Home Lenses Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Canon · EF
Released November 2017
An EF portrait prime combining an f/1.4 aperture, four-stop optical stabilisation, ring USM autofocus and dust and moisture resistance.
Compare with another lens Compare with… EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM (2018) EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM (2017) EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2017) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM (2016) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2016) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM (2016) EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (2015) EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2015) EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (2014) EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM (2012) EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (2012) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (2012) EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2012) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (2011) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2010) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2009) EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2009) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2009) EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM (2008) EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2008) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS (2007) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2007) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2007) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM (2007) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM (2006) EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM (2006) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (2006) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II (2005) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM (2005) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2005) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM (2005) EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM (2004) EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM (2004) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM (2003) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM (2002) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM (2001) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM (2001) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2000) EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (1999) EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (1998) EF 24mm f/1.4L USM (1997) EF 135mm f/2L USM (1996) EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM (1996) EF 28mm f/1.8 USM (1995) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM (1995) EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (1993) EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (1992) EF 200mm f/2.8L USM (1991) EF 50mm f/1.8 II (1990) EF 35mm f/2 (1990) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1990) EF 80–200mm f/2.8L (1989) EF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1989) EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988) EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987) EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987) RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ (2026) RF 14mm F1.4L VCM (2026) RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L FISHEYE STM (2026) RF 45mm F1.2 STM (2025) RF 85mm F1.4L VCM (2025) RF 75–300mm F4–5.6 (2025) RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM (2025) RF-S 14–30mm F4–6.3 IS STM PZ (2025) RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM (2025) RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z (2024) RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM (2024) RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM (2023) RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (2023) RF-S 10–18mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF 10–20mm F4 L IS STM (2023) RF 28mm F2.8 STM (2023) RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM (2023) RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM (2023) RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM (2023) RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 1200mm F8L IS USM (2022) RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (2022) RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM (2021) RF 16mm F2.8 STM (2021) RF 14–35mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM (2021) RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM (2021) RF 600mm F4L IS USM (2021) RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 50mm F1.8 STM (2020) RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM (2020) RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM (2020) RF 600mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 800mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 24–105mm F4–7.1 IS STM (2020) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS (2019) RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM (2019) RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM (2019) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (2019) RF 28–70mm F2 L USM (2018) RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2018) RF 24–105mm F4L IS USM (2018) RF 50mm F1.2 L USM (2018) NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2026) NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 (2026) NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR (2025) NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 (2025) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (2025) NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (2025) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S (2025) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (2024) NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (2023) NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (2021) NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2021) NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (2021) NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (2020) NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (2020) NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (2019) NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED (2017) AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (2009) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (2008) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED (2007) FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (2026) FE 8–14mm F3.5 Fisheye G (2026) FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS (2026) FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2026) FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (2025) FE 50–150mm F2 GM (2025) FE 16mm F1.8 G (2025) FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS (2025) FE 28–70mm F2 GM (2024) FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (2024) E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2024) FE 16-25mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 24-50mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS (2024) FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II (2023) FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II (2023) FE 50mm F1.4 GM (2023) FE 20-70mm F4 G (2023) E 11mm F1.8 (2022) E 15mm F1.4 G (2022) E PZ 10-20mm F4 G (2022) FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II (2022) FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (2022) FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (2021) FE 14mm F1.8 GM (2021) FE 24mm F2.8 G (2021) FE 40mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 50mm F1.2 GM (2021) FE 50mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 35mm F1.4 GM (2021) FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (2020) FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (2020) FE 20mm F1.8 G (2020) E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (2019) E 16-55mm F2.8 G (2019) FE 35mm F1.8 (2019) FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (2019) FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (2019) FE 135mm F1.8 GM (2019) FE 24mm F1.4 GM (2018) FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (2018) E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (2018) FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017) FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) FE 12-24mm F4 G (2017) FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (2017) FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (2017) FE 85mm F1.8 (2017) E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS (2016) FE 50mm F2.8 Macro (2016) FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (2016) Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (2016) FE 50mm F1.8 (2016) FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (2016) FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (2016) FE 85mm F1.4 GM (2016) FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (2015) Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (2015) FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2015) FE 28mm F2 (2015) FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (2013) Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (2013) 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (2013) Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (2013) Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2013) Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (2013) E 20mm F2.8 (2013) E 10-18mm F4 OSS (2012) E 35mm F1.8 OSS (2012) E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2012) E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE (2012) E 50mm F1.8 OSS (2011) Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (2011) DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM (2011) E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (2011) E 30mm F3.5 Macro (2011) DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (2010) E 16mm F2.8 (2010) DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (2009) DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2008) Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA (2007) Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (2006) Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (2006) 70–200mm F2.8 G (2006) 50mm F1.4 (2006) 50mm F2.8 Macro (2006)
Mount Canon EF
Focal length 85 mm
Max aperture f/1.4
Stabilisation Yes
Weight 950 g What reviewers say Both reviewers praise sharpness, smooth background blur, handling and stabilisation, while noting the high price. Digital Camera World finds it well balanced on larger DSLRs despite its weight. ePHOTOzine reports fast, accurate autofocus and reliably achieves three stops of stabilisation, below Canon's four-stop claim; it also identifies haze when the sun catches a particular angle.
From ephotozine.com and digitalcameraworld.com
Optics
Lens type Prime
Focal length 85 mm
Maximum aperture f/1.4
Minimum aperture f/22
Optical construction Fourteen elements in ten groups
Special elements High-precision glass-moulded aspherical lens according to Canon
Coatings Air Sphere Coating (ASC) according to Canon
Diaphragm Nine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view 28°30′ diagonal, 24° horizontal and 16° vertical Mount and compatibility
Mounts Canon EF
Image circle Full frame
Compatibility Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
Teleconverter support Not compatible with Canon extenders according to Canon UK's specification sheet
Adaptor support Canon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus Yes
Minimum focus distance 0.85 m
Maximum magnification 0.12×
Optical stabilisation Yes
Autofocus detail Ring USM with full-time manual override according to Canon UK
Focus distance detail Internal focusing according to ePHOTOzine
Magnification detail Canon UK specifies 0.15–0.26× with EF12 II and 0.33–0.43× with EF25 II extension tubes
Stabilisation detail Four-stop optical stabilisation, tested at 85 mm with EOS-1D X Mark II to CIPA standards according to Canon Design
Dust and moisture resistant Yes
Filter diameter 77 mm
Maximum diameter 88.6 mm
Length 105.4 mm
Weight 950 g
Controls AF/MF and stabiliser on/off switches, manual focus ring, distance window and depth-of-field markings
Weather resistance Dust and moisture resistance according to Canon UK
Dimensions detail 88.6 mm maximum diameter × 105.4 mm length; approximately 950 g according to Canon
Lens hood Supplied ET-83E hood according to Canon UK
In the box Lens, ET-83E hood, E-77II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 pouch and user manual according to Canon UK
Release detail Canon Camera Museum records November 2017 marketing; a first-sale day is not given Pros and cons Pros + Four-stop optical stabilisation+ f/1.4 maximum aperture+ Dust and moisture resistanceCons − 950 g weight− Not compatible with Canon extenders
