Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM
New Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM lens
Short telephoto stabilised 85mm f/1.4 lens
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Canon has announced the EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM lens.
It’s the first f/1.4 85m lens from Canon with the IS giving up to four stops of stabilisation
It has a 9 blade aperture and claims a dust and ‘weather resistant’ build.
It’s is scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1599.00/£1,569.99/€1,879.99
UK Press info
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 29th August 2017 – Canon today introduces four new lenses into its premium L-series range, offering enhanced creative opportunities for professional photographers and serious amateurs. Built on the high quality that Canon’s L-series lenses are renowned for, the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO and TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO offer incredible ease-of-use, durability and increased scope for photographic experimentation in perspective and scale [New TS-E news and info page].
Canon UK’s EF85/1.4L IS info page
Path to the perfect portrait
Created following feedback from photographers around the world, the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM has been designed to produce flattering skin tones and beautiful perspective for stunning portrait and wedding photography. Featuring a new 14 elements, 10 group, lens design, the EF 85mm includes high-quality, high-precision elements to correct chromatic aberration and to deliver the optical performance required by the latest high-resolution sensors. The quality of the image is further enhanced thanks to Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology. This ultra-low refractive index layer on the EF 85mm eliminates image flare and ghosting to ensure clear and attractive images.
The EF 85mm is equipped with an Electro Magnetic diaphragm, which uses a wide f/1.4 aperture comprised of nine blades. This allows the lens to capture an attractive “bokeh” look, which is essential for striking shots. The aperture is also capable of transmitting more light to boost exposure and depth-of-field control. This fast aperture performance is crucial for standout portraits where the subject is the key focal point. Photographers can also enjoy unparalleled stability via the EF 85mm’s 4-stop image stabilisation, which prevents camera shake from ruining images. The combination of image stabilisation and fast aperture make the EF 85mm perfect for use in videography.
The EF 85mm has a high-speed ring type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) driven Auto Focus (AF), which works with the lens CPU and the camera’s AF algorithms to provide fast and accurate AF. The USM driven AF is also completely silent, which supports a photographer’s ability to shoot great images discreetly at events such as weddings. The AF also features a full-time manual override and is compatible with the entire family of Cinema EOS cameras.

The lens also benefits from the enhanced durability provided by Canon’s L-series lens construction. Thanks to the EF 85mm’s weather sealing, dustproofing and fluorine coating, this lens has been specifically designed for tough and variable weather conditions.
The complete package of features included in the EF 85mm makes this lens the perfect tool for all portrait photographers. It’s perfect for anyone who needs a versatile telephoto lens that can cope with many situations including weddings, events, studio or indoor/outdoor photography.
EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM key features:
- Advanced optical design provides exceptional image quality
- Large, bright aperture for a focused performance in all light levels
- Smooth and precise 4-stop image stabilisation
- Responsive, high-speed and precise AF for rapid focusing agility
- Durable construction and excellent weather resistance
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 85 mm |
| Image stabilisation | Yes (4 stops) |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 10 |
| Special elements / coatings | One moulded glass aspherical element + air sphere and fluorine coatings. |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.85 m (33.46″) Magnification: 0.12 Magnification with Extension Tube EF12 II: 0.26-0.15 Magnification with Extension Tube EF25 II: 0.43-0.33 |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Ring-type ultrasonic |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | Yes |
| DoF scale | No |
| Focus distance limiter | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 950 g (2.09 lb) |
| Diameter | 87 mm (3.43″) |
| Length | 105 mm (4.13″) |
| Materials | Magnesium alloy |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 77.0 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes Type ET-83E |
| Tripod collar | No |
Construction

MTF

| A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution) > Canon's guide to their MTF charts) | |
| Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 - Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution |
Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines - Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. |
| Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures. | |
IS fuctionality
US Press info
New Canon EF Lenses Support a Variety of Photography Applications including Architecture, Portrait, Food and Landscape
MELVILLE, N.Y., August 29, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens as an addition to the Company’s existing 85mm focal-range lens line-up and three new Tilt-Shift macro lenses: the TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro lens, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens. Canon also announced a new Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT flash. These new products will help provide both advanced amateur and professional photographers the unique photography tools for a variety of applications and solutions including architecture, landscape, food, product and portrait photography.
“Creating a powerful, timeless image requires more than just a camera. It requires high-quality, well-crafted optics and flashes to capture compelling photography,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., “These new lenses along and the Macro Twin-Lite flash will continue to push the boundaries and expand the possibilities of what advanced amateur and professional photographers capture and share with the world.”
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens
Canon EF 85mm focal-length lenses are traditionally very sought-after options for portrait photographers. With that in mind, Canon is expanding its EF 85mm line up with the introduction of the new Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM; the first Canon EF 85mm lens to feature image stabilization, providing up to four stops* of shake correction for smooth and crisp imagery.
The EF 85mm utilizes one large diameter, high-precision molded glass aspherical lens and features an ASC coating. The large f/1.4 aperture produces shallow depth-of-field, fast shutter speeds and a bright image inside the viewfinder, allowing photographers to focus and compose their image reliably. In addition, a circular aperture with 9-blade iris allows for beautiful bokeh.
The New Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 L IS USM is scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1599.00††.
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