AskMaddi
What do reviewers say about the Canon 85mm f1.2?
As of October 2026, among the 16 reviews we compiled, optical performance drew the most discussion: 57 claims from 15 of them, which we read as 56% positive, 11% neutral, 33% negative.
Synthesized from 16 reviewer sources for Canon 85mm f1.2. Optical performance draws the most discussion: 32 positive, 6 neutral, and 19 negative across 57 sentiment markers. The most criticism lands on build: 39% positive, 22% neutral, 39% negative across 18 claims. Opinion is split on AF for stills (11 positive, 7 neutral, 10 negative claims). AF performance splits by use case: stills sentiment runs net positive (11/7/10 across 28), while video sentiment runs net negative (4/14/7 across 25).
What are the Canon 85mm f1.2 specifications?
Focal Length Mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2
specs: designation
What do reviewers praise and criticize?
Optical Performance
32 pos · 6 neu · 19 neg
“RF lens is razor sharp with excellent contrast in the middle of your images the older EF lens does have some good resolution there although not as much as the RF lens but most noticeable is the huge difference in contrast and the huge amount of color finging in the EF option well let's take a look…” — Christopher Frost
Build Quality
7 pos · 4 neu · 7 neg
“One of the biggest reasons that this lens has earned a place in my bag is its build quality.” — Kevin Deal Photography
Mount Compatibility
4 pos · 13 neu · 8 neg
“Canon has made some amazing lenses for the RF Mount and through this channel I've been lucky enough to try most of them but in terms of Pure Performance I think the RF 85 mm 1.2 prime lens is the best lens that Canon has ever made and this is my long-term review of the portrait King all right so” — James Reader
Price & Value
11 pos · 11 neu · 5 neg
“Coincidentally, this shirt same price as the version one of the lens.” — Renton Vlogs
Weight & Portability
6 pos · 0 neu · 10 neg
“and much heavier weighing in at 1 200 grams compared to the F2 version's modest 500 grams that's more than twice the weight I suffer a little bit from wrist pain and I have found that the RF 85 millimeter 1.2 is one of the more uncomfortable lenses to use on the RF Mount because it is so front heavy” — James Reader
More detail — 10 additional axes
Chromatic Aberration
3 pos · 1 neu · 2 neg
“can look a little jumbled and we also witness the typical cat siai shaped tobacco balls in the corners of your images and related to Baka is longitudinal chromatic aberration at f1.2 Baka highlights see a little color fringing but not too much pink before the plane of focus and green after stop…” — Christopher Frost
Coma
0 pos · 1 neu · 0 neg
Color Rendition
3 pos · 0 neu · 0 neg
Filter Thread
0 pos · 2 neu · 1 neg
“millimeter filter thread instead of 72 of the older one it does not have is but I wouldn't expect a lens like this to have is built in because prime lens are just going to be much sharper without having floating elements in them but with that being said the EOS R does not have Ibis inside of it…” — Jared Polin
Dimensions
3 pos · 5 neu · 2 neg
Handling
12 pos · 4 neu · 5 neg
AF Noise
2 pos · 4 neu · 2 neg
Which reviews is this based on? (16)
Every claim above traces to these original reviews. We don't write opinions — we synthesize theirs.
📹 Pro Reviews (16)
- THE HOLY GRAIL OF PORTRAIT LENSES? Canon RF 85mm F1.2 REVIEW Chris Oggy
- Canon 85mm f/1.2 USM ii 'L' lens review with samples (full-frame and APS-C) Christopher Frost
- Canon 'L' lens challenge: 85mm f/1.2 'L' vs. 85mm f/1.8 Christopher Frost
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 'L' USM lens review with samples Christopher Frost
- Canon RF vs EF | 85mm f/1.2 'L' Lens Challenge! Christopher Frost
- Canon ef 85mm II f/1.2 - Over 9 Years Later David Cuhls
- Canon EF 85mm f1.2L vs RF 85 f2 review: BOKEH monster for the same money? Gordon Laing
- Canon RF 85mm F2 Review for Portraits vs RF 85mm F1.2 (Free RAW Files) James Reader
- This is the BEST lens Canon has EVER made James Reader
- WATCH THIS Before BUYING the $2,799 Canon 85mm f1.2 RF Lens | REVIEW Jared Polin
- Canon EF II 85mm F/1.2 Lens Review with Sample Photos Jessica Whitaker
- Canon RF85mm f/1.2 | My Five Year Journey Kevin Deal Photography
- Lens Data - Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Review LENS DATA
- Canon 85mm f/1.2L vs f/1.4L vs f/1.8 Who Wins???? Media Unlocked
- Canon 85mm f/1.2 L lens Review + sample images Photo Feaver
- Canon EF 85mm 1.2 USM MarkII | The Best Canon Lens Renton Vlogs