon Ambassador, F licia Sisco commented, As a wedding - and portrait - photographer, I need to be able to trust my tools so that I can focus on the subject and tell their story. I have been using Canon's iconic 85mm 1.2 lens for over 20 years because of its speed and wide-aperture which guarantees beautiful images, even in low light.

The new RF 85mm F1.2L USM is better than I could have imagined. This lens produces a depth of field and bokeh that is impossible to achieve with other lenses and I already know it will become a staple in my kitbag. It separates the subject from the background and delivers a sharp focus on the subject's eyes which is simply breath-taking, capturing every special moment.

Read more about our Canon Ambassadors' experience with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM on location:

https://www.canon.co.uk/pro/

For standalone product information on the RF 85mm F1.2L USM, please visit:

https://www.canon.co.uk/lenses/rf-lenses/

RF 85mm F1.2L USM Key Features:

Extreme high performance 85mm prime lens

85mm focal length to provide flattering perspective ideal for portraits

Very Large f/1.2 aperture with 9-aperture blade for superior low light performance and smooth background blur

BR optics (Blue Spectrum Refractive optics) reduce chromatic aberration ensuring the highest image quality

Aspherical and UD elements ensure the highest resolution across of the image

USM motor for smooth, near-silent operation

Control Ring - giving direct control over Tv/Av/ISO settings

ASC (Air Sphere Coating) prevents flare and ghosting from deteriorating image quality

Pricing & availability:

The following products will be available from Canon's online store and official
LINK: https://www.canon.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/2019/05/iconic-len...
See more stories from canon

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

13/03/2026

SVG Sit-Down: Net Insight's Andreas Eriksson on Scalable, Predictable Live-Media Infrastructure

Recently named CEO Andreas Eriksson has taken the helm at Net Insight at a pivot...

13/03/2026

Scripps Sports To Broadcast First PWHL Game on National TV in U.S.

Scripps Sports and Ally Financial are partnering with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) to broadcast its first game on national linear televisio...

13/03/2026

Disney+ Follows in ESPN's Footsteps With Launch of Verts Vertical Video Feed on Mobile

Disney+ has launched Verts, a vertical video feed on its U.S. mobile app, markin...

13/03/2026

LTN and Appear Announce Integrated Solution for Live Event Video Transport and Distribution

LTN, a managed IP video transport company, and Appear, a live production technol...

13/03/2026

PFL Signs Betting Data and Streaming Agreement With Sportradar

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced an agreement with Sportradar for global betting data and streaming rights. Under the deal, Sportradar becom...

13/03/2026

SVG GameDay, Ep. 7: Milwaukee Brewers' Jami Patton - Game Pres with the Brew Crew

In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...

13/03/2026

Peacock To Add Vertical Video Option for Live NBA Games

The streamer will be the first entertainment platform to offer AI-enabled vertical video for live games, starting with the NBA...

13/03/2026

Ease Live Deploys Interactive Overlay Platform on Red Bull TV for Premier Padel

Ease Live, an Evertz company specializing in interactive graphical overlays, has deployed its platform on Red Bull TV for Premier Padel coverage. The deployment...

13/03/2026

ESPN's Andy Jacobson on Pushing the Envelope to Debut MNF Playbook'

Monday Night Football, ESPN's premiere NFL property, has continued to be improved and upgraded from a production perspective. Alternative broadcasts are aug...

13/03/2026

NAB 2026: Net Insight Introduces Nimbra 520 Media Processing Node

At NAB Show 2026, Net Insight (booth W1653) is introducing the Nimbra 520, a high-density media processing node for live contribution and distribution across ma...

13/03/2026

NAB 2026: Harmonic Takes Wraps Off Spectrum X Plus Media Server

Harmonic (booth W2831) has announced Spectrum X Plus, the newest generation of its Spectrum X media server, offering double the channel density of previous gene...

13/03/2026

Riedel Communications Appoints Jan Schaffner as VP of Managed Technology Americas

Riedel Communications has announced the expansion of its Managed Technology Divi...

13/03/2026

NAB 2026: Telestream Launches UP, a Cloud-Native Ingest and Monitoring Solution

Telestream (booth W1503) has announced the expansion of Telestream Cloud Services with the introduction of UP, a cloud-native solution for ingest, orchestration...

13/03/2026

It's Showtime! Production Pros Bring Awards Shows, Festivals, and Other Events to Life

From awards ceremonies and sports honors shows to festivals and fan conventions,...

13/03/2026

Overtime Partners with Metro by T-Mobile for OTE and Overtime Select Basketball Leagues

Overtime has announced a partnership with Metro by T-Mobile, naming Metro the Of...

13/03/2026

NAB 2026: Calrec to Showcase IP Ecosystem and Plethora of New Products

At NAB 2026, Calrec (booth C6907) will IP Ecosystem powered by True Control 2.0, integrating the company's IP-native Argo consoles - including the U.S. debu...

13/03/2026

Ratings Roundup: FOX Smashes WBC Records, ESPN Nets Best College Hoops Audience in 10+ Years

Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news derived from press releases ...

13/03/2026

A New Era of Personalization: Shape Your Taste Profile on Spotify

Spotify has always been built around your taste. More than 80% of listeners say personalization is what they love most about us. Now we're taking that even ...

13/03/2026

Spotify Debuts Legends Club for Popular German-Language Podcasts With Kaulitz Hills'

The new Spotify Legends Club has opened its doors. Its members: select German-sp...

13/03/2026

Klevgrand release OneShot2

Pushing drum sampler technology into new territories The latest version of Klevgrand's software drum sampler has just arrived, boasting a newly designe...

13/03/2026

IK Multimedia update ARC On-Ear

Expanded headphone support & engine improvements IK Multimedia's recently introduced ARC On-Ear system brings the power of their monitoring-correction s...

13/03/2026

UVI introduce Mosaiq 26

Extra sound collections, more presets & new Keys category UVI's rhythm and pattern instrument has just received a major update that introduces four new ...

13/03/2026

Missionized Business Jets: Fielded and Flying

Over a year ago, L3Harris delivered the first missionized Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Two ATHENA-R platforms now average 400+...

13/03/2026

GFiber and Stonepeak's Astound Broadband to Merge

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

13/03/2026

Harmonic Redefines the Economics of Video Playout with Ne...

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced Spectrum X Plus, the newest generation of its Spectrum X media server, offering double the channel density of previous ...

13/03/2026

Historic Ewing Covenant Church Revitalizes Worship Experi...

When Ewing Covenant Church made the decision to return to its original, historic building, affectionately called 1867 Sanctuary for weekly worship, the congre...

13/03/2026

Marshall Electronics Launches CV574 WP its First 4K All I...

Marshall Electronics introduces its first all-IP 4K POV camera, the CV574-WP, at NAB 2026 (Booth C8339). The CV574-WP supports NDI |HX, providing ultra-efficien...

13/03/2026

Net Insight launches Nimbra 520 - Predictable Live Media...

At NAB Show 2026, Net Insight introduces Nimbra 520, a high-density media processing node designed to simplify live contribution and distribution across both ma...

13/03/2026

Abandon Editorial Signs With Michal Dimitri for West Coast Representation

Abandon Editorial Signs With Micha l Dimitri for West Coast Representation Brie Clayton March 12, 2026 0 Comments Abandon Editorial is excited to part...

13/03/2026

Documentary The Bulldogs Shot and Edited with Blackmagic Design

Documentary The Bulldogs Shot and Edited with Blackmagic Design Brie Clayton March 12, 2026 0 Comments Editorial tools helped shape film in real time,...

13/03/2026

AE Captions as Fast as CapCut - No Plugins

AE Captions as Fast as CapCut - No Plugins Graham Quince March 12, 2026 0 Comments Stop wasting hours clicking through nested compositions and manuall...

13/03/2026

New Music USA and Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice Announce 2026 Next Jazz Legacy Cohort

New Music USA and Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice Announce 2026 Nex...

13/03/2026

VEON Delivers Record Digital Growth: 4Q25 Digital Revenues Grow 84% to 20.1% of Total, Driving 17% Revenue and 29% EBITDA Growth in 4Q25

13 Mar 2026 VEON Delivers Record Digital Growth: 4Q25 Digital Revenues Grow 84%...

13/03/2026

Sky Adds Blood on Snow to Original Film Slate in Acquisition Headlined by Benedict Cumberbatch and Aaron TaylorJohnson

Friday 13 March 2026 Sky Adds Blood on Snow to Original Film Slate in Acquisiti...

13/03/2026

RT announces Rick O'Shea as new presenter on RT Radio 1's Arena

RT has announced today that Rick O'Shea is the new presenter of Arena RT Radio 1's flagship weeknight arts and culture programme. Rick has been pres...

13/03/2026

Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish nominees

Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish n...

12/03/2026

Milano Cortina 2026: Yospace helps ad-funded rights-holders claim advertising gold

Staines-upon-Thames, UK, 11th March, 2026 - Yospace, the trusted leader in Dyna...

12/03/2026

Utah Scientific Expands Technology Partner Program With Integrations From Audinate, Bitfocus, and Skaarhoj

Utah Scientific Expands Technology Partner Program With Integrations From Audina...

12/03/2026

Techex Hires Matt McKee as Senior Director, Sales, Americas

Techex, a global expert in live video solutions over IP and cloud, announces the appointment of Matt McKee as Senior Director, Sales, Americas, further strength...

12/03/2026

KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America Welcomes Mondae Hott as Regional Sales Manager, Northeast

KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America has appointed Mondae Hott as Regional Sales Manag...

12/03/2026

Interra Systems Focuses on Streaming-First QC, Monitoring, and Responsible AI Workflows at 2026 NAB Show

At the 2026 NAB Show, Interra Systems will showcase its latest advancements in a...

12/03/2026

15th National Games of China Features Expansive Unified Broadcast Network

The 15th National Games of China concluded after a two-week celebration of athletic excellence and regional collaboration. Held from Nov. 9-21 across Guangdong,...

12/03/2026

SVG in Indy: Butler University Students Get Live-Sports Experience via On-Campus Studio, Production Truck

Live-production academic program Butler Sports Live produced a total of 40 fall-...

12/03/2026

Lawo Delivers Fully IPBased Video Infrastructure for University of Nebraska's HuskerVision

The University of Nebraska's HuskerVision has completed the second phase of ...

12/03/2026

University of Illinois Upgrades Game-Day Production with New Hybrid IP Control Room

Grass Valley and integration partner Tab M Solutions have completed Phase 1 of a...