tbh the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is the best value. I checked the MTF charts and its crazy sharp. The 5-stop stabilization is a huge help compared to the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Honestly, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is 5x the cost for marginal gains. Save the cash for gear that actually makes you money like lighting or better storage.

Disagree slightly. For pro reliability, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is best. You need the weather sealing and USM motor so you dont risk gear failure during outdoor sessions... worth the cost.

Same here!

If we look at this from a pure optics and engineering standpoint, the gap between the consumer primes and the L series is actually pretty huge when you analyze the internal glass elements. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM uses Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics which basically deletes axial chromatic aberration—that annoying purple or green fringing you usually see in high-contrast outdoor shots. If youre doing pro work where you need to crop in, thats a massive time saver in post, ngl. Another technical detail people overlook is the aperture diaphragm. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has a 9-blade design which is decent, but the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM only has 7. For creamy backgrounds, those extra blades keep the bokeh circles rounder even when you arent shooting wide open. Basically, more blades equals smoother out-of-focus highlights. Also, consider the AF motor lag. The STM motors in the non-L lenses are gear-driven and definitely have more latency than the Ring USM in the pro stuff. On an R6 Mark II, you really want a motor that can keep pace with that crazy eye-tracking system. Since Canon hasnt fully opened the RF mount to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art yet, youre basically stuck choosing between the budget gear or the flagship glass. If you do outdoor sessions and have the space, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is actually the technical king for compression and background separation, tho it definitely costs a fortune.