Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS

Our thoughts

"The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS is pure magic for portrait shooters. The Defocus Smoothing coating produces an ethereal, velvety bokeh that gives images a uniquely cinematic feel. It’s incredibly sharp at the point of focus, yet melts backgrounds into a dreamy blur — a true creative tool for photographers who care about character as much as clarity."

- Will, Founder

Product description

Rent a Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS for portraits that look like they were painted with light. This professional short-telephoto prime lens is designed for Canon’s full-frame RF-mount cameras and stands out for its distinctive Defocus Smoothing (DS) coating, which creates one of the smoothest and most flattering bokeh effects ever seen in a Canon lens.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS is built for photographers and filmmakers seeking stunning subject separation and a refined visual signature. Its ultra-wide f/1.2 aperture captures exceptional light while offering razor-thin depth of field. The optical design includes Blue Spectrum Refractive, Ultra Low Dispersion, and aspherical elements that correct aberrations and maintain sharpness, contrast, and colour fidelity across the frame. This precision is matched with the DS coating, which softens out-of-focus highlights for a painterly, cinematic aesthetic.

Powered by Canon’s ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, autofocus is fast, quiet, and highly accurate. A configurable control ring gives direct access to exposure settings, and the robust, weather-sealed construction ensures reliability in any environment. This is a lens designed for professionals who want their portraits and close-ups to feel timeless.

Key features

• Premium RF-mount portrait prime with Defocus Smoothing coating

• Bright f/1.2 aperture for low-light excellence and ultra-shallow depth of field

• Defocus Smoothing (DS) coating for exceptionally soft, cinematic bokeh

• Advanced 13-element optical design with BR, UD, and aspherical glass for maximum clarity

• Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for precise, silent autofocus and full-time manual control

• Customisable control ring for adjusting ISO, aperture, or exposure compensation

• Weather-sealed L-series build engineered for professional reliability

Optical performance & character

The RF 85mm f/1.2L DS achieves a rare combination of technical precision and artistic beauty. Its nine-blade diaphragm and DS coating give highlights a gentle, feathered roll-off that creates a smooth, filmic background blur. Even wide open at f/1.2, the lens delivers impeccable sharpness where you focus, with natural skin tones and pleasing contrast.

Canon’s Blue Spectrum Refractive optics significantly reduce chromatic aberration, while the combination of UD and aspherical elements ensures edge-to-edge clarity. Autofocus is fast and nearly silent — ideal for both photo and video applications — and the full-time manual override allows subtle refinements during shooting. This lens captures not just faces, but emotion, light, and atmosphere with unmatched nuance.

Why rent the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS?

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS is the ultimate choice for professional portraiture, beauty work, and cinematic visual storytelling. It’s perfect for photographers and filmmakers who want an expressive, signature look straight out of camera — with softness in the background and clarity where it matters most.

Its bright aperture and DS coating make it a master at isolating subjects, whether shooting natural-light portraits, close-up details, or video sequences that demand depth and emotion. The build quality and ergonomics meet Canon’s highest L-series standards, ensuring dependable performance in any shooting condition.

Rent a Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS from Canada Camera Rentals and experience one of the most beautiful and expressive portrait lenses ever created.