p.1 #1 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
So, I've come back to Canon after being on Nikon for the past bit, and I've rebuilt most of my kit. One thing missing is a portrait prime in the 85-100mm range, and I'm a bit conflicted in this realm. One potentially dumb thing I did is sell my copy of the RF Samyang 85mm f/1.4 a few months ago, and now I wish I had it back, but aside from braving the eBay lottery for one of those, I'm looking at the RF 85mm f/2 and adapting the EF 85mm f/1.2L II.
I don't shoot portraits nearly as much as I did a few years ago, so I really don't want to spend more than $600-$700. I'd likely buy used for both, so we're talking around $500 for the RF 85 vs ~600-700 for the EF 85. I am not going to up the budget here and go for an 85/1.4 VCM or even the EF 85/1.4L, as they're much more than I want to spend.
I've owned the RF 85/2 and enjoyed it quite a bit, and I've also owned the version I of the EF 85L, but that was 17 years ago, and on a 1D Mark II / 1Ds Mark II. I know the 85L will focus much more accurately on R bodies, but for those who own and use it now, is it as reliable on focus as the RF glass is, specifically with shallow depth of field EyeAF? How do you find the CA in real world use? I'm not going to be using it for action photography, so we're talking predominantly static portraits, and the occasional walking type shot, so AF speed I'm not particularly concerned about.
I have seen Gordon Laing's video comparing the two, which made me lean 85L, but I'd still like a few additional data points for those who may have used both on an R body, and I flip flop between having the faster aperture and more unique rendering and the compact size and clean CA control of the RF. The macro capability of the RF is of less primary importance since I also have the RF 100L Macro (which I'm also currently using for portraits, but I'd like something a bit faster).
p.1 #2 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
They are two different tools. I would go for the RF f/2 simply because of its size and weight (and IS).
The best instrument is always the one you take with you – don’t leave it at home.
p.1 #3 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
I am an early adopter to the EF 85/1.2 L II and used it with various Canon DSLRs with the 5Ds being the latest. I also have the R6MKII. It definitely focuses much faster and more accurately with the R6MKII with the Canon EF-RF adapter. The extent of my action shots are the subject walking briskly towards and away from me and her twirling around. It keeps up with those movement.
As to the used prices, I didn't realize that it is that low. After a beach shoot earlier last year the 85 didn't focus anymore so I took it to Canon Canada to have it repaired. It was costly (~CAD$ 1700) but Canon did a fantastic job and the lens looks like it is brand new.
The only drawback with this lens is in some lighting conditions it will produce that dreaded purple fringing. However, it could be corrected on Photoshop/DEXO PL 9 Elite that I use.
Here are some shots over a month ago. I think next time I should wear something dark because when I focused on her eye I can see my white shirt :-)
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
1/2000s f/1.2 at 85.0mm iso100
p.1 #4 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
I've owned all three of the EF85/1.2 and EF85/1.4 lenses and those F1.2 lenses are hit or miss on focus while the F1.4 is a beautiful lens. If budget doesn't permit, my experience with the Sigma 35/1.4 would motivate me to look at their 85mm offering.
Aug 22, 2026 at 09:38 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
Jman13 wrote:
So, I've come back to Canon after being on Nikon for the past bit, and I've rebuilt most of my kit. One thing missing is a portrait prime in the 85-100mm range, and I'm a bit conflicted in this realm. One potentially dumb thing I did is sell my copy of the RF Samyang 85mm f/1.4 a few months ago, and now I wish I had it back, but aside from braving the eBay lottery for one of those, I'm looking at the RF 85mm f/2 and adapting the EF 85mm f/1.2L II.
I don't shoot portraits nearly as much as I did a few years ago, so I really don't want to spend more than $600-$700. I'd likely buy used for both, so we're talking around $500 for the RF 85 vs ~600-700 for the EF 85. I am not going to up the budget here and go for an 85/1.4 VCM or even the EF 85/1.4L, as they're much more than I want to spend.
I've owned the RF 85/2 and enjoyed it quite a bit, and I've also owned the version I of the EF 85L, but that was 17 years ago, and on a 1D Mark II / 1Ds Mark II. I know the 85L will focus much more accurately on R bodies, but for those who own and use it now, is it as reliable on focus as the RF glass is, specifically with shallow depth of field EyeAF? How do you find the CA in real world use? I'm not going to be using it for action photography, so we're talking predominantly static portraits, and the occasional walking type shot, so AF speed I'm not particularly concerned about.
I have seen Gordon Laing's video comparing the two, which made me lean 85L, but I'd still like a few additional data points for those who may have used both on an R body, and I flip flop between having the faster aperture and more unique rendering and the compact size and clean CA control of the RF. The macro capability of the RF is of less primary importance since I also have the RF 100L Macro (which I'm also currently using for portraits, but I'd like something a bit faster).
Would you consider a manual focus lens? Personally, I picked up a Zeiss Milvus 85 f/1.4. It isn't small but it controls CA very well and has to my eyes a lovely rendering with beautiful bokeh and with the focus aids and the Canon EF to R adapter (I have the control ring adapter that as a bonus lets you use the control ring to control aperture) works very well on RF cameras including wonderful Eye AF with the focus aids. I paid $525 for my copy, so you should be able to find one in your price range.
And if you wanted to try mine out, then you are more than welcome to borrow it. We both live in Columbus and even though we have never met it ought to be easy enough to meet up and let you borrow it for a week or so.
I have the RF 85 f/2 and I love that lens as well, but not so much for portraits.
p.1 #6 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
Steve Spencer wrote:
Would you consider a manual focus lens? Personally, I picked up a Zeiss Milvus 85 f/1.4. It isn't small but it controls CA very well and has to my eyes a lovely rendering with beautiful bokeh and with the focus aids and the Canon EF to R adapter (I have the control ring adapter that as a bonus lets you use the control ring to control aperture) works very well on RF cameras including wonderful Eye AF with the focus aids. I paid $525 for my copy, so you should be able to find one in your price range.
And if you wanted to try mine out, then you are more than welcome to borrow it. We both live in Columbus and even though we have never met it ought to be easy enough to meet up and let you borrow it for a week or so.
I have the RF 85 f/2 and I love that lens as well, but not so much for portraits....Show more →
I already have a manual focus 85/1.4 that is quite nice but i find I don’t focus fast enough to make portraits really feasible for whoever I’m shooting. Definitely need AF.
Aug 22, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
Jman13 wrote:
I already have a manual focus 85/1.4 that is quite nice but i find I don’t focus fast enough to make portraits really feasible for whoever I’m shooting. Definitely need AF.
Since you require AF, it really is too bad you sold your RF Samyang. They are pretty hard to find, but you might also consider the EF mount AF Samyang 85 f/1.4 with one of the Canon EF to RF adapters. They are much easier to find and although not exactly the same as the RF version to my eye has many of the same strengths and weaknesses and it is definitely within your budget. The advantage of the EF version is that I think the danger of the lens not working with firmware updates is smaller than with the RF version. I think the protocols for EF lenses won't change, but they might for RF lenses.
p.1 #8 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
Jman13 wrote:
I already have a manual focus 85/1.4 that is quite nice but i find I don’t focus fast enough to make portraits really feasible for whoever I’m shooting. Definitely need AF.
You cannot beat the 85II for pure IQ, but if you want a more well rounded lens take a look at the EF 84 1.4L IS. Good combo of IQ, AF, size, etc. I've owned most of the 85's for reference and this is how I would rate them for strictly IQ:
85LII
Sigma Art 85 1.4
RF 85 1.2L
EF 85 f/1.4L IS
85L
However, I sold all of them and I'm using the Samyang Rf 85 f/1.4 because as you know it's a lightweight gem.
p.1 #9 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
jojib wrote:
I am an early adopter to the EF 85/1.2 L II and used it with various Canon DSLRs with the 5Ds being the latest. I also have the R6MKII. It definitely focuses much faster and more accurately with the R6MKII with the Canon EF-RF adapter. The extent of my action shots are the subject walking briskly towards and away from me and her twirling around. It keeps up with those movement.
As to the used prices, I didn't realize that it is that low. After a beach shoot earlier last year the 85 didn't focus anymore so I took it to Canon Canada to have it repaired. It was costly (~CAD$ 1700) but Canon did a fantastic job and the lens looks like it is brand new.
The only drawback with this lens is in some lighting conditions it will produce that dreaded purple fringing. However, it could be corrected on Photoshop/DEXO PL 9 Elite that I use.
Here are some shots over a month ago. I think next time I should wear something dark because when I focused on her eye I can see my white shirt :-)
Thanks. How accurate has the 85L been on your R6 II? Are you hitting on the eye nearly every time? Any systemic focus issues at all? One of the things I like about Canon is how deadly accurate the EyeAF is.
p.1 #10 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
Jman13 wrote:
Thanks. How accurate has the 85L been on your R6 II? Are you hitting on the eye nearly every time? Any systemic focus issues at all? One of the things I like about Canon is how deadly accurate the EyeAF is.
It's very accurate and also quicker on the R6MKII than the 5Ds. Even in backlit situations, I didn't notice it hunt for focus. As to the eye focus/subject recognition---yes I get the square on the eye. Obviously if I am too far from the subject it won't give me that eye AF confirmation---but it is still accurate.
The only factor that would make me hesitate in buying a used 85LII is if it gets broken because as I mentioned the repairs (at least on mine) are very expensive. For the amount I paid I could have added $ 100 or so and picked up a brand new RF 85/1.4 VCM lens. But I really wanted an f/1.2 so I decided to have it repaired.
p.1 #11 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
artsupreme wrote:
You cannot beat the 85II for pure IQ, but if you want a more well rounded lens take a look at the EF 84 1.4L IS. Good combo of IQ, AF, size, etc. I've owned most of the 85's for reference and this is how I would rate them for strictly IQ:
85LII
Sigma Art 85 1.4
RF 85 1.2L
EF 85 f/1.4L IS
85L
However, I sold all of them and I'm using the Samyang Rf 85 f/1.4 because as you know it's a lightweight gem.
The EF 85L v1 and v2 were optically identical except for coating improvements applied to the v2. The only other change that would have affected the look of images was the addition of rounded aperture blades. Were those changes enough to move it from last to first on your list?
I had the v1 and inquired with Canon Canada whether they could install the new aperture in my lens, as IMO the straight-edged blades were the most significant bokeh buzzkill aspect of that lens. They wouldn't do it, unsurprisingly, for whatever reason.
But I did like that lens and used it for ~15 years until I got the 85/1.4L IS. Not so much for better image quality reasons, but more for the IS and faster AF. Better across-frame sharpness wide open, veiling flare resistance, lower LoCA and rounded aperture blades were also welcome improvements for certain situations. Its more neutral rendering was a wash. I thought it was OK, but it wasn't what compelled me to get it. It was however a criticism many had of the 85/1.4 when it was first released. But now that's the look of so many lenses from pretty much every brand...
One issue I did have with the 85/1.4L IS, was that with the R5II, I noticed some flakiness with image stabilization. I'm not sure if it was also the case with my other R series cameras, which were either 20 or 24MP. Maybe it was but was less noticeable at lower resolutions. With the R5II (I use it virtually always in e-shutter), particularly with vertical photos, there was a much higher degree of difficult to explain poor sharpness that looked like camera shake, but even at relatively high shutter speeds such as 1/500. At this point I already wasn't using the lens very much on the R series and didn't dedicate the time to properly pinpoint the problem. My guess was that something wasn't communicating properly between the camera and lens to fully optimize the IS system, resulting in performance that actually degraded image quality. I probably should have tested it with IS turned off to see if it made any difference. But I no longer have the lens and was considering the 85 VCM for a smaller, lighter option. But I'm also kind of waiting to see what, if anything Canon does with a fast 100mm prime, which I actually prefer for candid portraits, and it would pair better with a xx-70 standard lens. Just mentioning this as a heads up for other 85/1.4L IS users adapting this lens to the R system, to keep an eye out for odd results even when shutter speed should be high enough. It could have just been my copy, or my technique.
p.1 #12 · RF 85mm f/2 or EF 85mm f/1.2 II for portraits
rscheffler wrote:
The EF 85L v1 and v2 were optically identical except for coating improvements applied to the v2. The only other change that would have affected the look of images was the addition of rounded aperture blades. Were those changes enough to move it from last to first on your list?
I had the v1 and inquired with Canon Canada whether they could install the new aperture in my lens, as IMO the straight-edged blades were the most significant bokeh buzzkill aspect of that lens. They wouldn't do it, unsurprisingly, for whatever reason.
But I did like that lens and used it for ~15 years until I got the 85/1.4L IS. Not so much for better image quality reasons, but more for the IS and faster AF. Better across-frame sharpness wide open, veiling flare resistance, lower LoCA and rounded aperture blades were also welcome improvements for certain situations. Its more neutral rendering was a wash. I thought it was OK, but it wasn't what compelled me to get it. It was however a criticism many had of the 85/1.4 when it was first released. But now that's the look of so many lenses from pretty much every brand...
One issue I did have with the 85/1.4L IS, was that with the R5II, I noticed some flakiness with image stabilization. I'm not sure if it was also the case with my other R series cameras, which were either 20 or 24MP. Maybe it was but was less noticeable at lower resolutions. With the R5II (I use it virtually always in e-shutter), particularly with vertical photos, there was a much higher degree of difficult to explain poor sharpness that looked like camera shake, but even at relatively high shutter speeds such as 1/500. At this point I already wasn't using the lens very much on the R series and didn't dedicate the time to properly pinpoint the problem. My guess was that something wasn't communicating properly between the camera and lens to fully optimize the IS system, resulting in performance that actually degraded image quality. I probably should have tested it with IS turned off to see if it made any difference. But I no longer have the lens and was considering the 85 VCM for a smaller, lighter option. But I'm also kind of waiting to see what, if anything Canon does with a fast 100mm prime, which I actually prefer for candid portraits, and it would pair better with a xx-70 standard lens. Just mentioning this as a heads up for other 85/1.4L IS users adapting this lens to the R system, to keep an eye out for odd results even when shutter speed should be high enough. It could have just been my copy, or my technique. ...Show more →
I shoot into the sun a lot with backlit portraits so I like the flare of the 85II better than the 85 as it's just enough character while preserving contrast. And then the RF 85 went too far and killed all character with too much flare control. Also, even though IQ is similar with both I like the additional contrast with harsh lighting, but you also have to consider the AF of the 85II as a part of IQ if you are shooting moving subjects. You'll get many more sharp keepers with movement with the 85II. So for me, the 85II is a sharper lens, due to more sharp keepers with its better AF.
As for the EF 85 f/1.4L IS, I never had any problems with it on my RF bodies.
