Canon sells two editions of its RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens. We reviewed the premium RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS ($2,999) last year, and are following up with a look at the standard edition, priced at $2,699. It omits the Defocus Smoothing filter, an optical element that changes the way background blur shows in images and reduces light transmission. Photographers who work in challenging light may prefer the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM, and it's nearly as fantastic a performer as its twin. We give preference to the rendering of the DS version, our Editors' Choice winner.

F1.2 Optics

The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM is fairly squat, coming in at 4.6 by 4.1 inches (HD). It's hefty too, at 2.6 pounds, with a big front glass element that takes 82mm front filters. That's the cost of a lens that gathers as much light as this one does. If you want a lighter prime for portraits, the RF 85mm F2 Macro weighs just 17.6 ounces and can be had for around $600.

The low-cost 85mm F2 isn't an L series lens, though, so it's not built to the same standards. The 85mm F1.2 includes dust and splash protection and its front element is protected with anti-smudge fluorine, all absent from the 85mm F2.

On-lens controls are pretty basic. The 85mm F1.2 includes an AF/MF toggle switch, a manual focus ring, and a programmable control ring. The latter clicks as it turns—if you prefer silent operation, you can have Canon adjust it for a $79.99 fee.

An autofocus limiter switch is included, too. You can set the lens to look for subjects at any distance or limit focus to subjects about five feet (1.5m) from the camera and farther. It's useful as the autofocus system isn't instant; it takes about a second to move drive across the focal range.

Manual focus works well. The focus ring turns comfortably, with just enough resistance to make fine adjustments practical. There is some visible breathing, a change in angle that shifts along with focus. It's something to think about if you're using the lens for video; it's not a good fit for shots that track a subject moving to or from camera, or for focus racks.

Focus is available as near as 2.8 feet (85cm). It doesn't put the the lens into macro territory; the 85mm F2 is a better fit there. At the nearest focus distance it projects objects at 1:8.3 life-size, and when coupled with the wide aperture photos show an incredibly shallow depth of field.

In the Lab

I paired the RF 85mm F1.2 with the 45MP EOS R5 for testing. The pair delivers resolution that's very good for the R5's sensor at its widest apertures (3,800 lines), nets excellent results by f/2 (4,250 lines), and is outstanding by f/4 (4,900 lines). We did note some chromatic aberration—purple color fringing—in shots at f/1.2, an effect the DS version of the lens avoids.

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Details hold up to the edges, though depth of field will blur them away at wider apertures. There's no distortion visible in shots, and while you'll see a vignette when working in Raw format, your camera's JPG engine and Raw processors like Adobe Lightroom compensate for it automatically.

The difference between this edition of the RF 85mm and the DS edition is in the background blur—the bokeh. This standard version draws defocused highlights like most other lenses, with a slight cat's eye effect toward edges and corners when used at f/1.2 or f/1.4, and circular highlights across the frame at smaller f-stops.

Generally speaking, the DS edition shows background that's a bit softer, with less definition. It comes at a cost—the lens is $300 more and it gathers less, with the light transmission (t-stop) closer to f/2 wide open. The DS shows a bit more contrast at its widest apertures too, resulting in higher resolution scores in our lab tests.

For Low-Light Mavens

Portrait specialists working with the Canon EOS R system have a pair of fantastic lenses to choose between in this focal length. Get the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM if you work in really dim light. If naturally lit, interior portraits or astrophotography is your bailiwick, you'll be drawn to this one.

But for everyone else, the extra $300 for the Defocus Smoothing edition of the lens is money well spent. Its images have a bit more contrast at wide apertures, the background blur is more pleasing, and it still gathers plenty of light, while netting the ultra-thin depth of field look that only an f/1.2 lens can capture.

If the DS lens didn't exist, I'd be more apt to recommend this one. It's still an L series model, with the sublime optics and performance you expect from Canon. It's a notable upgrade from the aging EF 85mm F1.2L II for Canon SLRs for sure.

But it competes with the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS. That fancier version of the lens costs a bit more, $2,999 instead of $2,699, but it's a worthwhile premium.

Thanks to LensrentalsLensrentals for providing equipment for this review.