Product Description

The L-series is Canon's flagship professional lens range, designed and built to meet the needs of the most demanding professional photographers. The superb optics of the EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM and other L-series lenses represent the pinnacle of optical performance, enabling focal length/speed/quality combinations not readily attainable using traditional optical technologies. In addition to optimised lens shaping to reduce reflections and the use of anti-reflective material inside the lens barrel, the EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM employs Canon's patented Super Spectra lens element coatings. These suppress flare and ghosting - more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 1056B002
• Released on: 2006-03-31
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 5.00" w x 5.00" l, 1.50 pounds

Features

• f1.2 maximum aperture
• Ring-type UltraSonic motor (USM)
• EF mount; medium telephoto lens
• High-speed AF and circular aperture create shallow depth-of-field
• 111mm focal length for APS-H sensors, 136mm for APS-C sensors

Amazon.com Product Description
Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L lens, this revamped medium telephoto lens employs a ring-type Ultra Sonic Motor (USM), high-speed CPU, and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed that's approximately 1.8x faster than the original. This high-speed autofocus system combines with the circular aperture to create a shallow depth of field that brings attention to the subject and blurs the background, an ideal effect for portraits and weddings. In addition, the lens's floating optical system includes an aspherical lens element that suppresses aberrations and produces an excellent imaging performance.

Specifications

• Focal length: 85mm
• Maximum aperture: f/1.2
• Lens construction: 8 elements in 7 groups
• Angle of view: 28 degrees @ 30 feet
• Focus adjustment: Autofocus with full-time manual
• Closest focusing distance: 3.2 feet
• Filter size: 72mm
• Dimensions: 3.6 inches in diameter and 3.3 inches long
• Weight: 36.2 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

From the Manufacturer
Retaining the impressive optical performance and large aperture of the original EF 85mm f1.2L USM, this new medium telephoto lens uses a ring-type USM, high-speed CPU, and optimized algorithms to achieve an autofocus speed approximately 1.8x faster than the original. The high-speed AF and circular aperture create a shallow depth-of-field that brings attention to the subject and blurs the background, which is ideal for portraits and weddings. The floating optical system, which includes an aspherical lens element, suppresses aberrations and ensures excellent imaging performance.

Customer Reviews

Save your money
I dont see what all the raving is about, this lens is not so hot. Bad chromatic aberration, its slow to focus, and it is tough to calibrate. Add to that it also does not allow tight portraits because of the poor minimum focal distance. Get the 135mm f/2, you can stand closer and you are already optically closer so you can get a much tighter portrait, and the IQ is top notch. This lens is not worth $1800. It pales in comparison to the Nikon 85mm 1.4. If you must have 85 for portraits buy the Nikon adapter and use the 85mm 1.4 from nikon, it is half the price so you still get off cheaper and the optical quality is top notch, one of Nikon's sharpest lenses and let's face it. Nikon is a better lens company than Canon.

The tool you must Have!
Wow! Last time I've been so trigger happy was when I got my first DSLR.
This is an amazing imaging tool. The quality of the bokeh... the colors and sharpness is just beautiful...
This is a gem... anyone thinking about it should simply get it.
New bodies will upgrade... lenses like these will upgrade slowly... and can be used for years to come.
Sure it's a little heavy and a little slow to focus... but the upside is too great to NOT have this in your tool box.
This is for sure my favorite lens.

Superb bokeh but lacking in autofocus speed.
I will spare you all the detail of prior reviews as I believe they have probably all rehashed the superb qualities of this lens. It excels at portraiture and superb smooth bokeh that makes your jaw drop. Even your out of focus shots hold a mystique from that dreamy bokeh that makes you go back and look at them over and over again.

Where this lens is lacking is in its autofocus speed. Moving all of that glass is not fast and this is certainly no autofocus sports lens. This is where I knock 1 star off. If Canon can improve the autofocus speed on this lens then it is without a doubt deserving a 5 star rating. Even without it however, when applied to the proper subject matter this is a superb lens.

BTW: I have given this lens the nickname of Glass Sphere. When you pick it up for the first time the heft you feel makes it feel light you're holding a solid sphere of expensive glass...