Canon 85mm lens brings hybrid versatility
Posted on Sep 9, 2025 by Adam Duckworth
The latest RF-mount portrait lens offers a fast f/1.4 aperture and cutting-edge autofocus in a lighter design built for both stills and video shooters
Canon has announced the £1680 RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM, a professional portrait lens designed for today’s hybrid photographers and filmmakers. Slotting into Canon’s expanding RF prime range, it delivers classic 85mm rendering in a lighter, more versatile package.
Weighing just 636g and measuring under 100mm in length, the RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM is around half the size and weight of Canon’s RF 85mm f/1.2L USM. Despite its portability, the lens offers uncompromising quality, with an advanced optical design that combines UD and aspheric elements with Super Spectra and ASC coatings to ensure sharpness and control aberrations.
The wide f/1.4 aperture gives portrait shooters smooth subject separation and striking bokeh, further enhanced by an 11-blade circular diaphragm. Canon’s new Voice Coil Motor (VCM) autofocus technology delivers fast, silent and precise focusing, while also minimising focus breathing – a key advantage for video work.
For filmmakers, the lens includes a smooth-action iris ring, a customisable control ring and a dedicated lens function button, making it a flexible tool on set. Consistent design across Canon’s RF f/1.4 hybrid primes also means it integrates seamlessly into multi-lens workflows.
As with all Canon L-series lenses, durability is assured. Weather sealing and a fluorine coating protect against the elements, ensuring reliable performance at weddings, events and outdoor shoots.
Find more information at Canon.com
