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Canon

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM — 135mm f/1.8 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$2,099

Launch price

Released Aug 2023

vs
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon RF Mount

Hybrid L-series 85mm with VCM autofocus, manual iris ring, and weather sealing.

$1,649

Launch price

Released Feb 2025

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 1.4 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

PortraitVideo & Hybrid

Wins

5categories

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Portrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM wins 2 categories·RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM wins 3 categories
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.29 × vs 0.12 ×)
  • BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Weight (636 g vs 935 g)
  • BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Length (99.3 mm vs 130.4 mm)
  • BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USMRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Focal Length135 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight935 g636 g
Min Focus70 cm75 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

89 × 130 mm

935 g (2.06 lb / 32.98 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM shown to scale

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

77 × 99 mm

636 g (1.40 lb / 22.43 oz)

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 31mm longer and 13mm wider than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 299 g heavier than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 135mm F1.8 L IS USMRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Portrait
9.0Excellent
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.29 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    70 cm vs 75 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

  • Weight

    636 g vs 935 g — lower is better

  • Length

    99.3 mm vs 130.4 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76.5 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM and RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Elements
12
14
Groups
9
10
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Min focus distance
70 cm−5 cm less
75 cm
Max magnification
0.29 ×2.4× more
0.12 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Weight
935 g
636 g−299 g less
Length
130.4 mm
99.3 mm−31 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
76.5 mm−13 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.