I finally pulled the trigger on a Canon R6 and I am so stoked to start shooting! Im planning this massive bucket list trip to the Swiss Alps in three weeks so I need to get my kit sorted fast. I spent hours watching reviews and everyone raves about the RF 50mm f1.2 L being the sharpest thing ever but then I see people swearing by the 85mm f1.2 for that crispness. My budget is capped at $2400 so I can only pick one high end prime right now. Is the 85mm actually sharper or just more bokeh-heavy? I want something that captures every tiny detail in those mountain landscapes but I'm worried about the weight... what do you guys think?
Be careful, MTF data says the 85mm is sharper but hiking with heavy glass is hell.
- Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM: sharpest
- Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM: portable Watch your back tho.
The 85 is sharper but Ive been really satisfied with the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM. It works well for landscapes, fits your budget, and weighs way less.
Adding my two cents as I did a mountain trek with heavy glass last year. The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is basically a piece of lab equipment it is so sharp, but hiking with it is a total workout. I remember lugging a heavy prime through the Rockies and my neck was killing me by lunch. For landscapes, you usually stop down to f8 anyway, so the f1.2 aperture becomes less of a factor for sharpness across the frame. A few technical bits to weigh:
- It weighs about 1.2kg, which is significantly heavy for a full day of hiking.
- Chromatic aberration is basically non-existent on this model thanks to the specialized glass coatings.
- It takes 82mm filters, which are more expensive for high-quality polarizers needed for snow peaks. If you want the absolute pinnacle of detail and can handle the bulk, it definitely works. Just be aware that 85mm can feel a bit tight for those massive Alpine vistas.
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
