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Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM vs Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM

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CanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCMCanonRF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2025October 2020
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length85 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/2
Minimum aperturef/16f/29
Macro lens–Yes
Optical construction14 elements in 10 groups12 elements in 11 groups
Special elementsOne UD and one glass-moulded aspherical elementOne UD element
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element–
Aperture detailf/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer)–
Diaphragm11 circular aperture bladesNine blades, circular aperture
Angle of view24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ diagonal on full frame–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependentCanon RF mount, full-frame image circle
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.75 m0.35 m
Maximum magnification0.12×0.5×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normalSTM autofocus, electronic manual focus and full-time manual focusing
Focus distance detail–Minimum focusing distance 0.35 m; three-position focus limiter; barrel extends towards close focus
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.5× reproduction, equivalent to half life-size
Stabilisation detailNo lens optical IS; maker separately lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of eight stops at the centre and seven at the corners under its camera/test conditionsHybrid optical IS corrects angular and shift shake; five-stop optical rating on EOS R under CIPA at 85 mm, or eight stops coordinated with EOS R5 sensor IS under CIPA at 85 mm
Video featuresOptically suppressed focus breathing and stepless iris control; UK maker footnote excludes stills iris-ring operation on EOS R/RP/Ra/R3/R5/R6/R6 Mark II/R7/R8/R10/R50/R100/R5 C even with current firmware–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter67 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter76.5 mm78 mm
Length99.3 mm90.5 mm
Weight636 g500 g
ControlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer)Separate customisable control ring and focus ring, focus limiter, AF/MF and IS switches
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters–
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; Canon states protection requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferredOpticalLimits and Cameralabs report no weather sealing
Dimensions detailApproximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm lengthApproximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 90.5 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 636 g lensApproximately 500 g lens
Lens hoodET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesET-77, sold separately
In the box–Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual kit
Release detailCanon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferredOctober 2020 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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