As the first medium telephoto lens in Canon’s f/1.4L VCM photo-video hybrid prime lens series, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM blends stunning professional quality optics and filmmaker-friendly usability with the intimacy and compression of the 85mm look.
1. The focal length that turns portraits and objects into stories
The focal length that turns portraits and objects into stories
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/160 sec)/ ISO 100
The 85mm focal length makes portraits come alive. It sees faces as they are — natural, undistorted, beautifully balanced — and renders them with just enough compression to pull the background close and add depth, but never enough to distract. The effect is like placing your subject in the spotlight, where their personality, gestures, and expressions tell the story. And because you can work from a comfortable distance, you’re free to capture half-length portraits or intimate close-ups without intruding — allowing every glance, every smile, every fleeting moment to unfold naturally in front of your lens.
Now imagine the stories you can tell with cinematic f/1.4 bokeh and professional-grade optics with beautiful colours, all within a compact, lightweight body that allows you to reframe, reposition, and discover new compositions effortlessly. That’s all possible with the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM—Canon’s first 85mm photo-video hybrid prime lens.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/250 sec)/ ISO 100
At 85mm, you can capture headshots and close-ups of facial expressions from a distance that’s far enough to remain respectful yet close enough for easy communication with the subject.
More than just portraits of people
The same strengths that make 85mm lenses so good for capturing people also benefit other subjects. Harness the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM’s faithful shape reproduction to showcase products and capture detail shots; make use of its reach and bokeh to present candid moments from the unseen observer’s point of view, classic cinema-style.
Amazing close-ups
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/80 sec)/ ISO 100
With its 0.75m closest focusing distance and 0.12x maximum magnification, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM captures close-ups of small objects and details effortlessly.
When used on APS-C-sensor cameras like the EOS R50 V / R50 / R10 / R7, it gets even closer with a 136mm-equivalent angle of view, blurring the background so your subject stands out with depth and dimensionality.
Beautiful cinematic bokeh
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.4, 1/3200 sec)/ ISO 100
The RF85mm f/1.4L VCM’s 85mm medium telephoto focal length and large f/1.4 maximum aperture are a powerful combination that melts distracting background clutter into beautiful, buttery smooth bokeh. Also known as the shallow focus effect, it easily transforms ordinary-looking subjects into “hero” images!
Details razor sharp at the focus peak
The beauty isn’t just in the bokeh, it’s also about attention to detail and quality. The RF85mm f/1.4L VCM is engineered to keep in-focus areas sharp and well-resolved, so work looks professional even when cropped close or blown up in print. A UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) lens element corrects chromatic aberration and keeps the bokeh clean.
3. Greater low light possibilities
The lens to reach for in low light
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.4, 1/200 sec)/ ISO 200
Enjoy the ambience
With its large, bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM gives more flexibility over exposure settings even when the light is low. For filmmaking and location photoshoots, this could mean a simpler setup with fewer lights: less logistics to worry about, better mobility, and stronger, more authentic mood!
f/1.4 for better autofocusing
A large maximum aperture like f/1.4 allows more light information to enter the camera. This contributes to more accurate AF performance under Canon’s unique image sensor-based Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which uses the light to its fullest advantage. It also means a clearer image and more light information even in low light situations—perfect for shooting moody indoor action!
More freedom to move
Lightweight and compact at approximately 636g, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM makes it easier to keep the camera steady during long handheld shoots, and provides the agility you need for quick reframes, whip pans, and experimenting with dynamic angles.
It shares the same 99.3mm barrel length and 67mm filter thread diameter—that means time rebalancing and readjusting after lens swaps when you shoot with a gimbal or rig.
Outstanding image quality
As a professional-grade L-series lens, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM employs cutting-edge optical technology, delivering impeccable image quality throughout its entire aperture range from the image centre to the corners.
RF85mm f/1.4L VCM lens configuration
A: UD (Ultra-low dispersion) lens
B: GMo (glass-moulded) aspheric lens
One optimally placed UD lens and one GMo aspheric lens thoroughly correct chromatic aberration, contributing to polished-looking images with clean, well-defined details and better depth and clarity.
Clean and clear even in backlight
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.4, 1/200 sec)/ ISO 200
ASC (Air Sphere Coating) keeps ghosting and flaring well under control so you can confidently make the most of the f/1.4 bokeh even when shooting into backlight.
6. Fast, precise, and quiet autofocus with VCM
Fast, precise, and quiet autofocusing with Voice Coil Motor
The RF85mm f/1.4L VCM drives autofocus with Canon’s powerful new VCM (Voice Coil Motor), which moves the large and heavy focusing lens unit with both speed and high precision. Focus locks quickly and accurately onto subjects during still photography, and transits smoothly and quietly for video.
How the VCM works
The VCM contains drive magnets that generate a permanent magnetic field, and a coil that also generates a magnetic field when electricity is passed through it. The interaction between the magnetic fields generates a force that is powerful enough to drive the heavy focusing lens unit, and yet can be precisely controlled.
7. High customisability, filmmaker-friendly controls
High customisability, filmmaker-friendly controls
While it’s a very capable still photography lens, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM’s filmmaker-friendly design is what further distinguishes it from Canon’s existing 85mm lenses. At the heart of this is the iris ring, which allows smooth and silent aperture adjustment during video shooting. When the lens is mounted on an EOS R1, EOS R5 Mark II, or EOS R50 V*, you can also use the iris ring to control aperture during still shooting.
The control ring, the lens function button, and the focusing ring can be assigned custom functions, so you can tailor them for your workflow needs.
* As of June 2025
Besides depth of field adjustments, adjusting the aperture is usually the best way to control exposure when shooting video. The RF85mm f/1.4L VCM’s iris ring lets you do so seamlessly and intuitively, so you can focus more effort on framing and directing.
8. L-series durability and reliability
L-series durability and reliability
As a professional-grade L-series lens, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM is built to enable you to keep shooting high-quality images even under harsh conditions.
Dust- and drip-resistant construction
From outdoor events to nature portrait sessions, the RF85mm f/1.4L VCM’s dust and moisture-resistant design lets professionals keep shooting with peace of mind even in inclement weather.
Fluorine coating
Smudge-resistant fluorine coating on the frontmost element prevents dust and dirt from sticking onto the lens, and allows them to be easily wiped off with a cleaning cloth.
RF85mm f/1.4L VCM: Key specifications
Lens construction: 14 elements in 10 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.75m
Maximum magnification: 0.12x
No. of aperture blades: 11
Filter diameter: 67m
Size: φ76.5 x 99.3mm
Weight: approx. 636g
Lens hood: ET-73C (bundled)
RF85mm f/1.4L VCM: Sample images
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.4, 1/250 sec)/ ISO 200
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/1.4, 1/160 sec)/ ISO 200
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/400 sec)/ ISO 200
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/10 sec)/ ISO 100
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF85mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/80 sec)/ ISO 100
