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Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

A high-performance hybrid 85mm portrait lens with stunning sharpness, soft bokeh and a bright f/1.4 aperture for dramatic photos and video.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RF 85MM F1.4L VCM

Designed for creators shooting both stills and video, this versatile prime lens is ideal for portraits, weddings and low-light scenes. Explore the key features that set it apart.

Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

  • Dedicated Iris Ring4

    Enjoy seamless manual aperture control when filming

  • 85mm prime lens

    A signature portrait lens focal length for elegant compression of facial features

  • Wide f/1.4 aperture

    Brilliant performance in low light, with outstanding separation of your subject and background

  • 11-blade circular aperture

    Capture beautiful bokeh and cinematic starbursts

  • Edge-to-edge sharpness

    UD lens and aspheric lens elements, plus Super Spectra and ASC coatings for exceptionally sharp images

  • Voice Coil Motor5 (VCM)

    Delivers fast, precise focusing and minimal focus breathing, with manual focus override

  • Filter thread

    Extend creative options with a convenient 67mm filter size

  • Control Ring

    For quick control over camera settings

  • Uniform hybrid design

    Consistent handling alongside other Canon hybrid full-frame prime lenses

  • Lens Function button

    Customisable control for intuitive shooting

  • Lightweight design

    Weighs just 636g, providing assured handheld shooting and easy video rigging

  • L-series weather sealing3

    Professional dust- and water-resistant construction, plus a fluorine coating on the front element

A PORTRAIT CLASSIC, REINVENTED

With a flattering perspective, fast f/1.4 aperture and L-series optics, the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM is built for distinctive portrait photography. Smooth VCM5 focusing, an Iris Ring4 and minimal focus breathing make it a filmmaker’s dream too.

A PROFESSIONAL 85MM PRIME LENS FOR HYBRID SHOOTING

Razor-sharp focus, a fast f/1.4 aperture and 11 iris blades for luxuriously soft background blur make the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM one of the best portrait lenses for creative photography and filmmaking.

Portraits

The ideal portrait lens focal length of 85mm ensures a natural look, plus artistic depth-of-field control and incredible sharpness.

Weddings and events

Capture the moments that matter with ease, thanks to a fast maximum aperture and responsive autofocus.

Short film and documentary

Move effortlessly between stills and video, with intuitive manual lens controls and swift, near-silent operation.

Dusk to dawn

Leverage the wide f/1.4 aperture for bright images, stop down for striking starburst effects from the 11 aperture blades.

SUBLIME DEPTH. PURE PRECISION.

The RF 85MM F1.4L VCM’s fast f/1.4 maximum aperture lets you shape your shots with fine depth-of-field control.

Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

Taken with EOS R5 Mark II and RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

  • f/1.4
  • 1/640
  • 100

Every portrait becomes a masterpiece

A flattering 85mm focal length and uncompromising optical quality make the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM ideal for portraiture. Aspherical and UD elements plus advanced coatings ensure crisp portraits and soft backdrops.

Exceptional artistic freedom, even in low light

Enjoy creative depth-of-field control and brilliant low-light performance for stills and video, thanks to an ultra-wide f/1.4 maximum aperture and cinematic 11-blade iris.

Taken with EOS R5 Mark II and RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

  • f/1.4
  • 1/200
  • 200

Lightweight design with effortless handling

Work instinctively with a lens that shares the uniform design of the F1.4 hybrid prime range. At around half the size and weight of the RF 85mm F1.2L USM, the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM is built for shooting on the move.

Focus on emotion with rapid precision

Bring spontaneous moments into sharp relief thanks to high-speed VCM5 AF technology. The powerful AF actuator ensures controlled video focus pulls, with minimal focus breathing for a professional look.

Taken with EOS R5 Mark II and RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

  • f/1.4
  • 1/160
  • 200

Fluid control for hybrid artistry in stills and video

Adapt the lens to suit your shooting style, with a customisable Lens Control Ring and Lens Function Button. An Iris Ring4 offers smooth aperture control for video, as well as stills with selected cameras.

Professional build and reliability

Keep on shooting when the conditions turn against you, thanks to L-series construction with an oil-repellent fluorine coating and well-placed weather seals to protect against dust and moisture3.

FOCUS WITHOUT DISTRACTION

This video shows the lens’s minimal optical focus breathing capability when pulling focus (with ‘digital’ Focus Breathing Correction turned ‘OFF’ in the camera)

Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

Specifications

  • 85mm hybrid prime lens

    A short telephoto focal length that’s ideal for flattering portraits

  • Fast, bright f/1.4 aperture

    Achieve superb subject separation and bright, clean shots in low light

  • VCM focus motor

    Drives smooth, quick and quiet autofocus

  • Custom button and Control ring

    Convenient customisation for extra control over camera settings

  • Dedicated Iris Ring

    Provides intuitive manual filmmaking control

  • 11-blade circular aperture

    For cinematic bokeh and highlights

  • Aspheric and UD elements

    Exceptional sharpness where you need it most

  • L-series

    Professional construction and refined optical design

See full specification

RF 85MM F1.4L VCM COMPARED

A quick at-a-glance guide to see how the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM compares to other RF 85mm full-frame prime lenses.

RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM

RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM

RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

RF 85MM F1.4L VCM

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

Focal Length

85mm
85mm
85mm

AF Type

STM
VCM5
Ring USM

Optical Image Stabilizer1

5-Stops
N/A
N/A

Diaphragm Blades

9
11
9

Iris ring4

No
Yes
No

Special Optics

1 x UD
1 x UD, 1 x Gmo Aspherical
1 x UD, 1 x Aspherical, 1 x Blue
Spectrum Refractive

Coatings

Super Spectra
ASC, Super Spectra
ASC, Super Spectra

Fluorine

No
Yes (Front)
Yes

Minimum Aperture

f/29
f/16
f/16

Closet Focusing Distance

0.35m
0.75m
0.85m

Maximum Magnification

0.50x
0.12x
0.12x

Dust & Moisture Resistance3

No
Yes
Yes

Filter Type

67mm
67mm
82mm

Max. Diameter x Length2

78 x 90.5mm
76.5 x 99.3mm
103.2 x 117.3mm

Weight

500g
636g
1195g

  1. Tested under CIPA standards. Lenses released after July 2024 tested under CIPA-2024 standard in the yaw/pitch (+ roll in case of IBIS) directions at maximum focal length, with a specific camera.
  2. Lens dimensions when in retracted state.
  3. Lenses with dust/moisture resistance are fitted with a rubber ring on the lens mount which may cause slight abrasion of the camera mount. This in no way effects either the lens or camera performance.
  4. Various limitations apply to some cameras; we recommend installing the latest Firmware update on your camera for best performance. Even with latest Firmware update on EOS R, RP, Ra, R3, R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R100 and EOS R5C when shooting still photos, the aperture value cannot be set using the iris ring.
  5. Important: The Voice Coil Motor in the lens emits a low-level magnetic field. While generally safe to use, we advise consulting your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any other medical device to address any concerns. When the lens is not connected to the camera or when the camera is off may cause internal noise from the lens’s components. This is normal and not a malfunction. Minor movements during transportation do not affect performance.
  6. Specifications are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to modify or update product features and specifications at any time without prior notice.

RF 85MM F1.4L VCM vs EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

See how the RF 85MM F1.4L VCM delivers a significant leap in performance compared to the L-series EF portrait lens.

RF 85MM F1.4L VCM

EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

What’s in the box

  • RF 85MM F1.4L VCM Lens

  • Lens Hood ET-73C

  • Lens Case LP1219

  • Lens Cap E-67 II

  • Dust Cap RF

  • User Manual

Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Ratings & Reviews

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  1. All data is based on Canon standard testing methods except where indicated.
  2. Subject to change without notice.