The RF 85mm f/1.2

My passion is photographing concerts. I don’t really care for the big arena shows, because it’s a scene with passes and permission and all that nonsense. I like to find small acts in crappy clubs. The challenge is that the lighting is poor. (That, and getting beer thrown on me from time to time).

I think the closest genre to compare it to is wildlife: You do everything you can, but you also have to wait for the shot to come to you, and when it does, it’s fantastic.

I’ve taught myself a lot of tricks and things to look for. I loved my 5D Mark IV but upgraded to the R5 for better focus consistency (I have a lot of photos of perfectly focused microphones from the 5D IV). I move around a lot and my favorite lens is the Canon 85mm f/1.8. I have a 24-70 f/2.8 but I usually prefer the longer length and, especially, the fast speed and shallow DoF of the 85mm.

With that said, I’m wondering a lot whether the 85mm f/1.2 would be worth it. The lens is very expensive. I’d need to work a lot of shows to pay for it, although I get paid, this is more hobby than profession.

My most important issue is whether it focuses fast. If it’s slow to focus, it won’t work, because the artists move around a lot faster than you think… especially considering the very shallow DoF of f/1.2. Compared to f/1.8, it’s nearly one stop faster… which is a lot, right? And I think that giving the sensor more light should improve my AF. I’m also hoping that it will give me better overall image quality of the performer’s face. The DS version of this lens drops 1 stop, so I know that version is not for me.

Comments, anyone?

I will chime in since nobody else had so far. I never used that lens but I used the EF 85L several times for concerts. It was slow but it worked sometimes.

I have good luck with the RF 50L. I use it in a bar where I can get literally in the face of the performers and nobody stops me, I used even my 35LII there. Face detection works quite well with my lowly R. I shoot at f/1.2 with underexposure to catch the highlights.

I was thinking about the 85 but I will most likely get the 135/1.8. I lose a stop, yes, but in some venues I cannot get too close. My 135/2 is serving me well even now. When I had the EF 85 for a short time, I couldn’t get used to that FL. Either too long or too short…

I shoot with Canon R5 & 5DSr. I have an RF 85mm f/2, and would think it would do fine in a small club. But my go-to for concerts (of any size) is my EF 70-200f/2.8 L IS vii. Simply awesome on either body and focusing is as fast as I've ever used, and I much prefer a zoom for concerts.

Are there shots you have missed with the 1.8 where the extra stop would make the difference? If so, get the 1.2. I have the 1.8. There is just something about it that is hard to describe. For 500 USD it was totally worth it…but I don’t shoot nightclubs.

then rent if for a gig - the delta of rent vs what you paid is not that big, correct ? then you can decide = www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon-rf-85mm-f1.2l

LOL!! I know your pain.

For what you're doing, I'm going to argue no, it's not worth it because 85 1.4's are available. I've shot bands with 85 1.8's and 85 1.4's (Nikon).

f1.4 is theoretically 2/3rds of a stop more light transmission than f1.8.
f1.2 is theoretically 1/3rd of a stop more light than f1.4.

Point being, an 85 1.4 would be a MUCH better way to spend your money.

Find a clean Sigma Art 85mm f1.4 on ebay and call it a day. The Art 85 and the RF 85 1.2 are both exceptional in image quality, with the f1.2 lens having ever so slightly better bokeh. That's a LOT more money for not much more.

If you are satisfied with the IQ of the 1.8 then I see no point in getting the 1.2.

That said the RF 85mm 1.2 DS is in the all-time top three of my favorite lenses 😉