
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
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
URSA Cine 12K LF Captures Poste Italian's Anniversary Film
Brie Clayton October 4, 2026
0 Comments
Jacopo Mutti reveals the practical choices behi...
05/10/2026
Green Hippo Estuary Series MC1 and MC2 Media Controllers are Now Shipping
Brie Clayton October 4, 2026
0 Comments
Made for Shows that Don't Have T...
05/10/2026
RT will provide comprehensive coverage and analysis of Budget 2027 across online, radio and television on Tuesday 6 October, with extensive reporting and analy...
05/10/2026
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women - yet the gaps in care are wide. A majority of women over age 40 skip the recommended a...
04/10/2026
Dedicated streaming mic gets an overhaul
Following on from the success of their dedicated streaming microphone, the MV6, Shure have announced the launch of ...
03/10/2026
The broadcaster's capability as an internal production house continues with ...
03/10/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
03/10/2026
Olivia Colman stars in Wicker, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festi...
03/10/2026
Nielsen is evolving its cross-platform content measurement solutions to give every corner of the media industry studios, distributors, content creators, right...
03/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/10/2026
Bantaray Mobile Sports Production Delivers Niche Sports to Growing Audiences wit...
02/10/2026
Design reflects feedback on graphics introduced for MLB Red Sox and Pirates games
Boston Bruins games on NESN and Pittsburgh Penguins games on SportsNet Pittsb...
02/10/2026
NEP SS7/ST7 anchors Big Ten Saturday Night; nine Peacock games are produced from...
02/10/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
02/10/2026
GameTime Productions provided national broadcast production services for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) 2026 season, with coverage distributed ac...
02/10/2026
Audio-Technica has introduced the HP-HBM50x, a genuine replacement headband for the ATH-M50x professional studio monitor headphones. The HP-HBM50x is compatible...
02/10/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has helped audio professional Steve Schatz design and build Black Lava Studios, a 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering facility i...
02/10/2026
Cobalt Digital has received Best of Show awards from TV Tech and TVB Europe at IBC2026 for solutions from its PACIFIC compression line.
TV Tech recognized the ...
02/10/2026
ESPN and TMRW Sports have announced a multi-year extension of their U.S. media rights agreement for TGL presented by SoFi. The 2027 TGL season will open Sunday,...
02/10/2026
Devlin Design Group (DDG) and Clickspring Design (CSD) have announced a strategic alliance combining their design capabilities for broadcast, media, workplace, ...
02/10/2026
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has announced a partnership with CSMG (Collegiate Sports Management Group) making the firm the exclusive representativ...
02/10/2026
Mediaproxy will exhibit at NAB Show New York (Booth 561, Javits Center, October 21-22), demonstrating new AI capabilities in its LogServer compliance platform a...
02/10/2026
Mesh Broadcast Services has installed a Calrec Argo M console in the production area of its Eclipse 40-foot mobile unit, recently moved onto a 2025 Freightliner...
02/10/2026
Vizrt has announced that Richmond AFL has signed on to use Viz Libero Teams for coaching analysis and content creation. The platform provides 3D match analysis ...
02/10/2026
Oak View Group (OVG) has announced Cisco as an Official Technology Partner. Thro...
02/10/2026
Clear-Com has announced that the Audiovisual Training Centre in d , Poland, has installed an Arcadia Central Station as the communications hub for its broadca...
02/10/2026
A major figure in international football, three-time French champion and three-time Ligue 1 top scorer, Sonny Anderson will chair the SPORTEL Awards 2026 Jury. ...
02/10/2026
California-based Bantaray Mobile Sports Production has built its mobile producti...
02/10/2026
Overtime has announced a new strategic investment led by Eldridge Capital Management. Eldridge has investments across sports and media including the Los Angeles...
02/10/2026
The Milwaukee Bucks have launched Bucks , a direct-to-consumer streaming service that expands access to Bucks games during the 2026-27 season for fans statewide...
02/10/2026
v1.9.3 introduces AUv3 support
Roland have just released an update that kits their free iPad-based software synth out with AUv3 support, meaning it can now ...
02/10/2026
Dolby Atmos support, AI-powered stem separation & more
The latest version of MOTU's DAW software is now available, and marks a major step forward with t...
02/10/2026
Portable DAC created in collaboration with Steve Levine
British hi-fi experts iFi audio have unveiled a new Master Tuned variant of their praised iDSD GR2 p...
02/10/2026
New SBS podcast How Australia Works helps migrants to navigate Australia's d...
02/10/2026
01 October 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is ...
02/10/2026
In our latest blog, Tim Pearson looks at streaming piracy from a different lens, focusing on digital trust, consumer risk, and the future of subscriber protecti...
02/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/10/2026
Haymaker VFX acquires SWISS
Brie Clayton October 2, 2026
0 Comments
Stockholm-based, globally recognized creative team becomes part of Haymaker VFX in...
02/10/2026
Treasure & Dirt Shot with URSA Cine 17K 65
Brie Clayton October 2, 2026
0 Comments
DP Edward Goldner, ACS, relied on 65mm sensor to capture vast deser...