diff --git a/src/_pytest/logging.py b/src/_pytest/logging.py
index 245b7aed0..804059aad 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/logging.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/logging.py
@@ -303,13 +303,13 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser: Parser) -> None:
     add_option_ini(
         "--log-file-format",
         dest="log_file_format",
-        default=DEFAULT_LOG_FORMAT,
+        default=None,
         help="Log format used by the logging module",
     )
     add_option_ini(
         "--log-file-date-format",
         dest="log_file_date_format",
-        default=DEFAULT_LOG_DATE_FORMAT,
+        default=None,
         help="Log date format used by the logging module",
     )
     add_option_ini(
@@ -635,7 +635,9 @@ class LoggingPlugin:
         self.report_handler.setFormatter(self.formatter)
 
         # File logging.
-        self.log_file_level = get_log_level_for_setting(config, "log_file_level")
+        self.log_file_level = get_log_level_for_setting(
+            config, "log_file_level", "log_level"
+            )
         log_file = get_option_ini(config, "log_file") or os.devnull
         if log_file != os.devnull:
             directory = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(log_file))