85mm f/1.4 vs 85mm f/1.2 Lens Comparison for Portrait Photography
Are you thinking of adding an 85mm prime lens to your camera bag, but you don’t know whether to buy the EF 85mm f/1.4 or splurge for the EF 85mm f/1.2?
I will share the differences and similarities between both lenses, offering a comprehensive review focusing on user experience. Additionally, it will provide a side-by-side portrait comparison in different lighting scenarios, including the magical golden hour.
Price Difference
A big reason why people don’t know if they should go for the f/1.2 is if the price is worth it.
85mm f/1.4 Cost:
85mm f/1.2 Cost:
At the end of my video and later in this blog post, I mentioned that the next step up from the 85mm f/1.2 EF lens would be the 85mm f/1.2 RF lens. The “RF” lens is created for mirrorless cameras and costs $2,800 if you buy a new one. If you opted for used on KEH, you’re looking at a lower price tag.
Is the f/1.2 really worth it?
Or, can I buy a f/1.4 and be happy with the results?
Technical differences
Closest focusing distance:
1.4: 14 elements in 10 groups
1.2: 8 elements in 7 groups
Lens construction:
1.4: 2.79 ft
1.2: 3.2 ft.
Lens Coating:
1.4 GMO Aspherical Element with Air Sphere Coating Technology
1.2. Super Spectra Coated optics
Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) are both anti-reflective coating technologies developed by Canon to improve the performance of their lenses. SSC is a multi-layer coating that reduces reflections across various wavelengths. At the same time, ASC is a newer technology that uses ultra-low refractive index spheres to minimize reflections and ghosting further.
The 1.4 is Canon's first prime 85mm with IS (Image Stabilizer)
When did the lenses come out?
1.4 Came out in 2017
1.2 came out in 2006
There’s a 9-year difference between the lenses. Naturally, the tech will be improved on the f/1.4.
Full specifications
For the complete list of specifications, click on each listing, and you’ll see a table with details.
My Personal Experience
Focusing on the 1.2 is very slow and easy to miss focus. But when you nail it, it looks incredible. It doesn’t mean that 9 out of 10 photos will be out of focus; it just means it takes a little longer to get in focus. Focusing on the 1.4 much faster and feels more “digital”?
In the end, both look equally sharp on their own. However, when you zoom into the eye (scroll down on the blog post to see the example), the f/1.4 is much stronger. The 1.4 was significantly faster during the photo's golden hour.
Unedited RAW examples
Below, you will find side-by-side images for comparison. These images are the unedited RAW photos, unedited images with the camera settings on each slide.
The first location is in full shade. The second location is during golden hour. The camera that I used for these photos was the Canon 5D Mark IV.
Which lens should you buy?
Who should buy the f/1.2, and who should buy the f/1.4?
Let’s rewind to when the lens came out. The f/1.4 Came out in 2017, and the f/1.2 came out in 2006. There’s a 9-year difference between the two lenses, so the f/1.4 has technical upgrades.
If you are planning to switch from DSLR to mirrorless:
If you are planning to upgrade to mirrorless, get the f/1.2 in bargain condition and get yourself a lens adaptor for about $140 when you upgrade to mirrorless. The newest version of the 85mm is a mirrorless lens: Canon 85mm RF f/1.2 for $2,800. On KEH $2,300.
If you are NOT planning to switch from DSLR to mirrorless:
If you shoot high school or college graduation photos, newborns, branding photography, and portrait photography, go for a 1.2. If you shoot moving objects, AKA kids, families, pets, or events, I’d do the f/1.4. And if you prefer the sharpness of the f/1.4, go for the f/1.4.
Either one works:
Food photography could go either way. Weddings? You could swing either way. f/1.2 is going to be gorgeous for bride or groom portraits.
If you can’t decide and are not planning to upgrade to Mirrorless, go with a f/1.4 in bargain condition for $900. More versatility with the lens.
If you plan to upgrade to mirrorless, go for f/1.2 because the “upgrade”/ next step from here is the RF, for $2,800. Get it in bargain condition from KEH for about $800.
If the $100 difference doesn’t matter to you, get the f/1.2 if that f-stop difference matters to you. It does to me. Maybe rent it first before purchasing.
Which lens is the sharpest with detail?
Taking the horizontal image from above, I want to zoom into her face to see how the sharpness of the focusing is. In the last image, when it’s zoomed into her eye, you can see the f/1.4 is significantly sharper. Both photos were focused precisely on her eye, and I ran them through a culling program that detects the focus level. Both were at 10/10. It’s crazy to me how incredibly soft the f/1.2 is. The f/1.4 definitely wins at sharpness.
Golden Hour
Lastly, I want to compare with both lenses in various situations at golden hour. On the first three slides, it’s a soft lighting halo around her hair. Then, as time went on and the sun slid lower on the horizon, it makes golden hour more intense. So. I put her back right against the sun so we could take a look at the softness, lens flare, and any ghosting. Again, I think the f/1.4 lens wins.
VIDEO TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Welcome to the 85mm Canon Prime Lens Comparison
0:11 Price Difference Between the 85mm EF f/1.4 vs 85mm EF f/1.2
1:15 KEH Camera Review
2:54 Lens Specifications
3:06 Lens Construction
3:17 Closest Focusing Difference
3:34 Lens Coating
4:45 When were the lenses created?
6:00 Using the lenses
6:15 Behind-the-scenes using each lens
6:48 Side-by-side sample images with camera settings
7:00 Side-by-side sample images in full shade
7:53 Comparing during golden hour
8:06 Side-by-side sample images in golden hour
9:16 Example of lens flair
9:35 Which lens should you buy?
11:22 If you are planning to upgrade from DSLR to mirrorless
12:16 Free Photography Facebook Group
12:48 Photography podcast
13:04 Subscribe for more free tutorials