A Classic Redefined

K Madhavan Pillai tests the Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS USM to discover how this classic short telephoto portrait lens is different from the rest.

- K Madhavan Pillai

Traditional, purist portraitists have always viewed the large aperture short telephoto 85mm full frame as a necessary focal length. Providing a more respectable distance from the subject and better background blurs over the 50mm, and significantly easier to control and lighter than 135mm lenses, the 85mm f/1.4 also has the benefit of offering a useful, near 135mm f/2.1 equivalent on Canon APS-C sensors. Canon’s newest introduction, the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, is poised between the inexpensive EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and the higher priced EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.

With Sigma releasing it’s highly rated 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art in late 2016, Canon’s new 85mm not only plugs a very obvious gap in its line-up, it also adds image stabilisation... an extremely handy feature at this focal length. The Canon 85mm f/1.4L and the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD are the only stabilised lenses for Canon at this focal length, with the Canon being the first and only f/1.4 stabilised (four stops) 85mm lens the moment.

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