Best Canon RF Mount Lenses for Portrait Photography
Canon’s RF mount, introduced in 2018 along with the EOS R camera system, has provided photographers with a plethora of new lens options optimized for full frame mirrorless cameras. The short flange distance of the RF mount has allowed lens designers to craft optics with incredible sharpness, fast apertures, close focusing abilities and compact sizes. This had led to an impressive lineup of lenses perfectly suited for portrait photographers.
In this article, we will take a look at the top Canon RF mount lenses that excel at portrait photography. We will cover a range of focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto, at varying price points. Factors considered include sharpness, bokeh quality, autofocus speed and accuracy, close focusing ability and physical attributes like size and weight. Whether you’re looking for an affordable prime lens, a versatile zoom or a premium telephoto, there should be an excellent portrait option in Canon’s RF lens lineup.
1. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS Lens – Check Price at B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS takes the brand’s legendary 85mm portrait lens formula to a new level. Its ultra-wide f/1.2 maximum aperture produces truly stunning background separation, isolating the subject with buttery smooth bokeh. The 85mm focal length is ideal for flattering head and shoulder length portraits. Image quality is outstanding even when shooting wide open at f/1.2, delivering excellent sharpness and clarity. Vivid color and contrast produce images with a 3D-like pop. The DS coating further enhances bokeh smoothness, with soft and circular out of focus highlights. Autofocus speed is remarkably fast thanks to a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, with excellent tracking abilities. The lens features sturdy weather sealing for any environment. A programmable control ring provides customizable control over settings. For professional portrait photographers seeking the ultimate in defocused backgrounds, sharpness and luxurious build, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS represents the state of the art in 85mm optics. If you demand the very best for high-end portrait work, this large aperture prime lens truly stands in a class of its own.
2. Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens – Check Price B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is quite simply one of the finest lenses ever made for portrait photography. Its ultra-wide f/1.2 maximum aperture produces stunning background separation and bokeh, isolating the subject with dreamy, creamy blur. The aperture also allows using faster shutter speeds in low light. Sharpness and clarity are superb even when shooting wide open, with excellent edge-to-edge performance by f/2.8. The 50mm perspective is ideal for full body shots as well as tighter head and shoulder framing. Autofocus speed is remarkably fast thanks to Canon’s ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, with extremely accurate tracking performance. The lens is built like a tank with weather sealing to stand up to any environment. The rugged metal housing has a premium feel that pairs nicely with Canon’s high-end EOS R bodies. A programmable control ring provides customizable control over aperture, ISO or other settings. For professional and advanced amateur portrait photographers, the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM delivers best-in-class optical performance and luxury build worthy of the most discerning shooters. If you desire ultimate quality in a 50mm prime for portrait work, look no further than Canon’s flagship f/1.2L.
3. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens – Check Price at B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
As an affordable prime lens option for Canon’s EOS R mirrorless cameras, the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM delivers impressive optical quality and bokeh in a compact form factor. The 50mm focal length provides a natural perspective ideal for full-body and half-body portraits, as well as environmental shots. The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture affords good subject isolation with background blur, even given its budget price point. Autofocus comes courtesy of a stepper motor drive which, while not as fast as pricier USM models, is quiet and smooth which suits portrait work well. The lens produces pleasing bokeh, with rounded out-of-focus highlights, that help make your subject stand out from the background. Center sharpness is excellent even when shooting wide open at f/1.8, with good clarity towards the edges by f/2.8. The lens also focuses quite closely, down to just 1.15 feet, making for intriguing wide aperture close-up shots. Despite its low price point, the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM produces reliably pleasing image quality, fast focus in good light, and nice background blur ideal for portraiture on a budget. It makes for an excellent starter prime lens for Canon EOS R shooters looking to explore portrait photography.
4. Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM Lens – Check Price at B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is an incredibly versatile medium telephoto prime lens ideal for portraits. Its 135mm focal length is perfect for flattering compression that isolates the subject against creamy background blur. The incredibly bright f/1.8 maximum aperture affords incredible background separation to really make your subject pop. This super fast aperture also allows using faster shutter speeds in low light. The lens incorporates Canon’s highest quality lens elements including ASC and Super UD elements that deliver stunning sharpness and clarity even when shooting wide open at f/1.8. Gorgeous bokeh and dramatic fall-off produce professional quality results. The inclusion of up to 5 stops of optical image stabilization provides sharp, blur-free handheld shots. Canon’s ring-type nano USM autofocus is lightning fast and virtually silent. Weather sealing makes this lens ready for any environment. For nearly any portrait scenario, from headshots to full body, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM provides an ideal field of view. With incredible sharpness despite its speed, smooth bokeh and image stabilization, it’s perhaps the ultimate Canon RF portrait lens. Any portrait photographer wanting flattering compression and background blur should have this lens in their kit.
5. Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens – Check Price at B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is an excellent portrait lens that delivers razor-sharp details and beautiful background blur. The medium 100mm telephoto focal length is ideal for headshots and tight face portraits. The bright f/2.8 maximum aperture provides nice background separation to isolate the subject. This is further enhanced by the lens’ gorgeous bokeh, which renders out-of-focus areas in a soft, creamy manner. Autofocus is extremely fast and accurate thanks to Canon’s nano USM motor, making it easy to capture tack sharp focus on the eyes. The lens also incorporates 5 stops of optical image stabilization, which helps eliminate blur from camera shake when shooting handheld. This allows using slower shutter speeds to maximize the background blur. Details are captured with amazing sharpness from edge to edge even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. With pro-level weather sealing, fast AF and stunning optics, the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is an outstanding lens choice for flattering yet finely detailed portrait photography.
Conclusion:
Canon’s RF mount has ushered in an exciting era for portrait photographers. The innovative new mount provides access to lens designs that deliver incredible sharpness, beautiful bokeh and fast apertures ideal for portraiture. As highlighted in this guide, Canon has crafted a range of prime and zoom RF lenses tailored specifically for portrait work. Options like the RF 85mm f/1.2L DS with its ultra-wide aperture and creamy bokeh through to affordable primes like the nifty fifty RF 50mm f/1.8 STM provide choices at various price points. Versatile zooms like the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS extend the range for environmental and full body portraits. Regardless of your budget or style, Canon’s RF lens system affords fantastic portrait lenses from wide angle through telephoto. With compact prime lenses that deliver amazing optical quality even wide open, RF mount shooters have tremendous new portrait options. As Canon continues expanding the RF lens lineup, we can expect even more specialized portrait lenses in the near future. For now, the current RF offerings already provide exceptional performance and value for photographers looking to get the best portraits possible with their Canon full frame mirrorless cameras.