Canon RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM Lens

The Canon RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM Lens is a premium short‑telephoto prime lens in Canon’s RF mount L‑series lineup, designed to deliver exceptional image quality, professional handling, and hybrid performance for both still photographers and videographers. Its classic 85 mm focal length makes it ideal for portraiture, event shooting, fashion, and lifestyle work, providing flattering perspective compression and subject isolation that brings portraits to life with beautiful background separation and rich detail.

At the heart of the RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM is a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, allowing photographers to work effectively in low‑light conditions while achieving strong control over depth of field. This aperture — combined with an 11‑blade circular diaphragm — produces smooth, cinematic bokeh that renders out‑of‑focus highlights with pleasing softness, making subjects stand out sharply against creamy backgrounds.

Optically, the lens uses a sophisticated design with 14 elements in 10 groups, including one Ultra‑Low Dispersion (UD) element and one aspherical element, which help control chromatic aberrations, spherical distortion, and other unwanted optical artifacts. Canon’s advanced coatings — Super Spectra Coating (SSC), Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC), Air Sphere Coating (ASC), and fluorine coatings — work together to minimize flare and ghosting while enhancing contrast and color fidelity, even in challenging lighting conditions.

A key innovation in this lens is its Voice Coil Motor (VCM) autofocus system. Unlike traditional ring‑type motors, the VCM uses magnetic forces to move the focusing group with exceptional speed, precision, and near‑silent operation — a major advantage when capturing video or shooting in quiet environments. The VCM system also helps suppress focus breathing, making this lens particularly appealing to hybrid shooters who want stable framing during focus pulls.

The lens includes a de‑clickable manual aperture ring, which is especially useful for video creators who need smooth, consistent exposure changes while filming. A customizable Control Ring and Lens Function Button on the barrel add further tactile control over settings such as ISO, shutter speed, or exposure compensation without taking hands off the lens.

While the RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM does not include built‑in optical image stabilization, it benefits fully from In‑Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) when mounted on compatible Canon mirrorless bodies, helping to further sharpen handheld shots in low light.

The lens’s physical design reflects Canon’s L‑series standards, featuring dust‑ and moisture‑resistant construction and fluorine‑coated front and rear elements to help repel water, oil, and fingerprints — useful for outdoor and professional use. With a 67 mm filter thread, it supports commonly used filters such as UV, polarizing, or neutral density for landscape and creative photography. At approximately 636 g with dimensions near 76.5 × 99.3 mm, the lens strikes a balance between professional optics and manageable handling, making it suitable for both studio and location work.

Other practical features include a minimum focusing distance of about 0.75 m (2.5 ft) with a maximum magnification around 0.12×, letting photographers frame close‑up portraits and detail shots without stepping back. The combination of advanced optics, hybrid‑focused controls, and video‑friendly design elements makes the RF 85mm F/1.4 L VCM a compelling choice for professionals and enthusiasts seeking a high‑performance portrait lens that bridges the needs of stills and motion capture.