Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM

Reviewers rate it as an excellent-value 85 that also handles half life-size close-ups well. Sharpness is very good to excellent at f/2, with the centre strongest, and by f/4 to f/5.6 the whole frame is excellent; corners are the weaker area wide open. Lateral colour fringing is negligible, distortion is a mild pincushion, and vignetting at f/2 is around two stops before correction. The stabiliser is singled out as a highlight for slow-shutter portraits and handheld macro.

Opinions split on autofocus and rendering. AF is generally quick and accurate, but most testers found the STM motor audible, which counts against it for video. Bokeh is pleasant for an f/2 lens, with smooth foreground blur, though background blur can turn busy and corner highlights become cat's eyes; one lab test found clear purple and green longitudinal fringing at f/2 that persists slightly to f/4. Build is solid but mostly plastic, with no weather sealing and an extending, slightly wobbly inner barrel. Sun-stars at small apertures are attractive, and flare appears when shooting into the sun.

Owners mostly love the image quality for the money, describing crisp, contrasty images with nice bokeh and frequently comparing results favourably with far more expensive L lenses. It is used widely for portraits, weddings and product photography, and its light weight and versatility as a walkaround and close-up lens are common points of praise.

Autofocus is the divisive point: about half of those who mention it find it fast and quiet, while others call it slow and one of the loudest lenses they own. Reports of hunting in dim light and at close range, and of a long manual-focus throw, recur. A few wish it were faster than f/2 or went beyond 0.5x magnification.