Best Canon 85mm Lenses: Top Picks for Every Budget and Need

Introducing the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM, a game-changer for macro enthusiasts and portrait photographers alike. We put this lens through its paces to bring you an in-depth review of its features, performance, and overall value for money.

The first thing that caught our eye was its stunning optical quality. With a maximum aperture of f/2, the lens delivers breathtaking bokeh, isolating subjects beautifully while creating a soft, feathered background. Its sharp focus and lifelike colors ensure that your images are brimming with detail and depth. The macro capabilities of the lens are equally impressive, allowing you to capture intricate details and textures with crystal-clear precision.

Prepare to elevate your portrait photography with the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens. This exceptional lens boasts an ultra-wide F1.2 aperture, granting you unparalleled control over depth of field. Witness breathtaking background blur that accentuates your subjects with alluring bokeh. Combined with its advanced autofocus system, you can capture crisp, sharp images with impeccable subject tracking. Whether it's capturing intimate portraits, stunning fashion editorials, or captivating weddings, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM empowers you to unlock the full potential of your photography.

Canon's RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens excels in low-light scenarios, allowing you to shoot confidently in dimly lit environments. Its remarkable optical quality ensures exceptional sharpness and clarity, preserving every detail and enhancing the beauty of your portraits. However, it's important to note that the lens's substantial weight may require some adjustment during extended use, and its premium price point may not suit all budgets. Nevertheless, for photographers seeking the best portrait lens, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM remains an unrivaled choice, delivering breathtaking images that will leave a lasting impression.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a remarkable medium telephoto lens designed specifically for Canon SLR cameras. With its superb optical quality and versatile focal length, it's an ideal choice for photographers seeking stunning portraits. The lens boasts an impressive maximum aperture of f/1.8, enabling you to create beautiful bokeh and isolate subjects from the background. Its ultrasonic motor (USM) ensures fast, quiet, and precise autofocus, ensuring you capture every moment without missing a beat.

One of the key strengths of the Canon 85mm is its exceptional sharpness and clarity. It renders images with stunning detail and contrast, making it perfect for capturing the nuances of facial expressions and emotions in portraits. The lens's ability to produce gorgeous bokeh adds to its appeal, allowing photographers to isolate subjects and create a sense of depth and atmosphere in their images. Additionally, its relatively lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry and handle, making it an excellent choice for both studio and on-location shooting.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens is a remarkable piece of equipment designed specifically for portrait photography enthusiasts. With its stunning sharpness and wide f/1.8 aperture, it produces images that are both crisp and visually captivating. The USM autofocus system ensures lightning-fast and precise focusing, making it perfect for capturing fleeting moments in all their glory.

Weighing in at just 1 pound, the 85mm f/1.8 USM is a compact and lightweight lens. It is a delight to use and handle, even for extended periods. Additionally, the affordable price point makes it an accessible option for aspiring photographers looking to elevate their portrait photography game. While there may be a few minor drawbacks, such as fixed focal length and potential chromatic aberration, the overall performance and value of this lens far outweigh any perceived shortcomings.

Unleash Your Portrait Potential

The Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens is a must-have for portrait photographers seeking unparalleled image quality. Its wide f/1.4 aperture creates a shallow depth of field, resulting in stunning bokeh that isolates your subjects and makes them pop. The lens's optical performance is equally impressive, delivering sharp, detailed images withminimal distortion or chromatic aberration.

Precision and Performance

Beyond its optical prowess, this lens boasts a lightning-fast autofocus system that locks onto your subjects with accuracy and speed. The built-in Image Stabilization (IS) further enhances your shooting experience by compensating for camera shake, ensuring sharp images even in low-light conditions. Whether you're capturing candid moments or meticulously staged portraits, the Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens will help you achieve stunning results.

The Canon 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens is a renowned masterpiece among portrait photographers. Its exceptional image quality, combined with its ultra-fast f/1.2 aperture, makes it an ideal choice for capturing breathtaking portraits with unparalleled sharpness and creamy bokeh. The lens delivers stunning performance throughout the entire aperture range, ensuring exceptional detail and clarity in both wide-open and stopped-down shots.

The f/1.2 aperture allows for incredible control over depth of field, enabling you to isolate your subject from the background with stunning precision. This feature is particularly valuable in low-light conditions, where the lens's exceptional light-gathering capabilities shine through. Additionally, the 85mm focal length provides a flattering perspective, ideal for capturing portraits that emphasize natural facial features and expressions.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens is a remarkable medium telephoto lens esteemed for its exceptional optical performance and versatility. Designed for Canon SLR cameras, it boasts an impressive f/1.8 maximum aperture that excels in low-light situations, artfully isolating subjects and producing beautiful, blurred backgrounds. The lens's superior optics deliver consistently sharp, high-resolution images with stunning clarity and accurate color reproduction.

Ideal for a variety of photography genres, including portraits, events, and artistic expression, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens empowers photographers to capture breathtaking images with precise control over depth of field. Its durable construction and intuitive design ensure dependable performance even in demanding conditions. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, this exceptional lens will elevate your photography to new heights, unlocking your creative potential to capture unforgettable moments with remarkable precision and artistic flair.

The Canon 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is a premium optic designed for professional photographers seeking exceptional image quality. It features a fast f/1.4 aperture, allowing for beautiful bokeh and low-light shooting. The lens delivers remarkable sharpness and detail, capturing every nuance and texture with precision. The HSM autofocus motor ensures quick and accurate focusing, making it ideal for capturing fast-paced moments or portraits with precise focus. Constructed with high-quality materials, this lens is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. Despite its exceptional image quality, the lens is relatively affordable, making it an excellent value for photographers looking for a top-notch 85mm lens.

Whether you're a portrait photographer seeking stunning headshots or a wedding photographer capturing intimate details, the Canon 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is an exceptional choice. Its combination of sharp optics, fast autofocus, and a beautiful bokeh effect makes it a versatile and reliable tool for professional photographers.

The Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens is a great lens for portrait photography. It's got an f/1.2 aperture, so low light performance is great. Colors are vibrant, and the bokeh is great.

One thing to note is that the lens is a bit large, and it can be heavy to carry around. Also, for some people, 85mm might be too long of a focal length for portraits. It really depends on your preference.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a legendary portrait lens known for its exceptional image quality and versatility. Its f/1.4 aperture allows for beautiful background blur and stunning low-light performance. The built-in Image Stabilization technology compensates for camera shake, ensuring sharp images even when shooting handheld. The L-series construction guarantees durability and resistance to harsh conditions. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is an exceptional choice for capturing breathtaking portraits with stunning clarity and depth of field.

This renewed lens has been meticulously inspected and refurbished by Canon to meet their rigorous quality standards. It offers the same exceptional performance and reliability as a new lens at a more affordable price. Whether you're just starting your photography journey or seeking to upgrade your lens collection, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is an excellent investment that will elevate your portraiture to new heights.