Canon, a company that’s been in camera lens business for several decades has just unveiled its highest resolution lens here in Kenya – the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Speaking at the launch, the company touted how its commitment to photographers led to the creation of its latest generation 85mm f/1.2L lens, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Its offering the highest resolution of a Canon lens launched to date and features a super-fast aperture as well as outstanding AF speeds. This comes after the company announced back in February its intention to release six RF mount lenses this being the first one. And having been endorsed by the company’s Europe Ambassador Félicia Sisco, this definitely looks like it’s going to be a busy year targeting photographers for the technology giant.
Just how impressive is the resolution of the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Camera Lens
In technical language, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Camera Lens are specially designed for the EOS R system, which is basically a proprietary term used by Canon to refer to pioneering lens mount which offers greater creative possibilities and even more dynamic ways of capturing every moment. The lens will provide photographers with sophisticated tools that enhance their skills by capturing those moments without limitations. The development of this lens is said to have emanated from not only technological advancements but as well as user feedback. The lens therefore enhances image quality and communication between the lens and the full-frame mirrorless camera body.
The 85mm short telephoto lens provides the ideal focal length for portraits and a flattering perspective for faces. Besides EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM is the only camera lens from the manufacturer that utilizes its unique BR optic technology, which effectively corrects axial chromatic aberration that is not completely correctable with a combination of traditional glass lenses. This in turn improves the overall image resolution and sharpness. And to achieve amazing optical performance, the aspherical and UD lens elements are utilized to reduce lens aberrations.
Captures Images at amazing speeds and quality
Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Camera Lens features some of the fastest aperture autofocus capabilities from the manufacturer amongst its mirrorless lineup of cameras. It combines a short telephoto length and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, to create the fast f/1.2 aperture that produces stunning shallow depth of field, bokeh and background separation. This lens work by making the image subject leap from the image, whilst the nine-aperture blade system enhances the subject against the smoothly blurred background, which is ideal for portraiture photography. On the other hand, the ultra-wide aperture transmits 50 per cent more light than an f/1.4 lens ensuring it achieves decent images even in most challenging lighting conditions. Thanks to the lens, focus can be achieved swiftly and accurately even when objects are moving around. Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens comes with a new microprocessor, which uses a new high-performance CPU and firmware to increase data transfer, resulting in faster operation and AF, allowing the photographer to capture split-second moments.
Exceptional handling and durability
Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM comes with a control ring – where settings are programmable to TV, AV, ISO and exposure setting. This adds new capabilities in customizations that are essential in wedding photography where settings are expected to be perfect for candid moments and beautifully modelled shots. The lens also comes with a full-time manual focus ring, which is used to manually focus on subjects by turning the focusing ring, without the need to switch to MF mode. The L-series weatherproofing seals the lens to protect against adverse weather conditions when shooting outdoors or on location.
speaking on the development, award-winning wedding photographer and Canon Ambassador, Félicia Sisco added that as a wedding – and portrait – photographer, she needed to be able to trust her tools so that she may focus on the subject and tell their story. She also noted that having used Canon’s iconic 85mm 1.2 lens for over 20 years it has the speed and wide-aperture which guarantees beautiful images, even in low light.
RF 85mm F1.2L USM Key Features:
- Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM is an extreme high-performance lens
- Utilizes its 85mm focal length capability to provide flattering perspective ideal for portraits
- Very Large f/1.2 aperture with 9-aperture blade for superior low light performance and smooth background blur
- The BR optics (Blue Spectrum Refractive optics) are used to reduce chromatic aberration ensuring the highest image quality
- Aspherical and UD elements ensure the highest resolution across of the image
- USM motor for smooth, near-silent operation
- Control Ring – giving direct control over Tv/Av/ISO settings
- ASC (Air Sphere Coating) prevents flare and ghosting from deteriorating image quality