Loved the vid, Vanessa, and would love to see one in the future comparing the Rf 85 1.2 and this F2. Interesting that you were also using the new cameras. And maybe in the future we can see a comparison in photos between the EOS R and the R5/6. And the kids are beautiful.
Better to compare EF85mm f1.8 non IS to RF85mm f2 IS former is more affordable and R5 n R6 already have IBIS Or I'd like to see comparison against EF 85mm f1.4
Hello Master Vanessa: Please help and give me some advice, The camera I am currently using is Canon EOS R10, The kit lens used with it is (RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM) My main subject matter is toy photography. The secondary shooting content is street photography or portrait photos. Now I want to buy new lenses, after watching your video, Want to compare between Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and RF85mm F2 Macro IS STM After making a choice, I would like to ask you to give me some advice on which lens is more suitable for me? Thank you.
Nice review but how did you get to post photos? none of the other reviewers are allowed to post photos on this lens yet not even dpreview- canon ambassador?
This is actually an extremely good lens with an amazing price for the RF mount. It's like the RF 35mm's big brother. If I didn't have the Sigma Art already I would have got this.
@@LewisCannonMusic That's a tough call for sure. If you have to have the shallowest depth of field, the Sigma would be the way to go (or any other F1.4/F1.2 lens). I once bought the Canon 35mm F2.0 IS lens and took it back days later (despite that being a great lens) because I wanted the shallow F1.4 look (got the Sigma Art). This would be GREAT though for macro shots, though, I don't think it's real 1:1 macro.
@@LewisCannonMusic Definitely get this lens. As I've pointed out in other comments, regular fast 85mm FF primes can't focus very close. And I don't mean macro. I mean, 85mm lenses normally can't focus at an arm's distance. So composition like 5:45 is impossible. Getting a newborn's or a house cat's face to fill up your picture is impossible. Product or close-up detail shots? Never close enough. I'm always fighting working distance with most 85mm portrait lenses on FF, not just because of composition, but because I hit the 2.8' minimum focusing distance. This is why I prefer medium telephoto macro lenses over fast portrait lenses, even though I don't do macro, but this will give me enough of both types of lenses to be perfect.
Hello Vanessa, I know allot of people are crazy about the new Canon glass, but for me it is what is making me not want to go back to Canon. the 50 and 85L are just crazy big and heavy, and the 85 f2 looks bigger and heavier than the Sony 85 f1.8 witch is a great lens for the money. I thought the old Canon L primes were to big and heavy. so what does Canon do for there smaller mirrorless system, they make all the glass even bigger and heavier. makes allot of sense, the only new lens of Canons that I think is really cool is the new 70/200 f2.8 L because of its size and weight. and the 85 f2 also seems nice. I get the feeling allot of professionally Canon photographers might buy that over the 85 L because of the size and weight. and just sacrifice f1.2, and it seems to have nice background blur for an f2 lens. so I don't agree that its for moms taking pictures of there kids. I wish Canon would make some fast glass that is not so crazy big and heavy. more like the new Samyang 85 f1.4 witch is so much smaller and lighter than the new L lens. I mean I am all for great f1.2 glass, but what was Canon thinking, same with the crazy heavy 28/70 f2. people all thought the Sigma 85 art was to big and heavy, so Canon decided to make there 85L way bigger and heavier than the Sigma, so yea Canon has some great glass that allot of people wont buy because of the weight. and for some people they wont buy because of the super high prices. I wish you took some really nice portraits with the 85 f2 instead of just snap shots. but I understand why you didn't, but the camera market is not the same as it used to be. some professionals are willing to give up f1.4 or f1.2. for f1.8 glass because of the weight. and get lenses like the great Sony Zeiss 55 f1.8 that is small and light.
Great video! ive been looking for a nice macro lens for my Eos R and after chatting to the Canon live chat they told me about this lens which led me to your video! I think im going to go for it!
Vanessa. Can’t wait for this one. I’ve been logging my 85mm f1.2 but a lot of the times it’s an over kill and would love to have a lighter 85mm yet fast. I preordered along with my R5 as well can’t wait to shoot and review it on my channel 🤯
it depends on what you want to do with it. I think the EF 85 1.4 is optically better in every way since it is an L(colors, bokeh, sharpness). I have it on the 5DMKIV since it was introduced but with the EOS R and the Adapter i don't like how its balanced. The EF 85mm 1.4 is 950gr + Adapter and all weight on the front. I think the RF 85mm f2 STM is more an All-Day-Lens with its native RF mount and it only weights 500gr and have Macro capabilities. 85mm f1.4L for serious Portraits and Studio Work.. (not ment that you can't do serious work with the 85mm f2 STM but a bit better) 85mm f2 STM for any daily photos, like playing kids, vacation, walk around, macros..
I was going to purchase the 85mm 1.2 L. But I decided to get the RF 24-70 2.8 L since I sold all of my EF lenses. Would it be stupid of me to purchase this lens owning the the 24.70?
Thank you for making this video. It gives this newbie an idea of what settings to experiment with this fantastic lens. I appreciate you. Angel from The Bay Area, CA
How does this compare to an adapted 85mm f1.4 L IS? Ignoring the obvious size and price difference and assuming your budget is a little flexible and I suppose, you can forgo the closer focusing distance?
@@VanessaJoy You mentioned somewhere else, but I can't find it now haha, that having multiple EF-RF adapters might be a good plan for lens swapping as it is a pain with one adaptor, that is actually quite genius, I hadn't thought of that, I was considering the RF 85 f2 lens because of the ease of the RF mount, I previously bought the f1.4 IS as I considered it to probably be the best FF 85mm lens ever made, maybe still is in some ways, at least sub $3k haha! I think I will buy it its own adaptor! :)
This lens is going to be very popular among RF shooters. I have an EOS R and am legit interested in it. Unfortunately saving up for the R5 takes precedence. The eye boogers line cracked me up!
Hey Vanessa, great video. I am on pre order for the r6 and on the market for a lens that can double as portrait and macro work. My macro focus is for events such as weddings for those awesome detail shots. I had my eye on the Canon 100mm L macro using adapter. But now debating if I should go with the RF 85mm. What would your choice be for, especially for a professional setting?
I have a 90mm 2.8 macro from Tamron for EF.. Would you recommend getting this one as well because it's native and can take advantage of the IBIS & on lens Stabilization? Or no.. stick with what I got? I can't afford the 85 RF 1.2 yet..
This is a great portrait lens option for sure, though keep in mind it’s not macro like a super close up macro, and if you already have a 90mm, I’d probably go for something a bit more different, like the 32mm 1.4
Very nice, I’ll happily take this lens for 85mm but for 50mm it’s the 1.2 & the trinity with 100-500 just as soon as I go on safari whenever travel resumes . Doing portrait & your photography in general do you use the EF 135 or would use an RF version? self confessed traitor who went to Nikon & loved its old 135 DC who brought the EOS R & loving it!
Canon is stepping up big time!!!! :) I'm a Nikon user so I admire from afar but watching your video has just reminded me and made me decide that I will use my 105mm 1.4 lens today with an aperture down from the 1.4 that I always keep my lens locked on. I've always wanted to ask you why in your videos you rarely shoot at your widest lens aperture and I'm seeing now that I miss more with focus shooting at 1.4 with my camera. I have a shoot this afternoon and I will stop it down to 1.8 or 2.0 and I'm hoping to get maximum sharpness and good focus. This 85mm performs well at 2.0 with bokeh so... Lesson learned. :) Thanks
The thing is that actually even with 1.2 lenses, it often not a good idea to actually use that. Portraits for example are often shot at 2.8-3.5 as you want the person to be in focus. With apertures below 1.8 you have such a shallow focus area that most thing won’t be sharp. Often you will notice when you get home to find out that many shots are ruined. Also, most lenses, with the expecting of the amazing RF lenses, are not really sharp at their widest opening and often also suffer from various optical problems. So its coming to step down around 3 stops which usually produces the best image quality. Lenses like the new RF 50 f1.2 or the 28-70 f2 are a expecting as those are also nearly perfect when shot wide open. But as a rule of thumb I would limit myself to shout not wider than 2.8 if you are unsure about it or even 3.5. you will be mich happier with most of your images in the end. If it gets dark and you open up the aperture to compensate, keep in mind that you may have to step away from your focus target to prevent everything beeing out of focus
@@Seitenwerk I hear you... When I'm in the studio I shoot at more narrow apertures but outdoors I'm shooting 2.0 and lower.. I like a shallow depth of field and yes. Sometimes I miss especially when I go down to 1.4 so as I write this I am finishing a shoot keeping my 105mm down to 2.8, 2.0 and 1. 8 and I'm very happy.. Nice bokeh with the compression and no misses from what I've seen.. 😊
Selling my 85 1.8 and 70-200 is usm ii to get some cash for the 85, 50 and 70-200 rf. So excited. I just have an RP but I love the feel of that camera more than my A7iii.
Hi ma'am, got my R6 yesterday, want to buy a portrait lens(non professional) for it... Canon rf 85 f/2 or canon ef 85 f/1.8 which is better on a budget as both come under almost similar price range.. Please suggest... I already have a tamron 90 mm f2.8macro lens
I really love that image. There is no other lens that lets you take that image because fast 85mm lenses cannot focus that close, and macro lenses don't have wide open apertures like that.
Vanessa Joy fair enough. Personally i dont use jpeg at all, so I was just curious. Is there a reason you just use the jpegs often? What benefit do they provide over the raw? Your photos are wonderful, so don’t take this as criticism, I’m just trying to learn :)
Nicholas Brown I’ll happily answer that. And I don’t think you’re criticizing, I get your question a lot! There are four reasons why I simultaneously shoot raw and JPEG. 1- so that I can back it up to an online gallery when I get home so that I have an offsite back up immediately after the job and a place to go look back for images that I need when I’m not at home and the raws aren’t edited yet (happens all the time) 2- so I can deliver preview images either the night of the wedding or right after a shoot. I do same-day edits (display images on an iPad and even print a little album) at weddings and use my JPEG‘s for that bc they’re faster to deal with and zero editing 3- so that I can use them in videos like this without having the extra work of post processing 4- so that when I’m teaching I can easily show what a straight out of camera image looks like instead of deceiving you with a ton of post-processing and confusing you with what the camera does vs what photoshop does :) Hope that helps!
Vanessa, did you have any comparison for ring shots between the EF 100mm 2.8L vs RF 85mm 2.0...I'm pretending to buy one of these but I didn't found any ring shots with the 85 2.0.
The USM series to which the EF 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 have always been hit-and-miss, with the 50 being horrendously soft (even when focus is on) at 1.4, and both have always had poor build quality. The 85 looks to share the genes of the RF 35mm 1.8 Macro, which, for the price is a sharp, well-built lens.
What I notice from my EF 85mm f/1.8 is that it has quite a bit of chromatic aberration. The samples in this video look a lot better. Still need to see dimension/size difference/comparison though.
I think the 85mm f1.8 is a hell of a lens, actually. It also focuses lightning quick on the R system. HOWEVER, I'd go with the RF all day because at medium telephoto, I normally need a macro lens to go along with a portrait lens if I want to get all the pictures I want at 85-100mm. With this lens, one lens does it all.
How good/bad would you say the chromatic aberrations are on the new rf 85mm f2? I don't want to be correcting every picture that isn't perfect lighting....
They both optically will be stellar and similarly priced (the Canon is a bit cheaper here). But ultimately, if you like blur/bokeh, you should probably get the Samyang because F2 might always make you feel like you want "more". A couple years ago I bought the Canon 35MM F2.0 IS and it was amazingly sharp and contrasty and accurate (AF), but after a few days I returned it to get the Sigma Art 35MM F1.4. As soon as I got that lens home and put in on my EOS-R I knew I made the right decision! IS didn't do much for me (barely noticeable in video either) but getting that extra shallow DOF and 1 extra stop of light was worth it.
@@77dris Yea I decided to go with the SamYang because of your point and also I thought it'd be the perfect chance to use the R5's IBIS for a situation such as this... enjoying a non IS lens using the cameras IBIS paired with the 1.4 :D
@@michaelbell75 yea i found some in stock on amazon! and yea its a trade off i'd take F1.4 with 5 stops IBIS vs F2 with 8 stops total of IS . Just happy that the 1.4 will get IS treatment thanks to R5 IBIS
Hi Vanessa! Greetings from Brazil!! Can i suggest another video? A comparison between RF 85mm f/2 Macro against EF 85mm f/1.2 L with adaptar on a mirrorless camera? Here in Brazil, an used 85mm EF 1.2L has a price similar to a brand new RF 85mm f/2. Thanks!
@@VanessaJoy well thats what im asking. Are those jpegs or did you edit them that way...and now I know you just edited them that way. Very simple answer to a simple question
@@burritobrosvideos8060 well they are jpgs, (I couldn’t shoot raw at the time) some have been slightly edited, and some are straight out of camera. Not quite as simple since there’s a mix and since they were shot jpg with a standard profile which doesn’t quite give the best skin tones 😉
Okay I need some help I'm looking into photography I'm looking at the r7 woth it being cropped how well does this lens work for it? Also how well would it work with continuous shooting for someone skateboarding?
Thanks for the review with samples. On the fence if I should sell my Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art and get this as the Sigma seems a bit heavy sometimes in certain situations. Seems like a great lens for moms..and dads too :p
Thank you for this review. I recently bought a canon R and I've been using my 24-105 f/4 for a little bit of everything but I seriously want to get something more for portraits. I'm debating between this or the EF 85mm f/1.8. Need some help.
If you have an R I’d get the RF glass personally but if it’s a budget decision the 85 1.8 is a good lens, though I do believe the quality of this one is a bit better
This one focuses WAY closer and gives you more possibilities for creativity. EF 85mm f/1.8 struggles to get tight composition because it has a really long minimum focus distance. Her selfie, for instance, would be impossible with the EF lens. Plus, RF gets you IS and better image quality. That said, you can get the mount adapter, 85mm f/1.8, and 50mm f/1.8 STM for about the same price as this lens by itself, so that's a thing to consider. For me, its worth it to get the newer lens because it also would keep me from buying a macro lens.
Vanessa , Soon I will be photographing the kids, birds , and sunrises with my new Canon R6. Overtime my goal is to acquire an entire set of the new Canon RF lenses. Which RF lens will be my first ?
Thank you for the test. Does "IS" in the lens really make a difference or IBIS on its own is really enough? Could you compare IS on and IS off with IBIS running on the RF 85 f2 macro lens?
@@VanessaJoy I cant decide between this and Samyang RF 85 f1.4 lens. Price and weight is similar. I could sacrifice IS for 2x more light if in camera IBIS really provide 5x stabilisation on it's own. I am ok with trading half macro mode for weater sealing. Already own 35 RF 1.8 macro and samyang 14mm very happy with both.
@@kamilkusmierski9203 The Samyang 85mm portrait lens can't focus under 2.95 feet (90cm). That's well beyond arm's reach. That means composition at 5:45 is completely impossible. Which might seem closer than you need for adult humans, imagine if you have a newborn or a pet and you want to get their faces to fill up the frame a little bit. The RF can focus at all the distances down to 1:2 macro.
Ok. Your visual guide (portfolio) it’s pretty good. With the word guide I was actually expecting some more theoretical writing/explanations how to work with individual clients, but I guess that’s the photographer own philosophy/approach how to deal with clients and in the specific situations/occasions. Nevertheless, thanks for your visual informations. Much appreciated.
Hi Vanessa. Very thorough, detailed review of this new Canon RF 85 f/2 Macro lens...thank you! As a landscape and product photographer currently using the Fuji X-System, I'm strongly considering going FF because I print large posters, and though my X-T3 with some very sharp Fujinon XF lenses does give good results at 24" x 36", I believe that I could get even better (sharper/more detailed) prints with a FF System. My big conundrum, is deciding between the Canon EOS R5 or R6 (with the RF 24-105 f/4 L and this RF 80 f/2 Macro, OR the Nikon Z7 System. My question is, have you tested/compared these 2 systems, and can you recommend one over the other, in terms of an improvement in sharpness/detail retention from my Fuji X-T3, in large poster prints? (Just not sure if going with the 20MP R6 would work for very large poster prints. Thank you, and BTW, your portraits are fantastic!
After seeing image after image you post, I am really pressed to wait until my birthday in April to switch to the RF ecosystem. I am going R5 though. By then new firmware updates should be released and I will have saved enough for the body and a couple of lenses. So impressive 👏 ... the lens and your post. BTW the eye bugar was a great detail illustration 👌
You talk about focusing of this lens a lot. But most of the time it's just the camera's job to do a good, fast focusing. All RF lenses have great autofocus when paired with the right camera (R6/R5 do the best job).
Not true at all. It’s a combination of both and the lens movement capability has a lot to do with it and a slow lens very much hinders that, which you usually suffer from in low light scenarios.
Thanks for doing this review! I've been wondering about this lens. You mention (a few times) this is a great lens for moms, but what about for weddings? Do you feel like it would be a decent lens to substitute for the 100mm macro because of its macro ability?
It doesn’t work at quite the same macro capability as the 100, but yes you could use this for weddings and portraits. I have a few portraits in there so you can see quality. I’ll take more when I get to use it again
As a wedding photog, the smallest object you'd likely want to get in some detail is the wedding ring. With a 1:1 macro lens, you can take pictures such that one ring would a little under half of the width in landscape.That's not really a useful photo, however. With this 1:2 macro lens, you'd be able to fill up about 1/4 of the width in landscape with one ring's diameter. I'm not sure I've ever seen a wedding picture where you needed to be more magnified than that. I would think you could leave the macro at home if you had this lens.
Thanks for this great review. I just think canon could add some weather sealing on this lenses (I know, L series are the best and only L can have everything) but for me, while traveling I would rather have this one and the 35mm eosR and the sealing would make it perfect for the use I do. For example, making the super heavy and bulky 28-70 f2 weather sealed instead of this one (or the 24-240 for example) does not make much sense for me in practical ways... other than trying to push you to more expensive (and normally heavy) lenses. Another point, for all the people that want to compare this to the f1.2, having not tried any of those lenses I would say that the 2.0 being lighter, smaller and having the macro (ok, lets say 1/2 macro) capacity it would make this lens a far better option for an "all arounder", even if you're a pro photographer (it makes me go back to the weather sealing...damm!).
Thanks Vanessa! Loved the video and your kiddos are adorable. I generally use the RF 70-200L for portraits of individuals and groups, but this lens might be even better for individuals when I can shoot completely wide open and the half macro feature could be very handy as I don't yet own a macro lens.
Vanessa Joy LOL yes!! “..hold still... hold your breath... and stop your heart from beating..”... “.. get a photo of yourself, and your super crisp eyelashes.. and wrinkles, and make-up clumping and all the rest of that... Enjoy that one - you’re welcome. I had to do my own makeup that day...” and “...I can even see his eye boogers... and his real boogers...” 🤣🤣💚 And these don’t include your Jersey Girl Tan comments, either!!!!
Loved the vid, Vanessa, and would love to see one in the future comparing the Rf 85 1.2 and this F2. Interesting that you were also using the new cameras. And maybe in the future we can see a comparison in photos between the EOS R and the R5/6. And the kids are beautiful.
I would love to see a comparison video of this lens and the RF 85 1.2
Also want to see
Yeah she made a review on that lense a couple months ago
both are different lenses
I can afford one
I won't ever be able to afford one
please don't compare 😀🙈
Better to compare EF85mm f1.8 non IS to RF85mm f2 IS
former is more affordable
and R5 n R6 already have IBIS
Or I'd like to see comparison against EF 85mm f1.4
@@drbeardo6960 Or Samyang RF 85mm f1.4
EF 85 1.4 , or RF 85 2.0? I know it sounds stupid. I already have the 1.4. But IS and macro capabilities. Hmmm. And it’s smaller
Terrific review and beautiful photography. Thank you!
Thanks so much!
So how does this compare to the RF85 1.2? I'm considering this instead of spending $2700 on the 1.2.
which is the better choice between sigma 85mm f1.4 or canon rf 85mm f2, please help me to choose, greetings from Indonesia
I haven’t tried the sigma so not sure 🤷🏻♀️
thank you very much for the advice, I have a canon r6 and I wanted you to recommend a lens between the rf 85mm f2 and the sigma art 85mm 1.4 Thank you
I would like to see how this would compare to the EF 85 1.8mm. I am hesitating which to get.
you feel so happy while looking at your kids photos~
Hello Master Vanessa:
Please help and give me some advice,
The camera I am currently using is Canon EOS R10,
The kit lens used with it is (RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM)
My main subject matter is toy photography.
The secondary shooting content is street photography or portrait photos.
Now I want to buy new lenses, after watching your video,
Want to compare between Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and RF85mm F2 Macro IS STM
After making a choice, I would like to ask you to give me some advice on which lens is more suitable for me? Thank you.
I'd probably get a true macro if you're doing toy photography and portraits. The RF100mm f2.8 macro would be ideal for you
thanks for your reply
🙏🙏🙏
Nice review but how did you get to post photos? none of the other reviewers are allowed to post photos on this lens yet not even dpreview- canon ambassador?
This is actually an extremely good lens with an amazing price for the RF mount. It's like the RF 35mm's big brother. If I didn't have the Sigma Art already I would have got this.
I dont know what to get. Sigma art or this 😬
@@LewisCannonMusic That's a tough call for sure. If you have to have the shallowest depth of field, the Sigma would be the way to go (or any other F1.4/F1.2 lens). I once bought the Canon 35mm F2.0 IS lens and took it back days later (despite that being a great lens) because I wanted the shallow F1.4 look (got the Sigma Art).
This would be GREAT though for macro shots, though, I don't think it's real 1:1 macro.
@@LewisCannonMusic Get this. Sigma lens is good but very heavy.
@@kashifswaynerobinson thanks for the advice
@@LewisCannonMusic Definitely get this lens. As I've pointed out in other comments, regular fast 85mm FF primes can't focus very close. And I don't mean macro. I mean, 85mm lenses normally can't focus at an arm's distance. So composition like 5:45 is impossible. Getting a newborn's or a house cat's face to fill up your picture is impossible. Product or close-up detail shots? Never close enough. I'm always fighting working distance with most 85mm portrait lenses on FF, not just because of composition, but because I hit the 2.8' minimum focusing distance. This is why I prefer medium telephoto macro lenses over fast portrait lenses, even though I don't do macro, but this will give me enough of both types of lenses to be perfect.
Hello Vanessa, I know allot of people are crazy about the new Canon glass, but for me it is what is making me not want to go back to Canon. the 50 and 85L are just crazy big and heavy, and the 85 f2 looks bigger and heavier than the Sony 85 f1.8 witch is a great lens for the money. I thought the old Canon L primes were to big and heavy. so what does Canon do for there smaller mirrorless system, they make all the glass even bigger and heavier. makes allot of sense, the only new lens of Canons that I think is really cool is the new 70/200 f2.8 L because of its size and weight. and the 85 f2 also seems nice. I get the feeling allot of professionally Canon photographers might buy that over the 85 L because of the size and weight. and just sacrifice f1.2, and it seems to have nice background blur for an f2 lens. so I don't agree that its for moms taking pictures of there kids. I wish Canon would make some fast glass that is not so crazy big and heavy. more like the new Samyang 85 f1.4 witch is so much smaller and lighter than the new L lens. I mean I am all for great f1.2 glass, but what was Canon thinking, same with the crazy heavy 28/70 f2. people all thought the Sigma 85 art was to big and heavy, so Canon decided to make there 85L way bigger and heavier than the Sigma, so yea Canon has some great glass that allot of people wont buy because of the weight. and for some people they wont buy because of the super high prices. I wish you took some really nice portraits with the 85 f2 instead of just snap shots. but I understand why you didn't, but the camera market is not the same as it used to be. some professionals are willing to give up f1.4 or f1.2. for f1.8 glass because of the weight. and get lenses like the great Sony Zeiss 55 f1.8 that is small and light.
Omg this lens needs to come out already. I've watched this video so much since nearly no one has used it yet lol.
haha it's such a good lens!
Great video! ive been looking for a nice macro lens for my Eos R and after chatting to the Canon live chat they told me about this lens which led me to your video! I think im going to go for it!
Vanessa. Can’t wait for this one. I’ve been logging my 85mm f1.2 but a lot of the times it’s an over kill and would love to have a lighter 85mm yet fast. I preordered along with my R5 as well can’t wait to shoot and review it on my channel 🤯
Gastón! So nice to see you here hahaha! Let us know when you have that 85!
@@Francisfphoto_ for sure I will! I'm not that lucky like Vanessa yet, so I have to wait :D
Gaston Shutters while you wait, try the Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 RF bro!!!
Was debating between this or the EF 85 f/1.8 USM. Just want the lens that will give me the sharpest photos with beautiful bokeh. What do you think?
If you have a mirrorless camera I’d go with this one
The RF mount is kicking A$$!
Does this lens extend when focusing or is it internal focusing design?
Do you think EF 85mm f1.4L IS better or this RF 85mm F2 IS?
Same question...
it depends on what you want to do with it. I think the EF 85 1.4 is optically better in every way since it is an L(colors, bokeh, sharpness). I have it on the 5DMKIV since it was introduced but with the EOS R and the Adapter i don't like how its balanced. The EF 85mm 1.4 is 950gr + Adapter and all weight on the front. I think the RF 85mm f2 STM is more an All-Day-Lens with its native RF mount and it only weights 500gr and have Macro capabilities.
85mm f1.4L for serious Portraits and Studio Work.. (not ment that you can't do serious work with the 85mm f2 STM but a bit better)
85mm f2 STM for any daily photos, like playing kids, vacation, walk around, macros..
@@stars7931 Thank you
Good for product photography?
Potentially
I was going to purchase the 85mm 1.2 L. But I decided to get the RF 24-70 2.8 L since I sold all of my EF lenses. Would it be stupid of me to purchase this lens owning the the 24.70?
I don’t think so :)
Thank you for making this video. It gives this newbie an idea of what settings to experiment with this fantastic lens. I appreciate you. Angel from The Bay Area, CA
Glad it was helpful!
I spy Asbury park!! haha I just got this lens today. So excited to use it!
You can get the rokinon 85mm 1.4 rf for only a hundred bucks more if more blur is desired
How does this compare to an adapted 85mm f1.4 L IS?
Ignoring the obvious size and price difference and assuming your budget is a little flexible and I suppose, you can forgo the closer focusing distance?
I’d say the adapted 1.4 has a bit higher quality :)
@@VanessaJoy You mentioned somewhere else, but I can't find it now haha, that having multiple EF-RF adapters might be a good plan for lens swapping as it is a pain with one adaptor, that is actually quite genius, I hadn't thought of that, I was considering the RF 85 f2 lens because of the ease of the RF mount, I previously bought the f1.4 IS as I considered it to probably be the best FF 85mm lens ever made, maybe still is in some ways, at least sub $3k haha! I think I will buy it its own adaptor! :)
This lens is going to be very popular among RF shooters. I have an EOS R and am legit interested in it. Unfortunately saving up for the R5 takes precedence. The eye boogers line cracked me up!
Agreed!
Hey Vanessa, great video. I am on pre order for the r6 and on the market for a lens that can double as portrait and macro work. My macro focus is for events such as weddings for those awesome detail shots. I had my eye on the Canon 100mm L macro using adapter. But now debating if I should go with the RF 85mm. What would your choice be for, especially for a professional setting?
Thanks for sharing! When will you be reviewing the samyang 85mm f1.4 R mount? Wondering how it compares with this one.
Hey, should I enable lens correction (distortion) in adobe lightroom for this lens with portraits of people?
I tend to
Now here's the question, this, or the EF 100 2.8L for macro work?
I have a 90mm 2.8 macro from Tamron for EF..
Would you recommend getting this one as well because it's native and can take advantage of the IBIS & on lens Stabilization? Or no.. stick with what I got?
I can't afford the 85 RF 1.2 yet..
This is a great portrait lens option for sure, though keep in mind it’s not macro like a super close up macro, and if you already have a 90mm, I’d probably go for something a bit more different, like the 32mm 1.4
@@VanessaJoy I'm still looking to get an awesome deal on the EF 135mm F2 L
Hello Vanessa. How do the EF and EFS lenses work on the R7 with IBIS . How many stops of IBIS do you get with them ? Thanks.
Whatever the camera has plus the lens I believe
How would this lens compare to the regular EF 85mm 1.8?
Better colors and IQ, plus you get macro and IS.
Very nice, I’ll happily take this lens for 85mm but for 50mm it’s the 1.2 & the trinity with 100-500 just as soon as I go on safari whenever travel resumes . Doing portrait & your photography in general do you use the EF 135 or would use an RF version? self confessed traitor who went to Nikon & loved its old 135 DC who brought the EOS R & loving it!
Currently I use my 135 with the adapter, and it works wonderfully, but if they come out with an image stabilized 135 and then I’m running to it
Canon is stepping up big time!!!! :) I'm a Nikon user so I admire from afar but watching your video has just reminded me and made me decide that I will use my 105mm 1.4 lens today with an aperture down from the 1.4 that I always keep my lens locked on. I've always wanted to ask you why in your videos you rarely shoot at your widest lens aperture and I'm seeing now that I miss more with focus shooting at 1.4 with my camera. I have a shoot this afternoon and I will stop it down to 1.8 or 2.0 and I'm hoping to get maximum sharpness and good focus. This 85mm performs well at 2.0 with bokeh so... Lesson learned. :) Thanks
The thing is that actually even with 1.2 lenses, it often not a good idea to actually use that. Portraits for example are often shot at 2.8-3.5 as you want the person to be in focus. With apertures below 1.8 you have such a shallow focus area that most thing won’t be sharp. Often you will notice when you get home to find out that many shots are ruined.
Also, most lenses, with the expecting of the amazing RF lenses, are not really sharp at their widest opening and often also suffer from various optical problems. So its coming to step down around 3 stops which usually produces the best image quality. Lenses like the new RF 50 f1.2 or the 28-70 f2 are a expecting as those are also nearly perfect when shot wide open.
But as a rule of thumb I would limit myself to shout not wider than 2.8 if you are unsure about it or even 3.5. you will be mich happier with most of your images in the end. If it gets dark and you open up the aperture to compensate, keep in mind that you may have to step away from your focus target to prevent everything beeing out of focus
@@Seitenwerk I hear you... When I'm in the studio I shoot at more narrow apertures but outdoors I'm shooting 2.0 and lower.. I like a shallow depth of field and yes. Sometimes I miss especially when I go down to 1.4 so as I write this I am finishing a shoot keeping my 105mm down to 2.8, 2.0 and 1. 8 and I'm very happy.. Nice bokeh with the compression and no misses from what I've seen.. 😊
I have the 85mm f2 lens and 50mm 1.8 do I still need the 50mm or the 85mm is ok?
Depends on what you’re photographing, and with what camera. I’d say the 50mm tends to be more versatile
question, can u suggest any affordable canon rf lenses that is good for street photography?
Depends on your style and what camera you’re using but the RF85mm f2 is a solid one IMO
Selling my 85 1.8 and 70-200 is usm ii to get some cash for the 85, 50 and 70-200 rf. So excited. I just have an RP but I love the feel of that camera more than my A7iii.
Did you see the new rf 50 1.8?!
Thanks Vanessa; great video but can you tell me please which editing software did you use for this vid?
Final cut :)
This one or 85 f1.4 ef lens with IS ???
This lens. I wouldn't buy an EF lens ever again unless it was dirt cheap. The RF lenses are quite superior.
Hi ma'am, got my R6 yesterday, want to buy a portrait lens(non professional) for it... Canon rf 85 f/2 or canon ef 85 f/1.8 which is better on a budget as both come under almost similar price range.. Please suggest... I already have a tamron 90 mm f2.8macro lens
the ef 85mm 1.8 has got a lot of chromatic aberration and the new rf f2 version has some coating to reduce the fringing
great vid, great lens
I love that IS and macro function.
Same!
6:00 self-burn is a sign of a healthy mind
Haha oh good I’m VERY healthy then
I really love that image. There is no other lens that lets you take that image because fast 85mm lenses cannot focus that close, and macro lenses don't have wide open apertures like that.
Hi (: Besides Image stabilization and AF/M, What do you have the other switch set to on the lens for everything but macro? Thanks!
Full ☺️
Does it really matter if you’re shooting with auto white balance when you should be shooting raw anyways?
I’m shooting RAW and L jpg and often use just the jpgs (like most of the photos you see here). So yes. I’d like it as correct as possible :)
Vanessa Joy fair enough. Personally i dont use jpeg at all, so I was just curious. Is there a reason you just use the jpegs often? What benefit do they provide over the raw? Your photos are wonderful, so don’t take this as criticism, I’m just trying to learn :)
Nicholas Brown I’ll happily answer that. And I don’t think you’re criticizing, I get your question a lot!
There are four reasons why I simultaneously shoot raw and JPEG.
1- so that I can back it up to an online gallery when I get home so that I have an offsite back up immediately after the job and a place to go look back for images that I need when I’m not at home and the raws aren’t edited yet (happens all the time)
2- so I can deliver preview images either the night of the wedding or right after a shoot. I do same-day edits (display images on an iPad and even print a little album) at weddings and use my JPEG‘s for that bc they’re faster to deal with and zero editing
3- so that I can use them in videos like this without having the extra work of post processing
4- so that when I’m teaching I can easily show what a straight out of camera image looks like instead of deceiving you with a ton of post-processing and confusing you with what the camera does vs what photoshop does :)
Hope that helps!
Vanessa Joy thanks so much! I appreciate your time and effort put into this reply. That makes it a lot more clear for me :) cheers!
Nicholas Brown my pleasure 😇
Vanessa, did you have any comparison for ring shots between the EF 100mm 2.8L vs RF 85mm 2.0...I'm pretending to buy one of these but I didn't found any ring shots with the 85 2.0.
The 85 is not that kind of macro...
What image library software is this? It looks nice, smooth and fast.
Photo mechanic. It’s amazing
@@VanessaJoy ah I have used before but mine looked different I will check it out again Thankyou
Hi! I have a question, the Canon RF 85mm IS f2 macro is " true" macro or like the 35mm f1.8 macro which is all in one ,but not true macro...?
Not a macro that you can photograph wedding rings with let’s just say
@@VanessaJoy Thank you very much!
Thanks for the video! Would love to see the macro compared to the ef 100mm f2.8
How does this lens compare to its EF Sibling - the EF 85mm 1.8 ? I guess thats the one this RF one is replacing.
The USM series to which the EF 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 have always been hit-and-miss, with the 50 being horrendously soft (even when focus is on) at 1.4, and both have always had poor build quality.
The 85 looks to share the genes of the RF 35mm 1.8 Macro, which, for the price is a sharp, well-built lens.
What I notice from my EF 85mm f/1.8 is that it has quite a bit of chromatic aberration. The samples in this video look a lot better. Still need to see dimension/size difference/comparison though.
@@NizarNoor that is most definitely a thing with the USM lenses. Good call.
I think the 85mm f1.8 is a hell of a lens, actually. It also focuses lightning quick on the R system. HOWEVER, I'd go with the RF all day because at medium telephoto, I normally need a macro lens to go along with a portrait lens if I want to get all the pictures I want at 85-100mm. With this lens, one lens does it all.
How good/bad would you say the chromatic aberrations are on the new rf 85mm f2? I don't want to be correcting every picture that isn't perfect lighting....
I'm torn between waiting for this or getting the Samyang RF 85mm 1.4 ahhhh any thoughts? 1.4 vs Macro and IS
They both optically will be stellar and similarly priced (the Canon is a bit cheaper here). But ultimately, if you like blur/bokeh, you should probably get the Samyang because F2 might always make you feel like you want "more".
A couple years ago I bought the Canon 35MM F2.0 IS and it was amazingly sharp and contrasty and accurate (AF), but after a few days I returned it to get the Sigma Art 35MM F1.4. As soon as I got that lens home and put in on my EOS-R I knew I made the right decision! IS didn't do much for me (barely noticeable in video either) but getting that extra shallow DOF and 1 extra stop of light was worth it.
@@77dris Yea I decided to go with the SamYang because of your point and also I thought it'd be the perfect chance to use the R5's IBIS for a situation such as this... enjoying a non IS lens using the cameras IBIS paired with the 1.4 :D
@@ecao86 Where did you find the Samyang in stock? You get 8 stops of stabilization with the R5 and the 85 IS rather than just 5 with the camera.
@@michaelbell75 yea i found some in stock on amazon! and yea its a trade off i'd take F1.4 with 5 stops IBIS vs F2 with 8 stops total of IS . Just happy that the 1.4 will get IS treatment thanks to R5 IBIS
@@ecao86 The EF version right? I cant find the RF version of it anywhere.
The RF 80mm F2 macro(ish) lens 👌🏽
Already preordered, but thanks for this video!
Have fun!
Not for just amateurs, I use it and went to a high-end photo school
So true
Very candid and creative thank you.
Can this lens be used for food photography as godly as the traditional 100mm macro 2.8?
no it's not that close up of a macro
@@VanessaJoy Thank you!
Hi Vanessa! Greetings from Brazil!! Can i suggest another video? A comparison between RF 85mm f/2 Macro against EF 85mm f/1.2 L with adaptar on a mirrorless camera? Here in Brazil, an used 85mm EF 1.2L has a price similar to a brand new RF 85mm f/2. Thanks!
I'm not a fan of the skin tone colors. Does canon always do that?
Or could be my editing preference 🤷🏻♀️
@@VanessaJoy well thats what im asking. Are those jpegs or did you edit them that way...and now I know you just edited them that way. Very simple answer to a simple question
@@burritobrosvideos8060 well they are jpgs, (I couldn’t shoot raw at the time) some have been slightly edited, and some are straight out of camera. Not quite as simple since there’s a mix and since they were shot jpg with a standard profile which doesn’t quite give the best skin tones 😉
@@VanessaJoy ok, I see. Thanks
Finally, an affordable and lightweight rf 85mm
Definitely selling my EF 85mm f/1.8 and upgrading to this. Stabilized and with a control ring? SOLD!
What's the name of the software that opened all those photos on?
Photo mechanic :)
Hi. Good review.
Nom, this lens or 1.4 art to replace my canon 1.8 ? I do studio and do not need is. 🤷♂️🤔
Okay I need some help I'm looking into photography I'm looking at the r7 woth it being cropped how well does this lens work for it? Also how well would it work with continuous shooting for someone skateboarding?
I think you’d prefer the r6 mark ii if you shoot skaters
Your little guy’s hair is so fun!
Haha thanks!
will the canon r5 use both the lens and inbody stabilization at the same time or do you have to pick one?
They both work together :)
They work together and you get 8 stops of IS rather than just 5
Did you say fast AF at the start? Not typical of my experience with it
Yes definitely fast for that level/line of lenses
@@VanessaJoy I find it a great quality lens but feel the AF is extremely slow
Hi how are you? Please could you let me know what the 3 swtiches are... AF/MF, IS &is it focus limiter, or a lock?
Wedding photography better r5 or r6
R5 for me
Please compare EF85mm f1.8 or 1.4 vs RF85mm f2 IS
The ef 1.8 would be a more apples to apples comparison :)
so so curious how this rf 85mm f2 compares to the ef 85mm f1.4
the ef 85 1.4 definitely has a better quality image :-)
Thanks for sharing!
You bet!
Lovely video!!! Enjoyed it. Is RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens better than this lens, please? Can anyone let me know? Thank you!
Yes it is “better” than this lens
@@VanessaJoy Appreciate your quick response!! Take care.
Thanks for the review with samples. On the fence if I should sell my Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art and get this as the Sigma seems a bit heavy sometimes in certain situations. Seems like a great lens for moms..and dads too :p
Haha great lens for a lot of ppl
Thank you for this review. I recently bought a canon R and I've been using my 24-105 f/4 for a little bit of everything but I seriously want to get something more for portraits. I'm debating between this or the EF 85mm f/1.8. Need some help.
If you have an R I’d get the RF glass personally but if it’s a budget decision the 85 1.8 is a good lens, though I do believe the quality of this one is a bit better
This one focuses WAY closer and gives you more possibilities for creativity. EF 85mm f/1.8 struggles to get tight composition because it has a really long minimum focus distance. Her selfie, for instance, would be impossible with the EF lens. Plus, RF gets you IS and better image quality. That said, you can get the mount adapter, 85mm f/1.8, and 50mm f/1.8 STM for about the same price as this lens by itself, so that's a thing to consider. For me, its worth it to get the newer lens because it also would keep me from buying a macro lens.
Vanessa , Soon I will be photographing the kids, birds , and sunrises with my new Canon R6. Overtime my goal is to acquire an entire set of the new Canon RF lenses. Which RF lens will be my first ?
Ooooo that’s a tough call. I use the 28-70 f/2 the most. Review coming out on that soon
The RF 24-105mm f4 . It’s less expensive as the other RF lenses and performs really well.
Roy Venema that’s a good idea
Roy Venema it definitely does and since he’s not shooting in low light, it seems, that’s a great solution. :)
Thank you for the test.
Does "IS" in the lens really make a difference or IBIS on its own is really enough?
Could you compare IS on and IS off with IBIS running on the RF 85 f2 macro lens?
Having IS in the lens works with IBIS in the camera to get even more stability. :)
@@VanessaJoy I cant decide between this and Samyang RF 85 f1.4 lens. Price and weight is similar. I could sacrifice IS for 2x more light if in camera IBIS really provide 5x stabilisation on it's own. I am ok with trading half macro mode for weater sealing. Already own 35 RF 1.8 macro and samyang 14mm very happy with both.
@@kamilkusmierski9203 The Samyang 85mm portrait lens can't focus under 2.95 feet (90cm). That's well beyond arm's reach. That means composition at 5:45 is completely impossible. Which might seem closer than you need for adult humans, imagine if you have a newborn or a pet and you want to get their faces to fill up the frame a little bit. The RF can focus at all the distances down to 1:2 macro.
Ok. Your visual guide (portfolio) it’s pretty good. With the word guide I was actually expecting some more theoretical writing/explanations how to work with individual clients, but I guess that’s the photographer own philosophy/approach how to deal with clients and in the specific situations/occasions. Nevertheless, thanks for your visual informations. Much appreciated.
Your link to Adorama doesn't work. Nice video.
Omgosh THANK YOU!! Is it good now??
Hi Vanessa. I'm new here. Congratulations. Can you tell us what software do you use to view the photos at the end of the video?
thanks
photo mechanic - it's a great program! and welcome :-) hope you stick around
Hi Vanessa. Very thorough, detailed review of this new Canon RF 85 f/2 Macro lens...thank you! As a landscape and product photographer currently using the Fuji X-System, I'm strongly considering going FF because I print large posters, and though my X-T3 with some very sharp Fujinon XF lenses does give good results at 24" x 36", I believe that I could get even better (sharper/more detailed) prints with a FF System. My big conundrum, is deciding between the Canon EOS R5 or R6 (with the RF 24-105 f/4 L and this RF 80 f/2 Macro, OR the Nikon Z7 System. My question is, have you tested/compared these 2 systems, and can you recommend one over the other, in terms of an improvement in sharpness/detail retention from my Fuji X-T3, in large poster prints? (Just not sure if going with the 20MP R6 would work for very large poster prints. Thank you, and BTW, your portraits are fantastic!
How well did the eye AF with R6 with this lens do?
Tracked my running two year old with no problem :)
@@VanessaJoy nice
After seeing image after image you post, I am really pressed to wait until my birthday in April to switch to the RF ecosystem. I am going R5 though. By then new firmware updates should be released and I will have saved enough for the body and a couple of lenses. So impressive 👏 ... the lens and your post. BTW the eye bugar was a great detail illustration 👌
The bokéh is butter 🧈 👌🏾👌🏾
Haha a line a friend of mine who used to work at Canon used once
Good review, Canon makes wonderful lenses
They really do!
You talk about focusing of this lens a lot. But most of the time it's just the camera's job to do a good, fast focusing. All RF lenses have great autofocus when paired with the right camera (R6/R5 do the best job).
Not true at all. It’s a combination of both and the lens movement capability has a lot to do with it and a slow lens very much hinders that, which you usually suffer from in low light scenarios.
Especially the photos are really cool
it has a nice ring to it
How much is it
Has anyone had issues with a weird warble / jumping?
No?
Thanks for doing this review! I've been wondering about this lens.
You mention (a few times) this is a great lens for moms, but what about for weddings?
Do you feel like it would be a decent lens to substitute for the 100mm macro because of its macro ability?
It doesn’t work at quite the same macro capability as the 100, but yes you could use this for weddings and portraits. I have a few portraits in there so you can see quality. I’ll take more when I get to use it again
As a wedding photog, the smallest object you'd likely want to get in some detail is the wedding ring. With a 1:1 macro lens, you can take pictures such that one ring would a little under half of the width in landscape.That's not really a useful photo, however. With this 1:2 macro lens, you'd be able to fill up about 1/4 of the width in landscape with one ring's diameter. I'm not sure I've ever seen a wedding picture where you needed to be more magnified than that. I would think you could leave the macro at home if you had this lens.
Thanks for this great review. I just think canon could add some weather sealing on this lenses (I know, L series are the best and only L can have everything) but for me, while traveling I would rather have this one and the 35mm eosR and the sealing would make it perfect for the use I do. For example, making the super heavy and bulky 28-70 f2 weather sealed instead of this one (or the 24-240 for example) does not make much sense for me in practical ways... other than trying to push you to more expensive (and normally heavy) lenses.
Another point, for all the people that want to compare this to the f1.2, having not tried any of those lenses I would say that the 2.0 being lighter, smaller and having the macro (ok, lets say 1/2 macro) capacity it would make this lens a far better option for an "all arounder", even if you're a pro photographer (it makes me go back to the weather sealing...damm!).
Thanks Vanessa! Loved the video and your kiddos are adorable. I generally use the RF 70-200L for portraits of individuals and groups, but this lens might be even better for individuals when I can shoot completely wide open and the half macro feature could be very handy as I don't yet own a macro lens.
aw thanks!
All good ~
Yayyy
What app arr you using to view the photos?
Would like to know that as well.... Vanessa, care to share?
Wow, canon its making the thing so good! Canon some day ill switch to you ♥
Thank you Vanessa for the video!
Best wishes from Argentina!
I found some chromatic aberation with this lens in some pics , whats your take on that ?
That happens regardless when shooting at low apertures. Lightroom or capture one can help, along with lens properties. I didn’t find it debilitating
@@VanessaJoy understood...that's for the reply :)
aceflibble I’m referring to it here as a numerically low number. Sry to confuse
How is yours not slow?!? I'm getting ready to sell mine because it is extremely slow :(
It’s not slow, but it’s also not as fast as the RF 1.2
Great review!!! And love your Vanessaisms!
Lol I have isms??
Vanessa Joy LOL yes!! “..hold still... hold your breath... and stop your heart from beating..”... “.. get a photo of yourself, and your super crisp eyelashes.. and wrinkles, and make-up clumping and all the rest of that... Enjoy that one - you’re welcome. I had to do my own makeup that day...” and “...I can even see his eye boogers... and his real boogers...” 🤣🤣💚 And these don’t include your Jersey Girl Tan comments, either!!!!
Stephen Davis LoL Omgosh you’re so right lol
I bet we could shoot a whole wedding with this "MOM lens" :-) combine it with the RF35mm and you'll be rocking your photo and video work!
Agreed