Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens Sample Pictures

Put the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens on the EOS R50, and you have an impressive portrait kit in your hands. The images produced by that combination belie the cost, as the R50 and RF 85 F2 are priced at the bottom of their class.

Support columns often provide a great portrait background. Their subtle toning and (usually) white color do not compete for attention. In this case, the model's head was framed within one column, with two additional columns completing the backdrop.

Add a background-matching white coat and the 85 F2's background blur to make the model's hair and face grab the viewer's attention.

Want a little life in your subject's hair? A fan can work or, less controlled, wind will move hair. The latter occurred on this day, with shot timing aimed at seeing a gentle lift.

A head and shoulders portrait captured at 85mm f/2 will generate a strong background blur if some space is provided. What is in the background becomes less important than the color and shapes present there.

Portaits dominate my 85mm uses, and the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens is a bargain portrait lens.

The wide f/2 aperture permits a strong background blur that does not compete for attention.

Focusing very closely with a telephoto lens while using a very wide aperture creates a very shallow depth of field and, potentially, a very strong background blur that makes the focused-on subject eye-catching.

The 85mm focal length is a perfect choice for partial body portraits. The working distance is very comfortable and the perspective created from that distance is flattering to the subject.

Flowers are among the most beautiful subjects we encounter, but they tend to be small in size. That means a lens with a strong reproduction ratio/high maximum magnification are required to fill the frame with this beauty. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens is a great choice for your flower subjects.

The 85mm background blur becomes significantly less strong when backing up far enough to include a subject's entire body comfortably in the frame.

What is a rescue snake?

I rescued him from a cold swimming pool. The small (very clean) garter snake rewarded me by A: not biting, and B: hanging out on a rock in the warm sun for a few minutes while I captured him again, this time photographically. Note that keeping the snake in the plane of sharp focus at f/2 was challenging, requiring careful orientation of the camera.

The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens, with its close-focusing capabilities, is a great choice for walking around the garden (or nearly anywhere) with.

While this lens can focus extremely close, getting too close to your subject can result in an unflattering perspective. The 85mm focal length is a great choice for loosely-framed headshots and head and shoulder portraits.

The soft lighting seen here is from large windows.