Prioritizing bokeh, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lensis a unique portrait-length prime, characterized by its flattering focal length, exceptionally bright maximum aperture, and advanced optical design. Differentiating itself from Canon's other RF 85mm f/1.2 lens, this version features a DS (Defocus Smoothing) coating that helps to soften and smooth the bokeh quality when working at wider aperture settings, making it particularly suitable for shallow depth of field applications.

Beyond the bokeh-optimized design, the optical layout of this lens incorporates a Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element; a specially developed element that helps to nearly eliminate chromatic aberrations and color fringing for notable clarity and color accuracy. In addition to this, an ultra-low dispersion element and one aspherical element are also featured to further control various aberrations and distortion for great sharpness and resolution. Individual elements also feature an Air Sphere Coating to suppress flare and ghosting for high contrast and color fidelity when working in bright and backlit conditions.

Complementing the imaging capabilities is an apt ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, which delivers fast, near-silent autofocus and full-time manual focus override. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself.

RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16    Defocus Smoothing Coating for Soft Bokeh    Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element    One UD Element, One Aspherical Element    Air Sphere Coating    Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System    Customizable Control Ring    Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Portrait-length prime is designed for full-frame Canon RF-mount mirrorless digital cameras.

Exceptionally bright f/1.2 maximum aperture affords extensive control over depth of field for selective focus applications and also benefits working in low-light situations.

Defocus Smoothing coating helps to achieve an especially soft and smooth bokeh quality when working at wide aperture positions. While this coating softens the look and feel of the out-of-focus regions in an image, sharpness is still retained on the in-focus portions for noticeable subject separation and an overall three-dimensional quality. The effect is greatest when working at f/1.2, however the DS coating requires approximately 1.3 stops more exposure than the standard version of the lens when shooting wide open. By f/3.2, the two versions of the lens have nearly identical light transmission and performance.

Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element virtually eliminates color fringing and chromatic aberrations by refracting shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum (blue light).

One aspherical element and one UD element also help to control aberrations and distortions for sharper, clearer image quality.

An Air Sphere Coating (ASC) has been applied to lens elements to reduce backlit flaring and ghosting for maintained light transmission and high contrast in strong lighting conditions.

Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), along with optimized focusing algorithms, a high-speed CPU, and an internal focusing design, is employed to deliver fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override.

Configurable Control Ring can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation.

As a member of the esteemed L-series, this lens has a weather-resistant design that protects against dust and moisture to enable its use in inclement conditions.

Rounded 9-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How's work with EOS RP?

A: This lens works very well on the RP.

Q: 2. How is "defocus smoothing" different from an apodization filter? Does defocus smoothing slow the lens down in all apertures, or just wide open?

A: The defocus smoothing helps balance the front bokeh with the rear bokeh. With regular lenses, there is often more blur in the front and less in the rear. The focus speed cannot be determined yet since the lens has not yet shipped. The testing of the pre-production model did not show any obvious slowness in the focusing.

Q: 3. Is this lens good for astrophotography?

A: It all depends on the type of composition you prefer shooting. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens angle of view is 28° 30' which may be too narrow for Astrophotography compositions. I will recommend starting with a 35mm. There aren't any Canon L series 35mmprime lenses yet. Canon has a 15-35mm ultra wide angle lens on the RF L series.

Q: 4. What size cine gear will fit on the focus ring of this RF 85mm f/1.2L lens? Need the focus ring circumference in mm.

A: The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens has a diameter of 103.2mm (4.06") and a circumference of 324.2mm (12.8").

Q: 5. So, after reviewing the MTF data, looks incredibly sharp, but how is the bokeh? MTF suggests it might be a bit soft, I presume that is why they are releasing the DS version later this summer?

A: This lens has a very good bokeh and it is a very sharp lens

Q: 6. What is the difference between canon RF 85f1.2 DS and RF85f1.2

A: The DS model would offer de-focus smoothing for soft bokeh.

Q: 7. What size ND filter should I get to attach to this lens?

A: The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens has 82mm front filter threads and would use 82mm neutral density filters.

Q: 8. Is the focusing fast enough for indoor sports like basketball or volleyball paired with the R3 body?

A: Yes, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens on the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera is great for sports photography. The high image quality and bright aperture of f/1.2 excels in difficult lighting conditions.

Q: 9. Does this come with a hood?

A: Yes , Canon ET-89 Lens Hood

Q: 10. I am torn between the 85 and the DS. I am wanting to shoot Street photography with this lens, however I also need fast low light f1.2 for night Street. I do want bokeh and traditional bokeh from a 50 f1.2 is good enough. I'm leaning toward the standard 85 versus the DS as I don't want to lose a stop. Suggestions ?

A: Unless you want "Defocus Smoothing" at all times when shooting at f/1.2, I would say the normal Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens will be more versatile than the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lens. But, it's a completely personal decision based on your own esthetics.