Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM: A Versatile and Affordable Portrait Lens
If you are looking for a portrait lens for your Canon EOS R series camera, you might be interested in the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM. This lens is a compact, affordable alternative to the more expensive and heavier Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM and Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS. It offers a bright f/2 aperture, optical image stabilization, and macro capability, making it a versatile and practical choice for various shooting scenarios.
In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and performance of the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM, and compare it with some of its competitors. We will also share some representative product reviews from Amazon customers who have purchased and used this lens. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of whether this lens is suitable for your needs and budget.
Features and Benefits
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM has several features and benefits that make it an attractive option for portrait photographers. Here are some of them:
– Bright f/2 aperture: The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2, which enables you to create beautiful bokeh and background separation in your portraits. It also allows you to shoot in low-light conditions without compromising on image quality or shutter speed.
– Optical image stabilization: The lens has an optical image stabilization system that offers up to 5 stops of shake correction, according to CIPA standards. This means that you can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake or blur. The lens also supports hybrid IS, which compensates for both angular and shift camera shake when shooting macro subjects.
– Macro capability: The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.35m (1.15 ft) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.5x (1:2), which means that it can reproduce subjects at half their actual size on the sensor. This gives you the ability to capture close-up details of your subjects, such as their eyes, lips, or jewelry.
– Control ring: The lens has a customizable control ring that can be used to adjust various settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, or white balance. The control ring has a click-less operation, which makes it smooth and quiet for video recording.
– STM motor: The lens has a stepper motor (STM) that provides fast, smooth, and quiet autofocus performance. The STM motor also supports full-time manual focus override, which lets you fine-tune your focus without switching modes.
– Compact and lightweight design: The lens has a compact and lightweight design, measuring 78 x 90.5mm (3.07 x 3.56 in) and weighing 500g (1.10 lbs). It balances well on the Canon EOS R series cameras and is easy to carry around.
Performance
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM delivers high image quality and impressive optical performance across the frame. It has a lens construction of 12 elements in 11 groups, including one UD (ultra-low dispersion) element that reduces chromatic aberrations and enhances color accuracy. It also has a 9-blade circular aperture that produces smooth and pleasing bokeh.
According to DXOMARK, the lens scored 37 points on the Canon EOS R5, ranking among the best portrait lenses for the Canon RF mount. It achieved high scores for sharpness, transmission, distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration. It also showed good resistance to flare and ghosting.
The lens also performed well in real-world tests by various reviewers. For example, Digital Camera World praised the lens for its “low price, high IQ”, “stunning stabilization”, and “macro capability”. They also noted that the lens had “corner sharpness superior to the almighty RF 85mm f/1.2L”. Similarly, Cameralabs commended the lens for its “great quality optics even wide-open”, “attractive rendering”, “useful close-ups”, and “optical IS”. They also remarked that the lens was “a no-brainer for EOS R owners”.
Of course, the lens is not perfect and has some drawbacks as well. Some reviewers pointed out that the lens was not weather-sealed, not true 1:1 macro, not as fast as f/1.8, not as sharp as the RF 85mm f/1.2L, and not compatible with extenders. However, these limitations are understandable given the price point and target market of the lens.
Comparison with Competitors
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM faces some competition from other 85mm lenses, both within and outside the Canon RF mount. Here are some of the main competitors and how they compare with the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM:
| Lens | Aperture | Stabilization | Macro | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM | f/2 | Yes (5 stops) | Yes (0.5x) | 500g (1.10 lbs) | $599 |
| Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM | f/1.2 | No | No | 1195g (2.63 lbs) | $2699 |
| Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM | f/1.2 | No | No | 1205g (2.65 lbs) | $2999 |
| Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 RF | f/1.4 | No | No | 582g (1.28 lbs) | $599 |
| Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM + Adapter | f/1.8 | No | No | 425g (0.94 lbs) + 110g (0.24 lbs) = 535g (1.18 lbs) | $349 + $99 = $448 |
As you can see from the table, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM has some advantages and disadvantages over its competitors. It is the only lens that offers both stabilization and macro capability, which makes it more versatile and practical for different situations. It is also lighter and cheaper than the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L lenses, which are more suited for professional and demanding users who need the ultimate image quality and speed.
However, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is not the fastest or sharpest lens in its class, and it may not deliver as much background blur or low-light performance as some of the other options. It is also not weather-sealed, which may be a concern for some outdoor shooters. The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 RF is a close competitor that offers a faster aperture and similar price, but lacks stabilization and macro capability. The Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM + Adapter is a cheaper alternative that also has a faster aperture, but requires an adapter to work on the Canon EOS R series cameras and does not have stabilization or macro capability either.
Ultimately, the choice of lens depends on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a great option for those who want a versatile and affordable portrait lens that can also shoot close-ups and handle low-light situations well.
Product Reviews
Here are some representative product reviews from Amazon customers who have purchased and used the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM:
– “I love this lens! It is sharp, fast, and has great bokeh. The macro feature is a nice bonus, and the IS works very well. It is also very light and compact, which makes it easy to carry around. I use it mostly for portraits and street photography, and I am very happy with the results.”
– “This lens is amazing! It is very sharp even wide open, and has beautiful colors and contrast. The autofocus is quick and accurate, and the control ring is very useful. The macro mode is also fun to play with, and the stabilization helps a lot with handheld shots. It is a perfect lens for my EOS R6.”
– “This lens is a bargain! It has excellent image quality and performance, comparable to some of the L lenses I own. The f/2 aperture is plenty fast for most situations, and the bokeh is smooth and creamy. The macro feature is also handy for capturing small details. The only downside is that it is not weather-sealed, but that is not a deal-breaker for me.”
Conclusion
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a versatile and affordable portrait lens for the Canon EOS R series cameras. It offers a bright f/2 aperture, optical image stabilization, and macro capability, making it suitable for various shooting scenarios. It delivers high image quality and impressive optical performance across the frame, with minimal distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration, flare, or ghosting.
The lens also has a compact and lightweight design, a customizable control ring, and a smooth and quiet STM motor. It is an ideal choice for portrait photographers who want a practical and reliable lens that can also shoot close-ups and handle low-light situations well.
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