A short telephoto prime that's ideal for portraiture, the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM from Canon is part of their sophisticated L-series of lenses. Designed for use with full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, it can also be used with APS-C models where it will provide a 136mm equivalent focal length. This is combined with a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture to suit working in low-light conditions and with shallow depth of field.
The optical design features one glass-moulded aspherical element to control spherical aberrations and distortion for improved sharpness and clarity. Each individual element also features an Air Sphere coating (ASC) to suppress lens flare and ghosting for greater contrast and accurate colour when working in backlit situations. Nine rounded diaphragm blades contribute to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.
Complementing the optical attributes, this lens also incorporates a four stop-effective optical image stabilisation system to minimise the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), along with optimised AF algorithms, provides quick and accurate autofocus performance, and full-time manual focus override is available for fine-tuned control. It also features a dust- and weather-resistant construction to benefit working in changeable environmental conditions, and fluorine coatings on the front and rear surfaces help reduce fingerprints and smudging.
