Wow! It has been a long, long time I have received a new Canon L series prime lens. It was two years ago that I reviewed the excellent Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II, and since that point I have reviewed no new L series prime lenses and only two Canon L series zooms (the somewhat disappointing 24-105mm f/4L II and the excellent yet flawed 16-35mm f/2.8L III). During that same period Tamron has churned out a whole new series of prime lenses (SP primes in 35mm, 45mm, and 85mm focal lengths) along with three generally excellent G2 zoom lenses (my reviews here) and the ever prolific Sigma has launched 4 ART series prime lenses (14mm, 20mm, 85mm, 135mm) along with 3 ART series zooms (12-24mm f/4, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 50-100mm f/1.8), all of which I have reviewed. On top of that Sigma also launched a premium 500mm f/4 OS lens, for a grand total of 9 premium lenses over that same period. And this doesn’t even consider the number of Zeiss Milvus lenses that also compete in this same category of premium prime lenses (I’ve reviewed an 18mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm new Milvus prime lenses since that review and am starting the new 25mm f/1.4 review), and Samyang/Rokinon has also launched a premium series with very good 14mm and 85mm prime lenses to day. Suffice it to say that the competition has really stepped up its game over the past two years, and Canon is launching the new EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM to a much more crowded market. Generally all the lenses that I have mentioned are optically excellent, with the weakest of them actually being one of the Canon lenses (the 24-105mm f/4L IS II). I feel like there is a lot riding on this lens, but fortunately it seems ready to deliver. Stay tuned for more new photos along with my review segments that will be rolling out over the next several weeks.

Images of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Images Taken With the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

APS-C Images With the Canon EF 85L IS (Sony and Canon)

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