Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

With no fewer than 80 lenses available for its EF and EF-S mount cameras, Canon users have an extensive range of lenses at their fingertips. But there are still a few additions that some photographers have always wanted to see. For many, the biggest hole has been an L-series 85mm prime boasting a maximum aperture of f/1.4.

Anyone familiar with Canon's lens range will know that, up until recently, there were only two 85mm prime lenses to choose from. There's the reasonably affordable EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (£325), and the bokehlicious EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM (£1,765), which comes at a hefty premium. Third-party options include the splendid Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (£999) or Tamron 85mm f/1.8 SP Di VC USD (£749), but the good news for brand-loyal Canon users is that the wait for a fast telephoto prime with superior optics to the ageing EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is finally over. The