Pros: Durable, Rugged, Strong Construction, Unbelievably Sharp, Buttery Smooth Bokeh, Consistent Output Cons: Caution Changing Lens, Heavy But Short Is A Plus, Pricey Other thoughts: Results of the images show the pros outweigh the cons.

I've had this incredible Lense for several months now. I've shot several thousand photos with it. Each shot is tack sharp, crisp and clear. With the Lense wide open the subject is isolated in a beautiful creamy bokeh (out of focus area). This Lense is great for portrait photography and indoor...

It's amazing, it's expensive. Just buy it.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is a specialty lens, perfect for portraits with a very shallow depth of field. Its unique view of the world earns it our Editors' Choice award. (4.5 out of 5) Editor's Choice Pros Insane light-gathering capability Capable of very shallow depth of field Superb center...

Insane light-gathering capability; Capable of very shallow depth of field; Superb center sharpness

Focus-by-wire design; No stabilization; Big; Expensive

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM ($2,199 direct)($2,299.00 at Amazon) is one of two f/1.2 lenses in the Canon library, and like the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM($1,349.00 at Dell) it's one without a peer in other camera systems. It captures about 30 percent more light than competing f/1.4 lenses, like the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM($1,099.00 at Amazon), and at similar working distances will also show a shallower depth of field. It's an expensive lens, and it has a few ergonomic quirks. But if you are a portrait specialist and if you can afford it, it's worth your money. The lens is fairly short, but very, very wide. It measures 3.3 by 3.6 inches (HD) and weighs in at a hefty 2.3 pounds. The front element is big, it uses 72mm filters, and the included hood adds both depth and width. The lens ships with a reversible hood, which clips on or off via two buttons, rather than requiring you to mount it via a bayonet system. There's no optical stabilization, but that's a feature that is generally re...

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is a specialty lens, perfect for portraits with a very shallow depth of field. Its unique view of the world earns it our Editors' Choice award.

Insane light-gathering capability; Capable of very shallow depth of field; Superb center sharpness

Focus-by-wire design; No stabilization; Big; Expensive

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM ($2,199 direct) is one of two f/1.2 lenses in the Canon library, and like the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM it's one without a peer in other camera systems. It captures about 30 percent more light than competing f/1.4 lenses, like the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM , and at similar...

Insane light-gathering capability; Capable of very shallow depth of field.

Focus-by-wire design; No stabilization; Big.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM ($2,199 direct) is one of two f/1.2 lenses in the Canon library, and like the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM it's one without a peer in other camera systems. It captures about 30 percent more light than competing f/1.4 lenses, like the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM , and at similar...

I read the reviews on this lens and the 1.8 and thought a long hard about making the extra expenditure. Many people wrote about the 1.8 that they could not see any reason to buy the 1.2, to them I say then you should not. This lens was meant to shoot at 1.2 and when you do it is a marvel to behold.

I use this lens whenever I can. It gives a wonderful crisp image with golden and creamy bokeh in the background. It is wonderful when taking photos with the sun or strong lights behind the subject. The only time I don't use this lens is indoors when I am trying to capture a full body portrait..

I love this lens, the DOF is extremely low as one would expect. I can shoot in near total darkness as long as I have a light for focus assist. Ambient light looks true and beautiful! With that said however this lens is the worst of all I own for backlit subjects.

Superior build quality

Semi-sharp images; chromatic aberration