Hire

Canon L-series 85mm f1.4 IS

Rental rates by duration, ex VAT
DurationRate (ex VAT)
1 day£40.00
3 days£80.00
10 days£136.00
Required deposit£247.00
Availability
No dates selected

Select hire dates to confirm stock for your period.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM takes everything photographers loved about the classic Canon 85mm f1.2  and packages it into a lens that's more practical and more versatile for modern shooting. While the legendary 85mm f/1.2L remains famous for its unique character and ultra-shallow depth of field, the 85mm f/1.4L is often the lens many working photographers actually prefer to use day-to-day.

For portrait photographers, it's an exceptional lens. The 85mm focal length naturally flatters facial features, while the f/1.4 aperture provides beautiful background separation and smooth, creamy bokeh. Whether you're shooting portraits, weddings, events, fashion, or commercial work, the lens delivers the kind of image quality clients expect from Canon's professional L-series range.

One of the biggest differences compared to the f/1.2L is autofocus performance. The f/1.4 focuses significantly faster and more confidently, making it much better suited to weddings, events, moving subjects, and situations where you need to react quickly. Many photographers consider this the more practical choice because it combines outstanding image quality with the speed and reliability needed for professional work.

The lens also features Image Stabilisation, something the 85mm f/1.2L doesn't offer. This can be particularly useful when shooting handheld in lower light conditions, allowing photographers to work at slower shutter speeds while maintaining sharp images.

For filmmakers and videographers, the lens remains an excellent choice for interviews, commercial productions, documentaries, and narrative filmmaking. It provides the flattering compression and cinematic subject separation that 85mm lenses are known for, while maintaining excellent sharpness and contrast throughout the frame.

As part of Canon's professional L-series lineup, the build quality is excellent and the EF mount allows compatibility with a huge range of Canon cameras, Cinema EOS systems, and RF-mount cameras using Canon's EF-RF adapters or EF-E adapters for use with Sony E-Mount cameras.

It may not have quite the supersmooth bokeh and background separation of the f/1.2L, but for many professionals, its faster autofocus, image stabilisation, and everyday usability make it the lens they reach for most often.

FAQ

How do I book equipment?

Choose your equipment, select your hire dates and complete your booking online. Payment is taken when you place your booking.

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept UK-issued payment cards only. Your card must be registered to the address we’re delivering the equipment to, unless our team has approved an alternative arrangement in advance.

Do your prices include VAT?

You can use the VAT toggle to view prices including or excluding VAT. Each price is clearly labelled so you can see which option you’re viewing.

How old do I need to be to hire equipment?

You must be at least 18 to hire from Kit Cabin.

What documents do I need to provide?

For account verification, we require:

  • Two forms of photo ID: Ideally a passport and driving licence
  • Two proofs of address: such as utility bill, bank statement, or government/council letter

Professional accounts also require company information and trade references.

Do I need to verify my account for every hire?

No. Returning customers do not need to repeat account verification for each booking unless they are using a different address.

Which dates should I select when booking?

Select the dates you need to use the equipment. Delivery and return arrangements depend on those dates, including whether they fall on a weekend or bank holiday.

Check the delivery and collection schedule carefully to make sure it works with your shoot.

How are weekend hires charged?

Saturday and Sunday are charged together as one hire day.

We don’t deliver or collect on weekends or bank holidays, so a weekend hire will normally be delivered on the preceding working day and collected on the next working day.

Can I extend my hire?

Please call us if you need to extend your hire. Extensions must be arranged by phone so we can check availability and confirm any additional charges.

Where do you deliver?

We deliver throughout mainland UK.

How much does delivery cost?

Delivery charges depend on the weight of your order. Some larger items also carry an additional charge because of their size.

What time will my equipment arrive?

We usually ship with APC using a pre-noon delivery service. You should receive a delivery window on the day.

You should also receive a collection window on your scheduled return day.

Do you deliver or collect on weekends and bank holidays?

No. Deliveries and collections take place on working days only.

If your hire falls over a weekend or bank holiday, the delivery and collection dates will need to allow for this.

How do I return the equipment?

A return shipping label should be included with your equipment. Pack everything securely, remove the old shipping label and attach the return label before your scheduled collection.

If your return label is missing, please contact us.

Can I collect and return equipment in person?

Yes. Equipment can be collected and returned at our locations in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham. Contact us to arrange your collection or return.

Do I need to pay a security deposit?

A refundable security deposit may be required depending on your account level. The amount is based on the replacement value of the equipment you’re hiring.

The deposit is taken as a payment, rather than a temporary card authorisation.

When will my deposit be refunded?

Your deposit is refunded once the equipment has been returned and checked in, subject to any deductions under our damage policy.

The optional Damage Waiver fee is separate from your deposit and is non-refundable.

What is the optional Damage Waiver?

The Damage Waiver is an optional, non-refundable fee available to Personal Accounts where the total replacement value of the equipment is under £3,000.

If you select it, your liability for covered accidental damage is limited to the amount of your security deposit.

It is not insurance. It does not cover loss, theft, deliberate damage, misuse or negligence. You remain responsible for those costs.

What happens if I don’t select the Damage Waiver?

Without the Damage Waiver, you remain responsible for the full repair or replacement cost of damage incurred during your hire, in accordance with our hire terms.

Your security deposit is not a limit on your liability. If the amount due exceeds your deposit, you will be invoiced for the balance.

Do I need hired-in equipment insurance?

Insurance is not required for every hire, but it is required for higher-value bookings. You must arrange your own cover - we do not provide insurance.

The Damage Waiver is only available to Personal Accounts hiring equipment with a total replacement value under £3,000. Contact us before booking if you’re unsure which requirements apply.

What should I do if equipment is damaged, lost or stolen?

Contact us as soon as possible so we can advise you on the next steps.

You are responsible for the applicable repair or replacement costs under our hire terms, subject to any protection provided by an eligible Damage Waiver or your own insurance.

Is equipment checked before dispatch?

Yes. All equipment is checked before dispatch.

What should I do if something is missing, damaged or not working?

Contact us as soon as possible if anything arrives damaged, is missing or isn’t working as expected. Our team will help you resolve the issue.

What if equipment develops a fault during my hire?

Contact us as soon as you notice a problem. We’ll help you troubleshoot it and discuss the next steps.

When can I contact your team?

Our team is available by phone and email, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking or change your hire dates. Cancellation charges may apply, and date changes depend on equipment availability. This does not affect your statutory rights.

What time will my equipment arrive?

We usually ship with APC using a service that aims to deliver before noon. Delivery before noon is not guaranteed. You should receive a delivery window on the day.

You should also receive a collection window on your scheduled return day.

When will my deposit be refunded?

We normally check equipment back in the day after it arrives with us. Your refundable deposit will then be refunded, subject to any deductions under our damage policy.

The optional Damage Waiver fee is separate from your deposit and is non-refundable.

Do I need hired-in equipment insurance?

You must arrange your own hired-in equipment insurance if the total replacement value of your hire is £3,000 or more. We do not provide insurance.

For hires with a replacement value under £3,000, insurance is not required. Personal Account customers can instead choose our optional Damage Waiver, which limits liability for covered accidental damage but is not insurance.

Which dates should I select when booking?

Select the dates you need to use the equipment. We arrange delivery for the working day before your hire starts and collection for the working day after it ends, so you have the equipment for your full selected hire period.

Do you deliver or collect on weekends and bank holidays?

No. Deliveries and collections take place on working days only.

If your hire starts or ends next to a weekend or bank holiday, we arrange delivery on the preceding working day and collection on the following working day.

How do weekend hires work?

Saturday and Sunday are charged together as one hire day.

For a Saturday–Sunday hire, we normally deliver on Friday and collect on Monday. If either is a bank holiday, delivery moves to the preceding working day or collection to the following working day.