Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 lens - Canon RF version - review with samples

As I mention 6 or 7 times in this review...I'm pretty excited to see a (relatively) affordable autofocus portrait lens on the front of my Canon EOS R. Let's see how it performs.
This lens will /not/ work on digital SLR cameras, or Canon EOS M cameras - only Canon EOS R system cameras.
All sample pictures taken by me on a Canon EOS R camera.
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Equipment I use for making these reviews and other videos:
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/CanonE...
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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 'Art': geni.us/Sigma5...
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM: geni.us/CanonR...
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Music: 'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons....

[@tcmbrown]

SOOOO happy someone made an 85mm for the RF month that didn't cost $3k and has great image quality.

[@hozo101]

👍🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@mbvglider]

These pictures look absolutely stellar, and the vignetting honestly helps give character to this lens wide open. The bokeh is some of the best I've ever seen.

[@JeffSpeers]

Crossing my fingers to see them make a 24mm 35mm 50mm and 135mm RF! They seem to know what they are doing!

[@Zegmaar_Bas]

tbf, the canon 35mm 1.8 is already really good

[@Fsyic]

They could well do so. They have 24mm,35mm, 45mm and 50mm lenses on Sony E mount. I don't see why they couldn't put these designs on RF 🤔

[@dvon0134]

@@Zegmaar_Bas Lightweight, small size + control ring, have to agree that it's good

[@Zegmaar_Bas]

@@dvon0134 And it has a really close focusing distance and yet it is still really sharp!

[@cedricheinemann3637]

Well I think you talk about Samyang producing the RF lenses in those length right? Because Canon got a 15-35mm f2.8, 50mm f1.2 and a 35mm f1.8. Don’t think, that Samyang really supports so much of the RF lenses, when there are just 2 versions at the moment. The 14mm and the 85mm. (Don’t count the MF... because why)

[@DeepteshLovesTECH]

Good value for money for Canon EOS RP owners!

[@kennysuave5117]

Will this still work even tho it says “Sony E mount”?

[@jaypainespotter]

@@kennysuave5117 They do make an E mount version but this is the RF version. B&H is taking preorders now

[@techoasys]

I just bought mine last week for my Canon EOS RP. Best lens I have used to date. Tack sharp at F1.4, and it's autofocus is fast and accurate. Insane value for $700!

[@HolybasilYT]

I'm amazed at how great Samyang's lenses have been the last few years. Their manual focus lenses have always been good value for money, but now it's that *and* really good alternatives compared to first party lenses. And frankly, the natural pincushion and vignetting would almost be strengths in my use cases.

[@markdbey]

I agree... I own this lens for my Sony A7iii... it is pretty awesome. 😎

[@saptarshidas2245]

That's what you get for hiring employees from the Old Samsung Camera division.

[@aight365]

Samyang RF 85mm f1.4 vs Canon RF 85mm f2

[@FahadAhmed-px6er]

do u know which one better

[@karimrgalimov]

@@FahadAhmed-px6er the Canon one , I shoot cars on it with the eos rp

[@FahadAhmed-px6er]

@@karimrgalimov yes i also thought canon f2 better . because 3rd party lenses r not reliable

[@DJ.1001]

Go with the canon. Having IS is more valuable than 1 stop of aperture. The samyang also has a bit of a warm/yellow color shift.

[@ariels4957]

I returned my canon RF 85mm f2 and got this Samyang 85/1.4 instead

[@TheSlowGrowth]

Honestly, for portraits, I think flaring can actually be a good thing. It can give a whole lot of character to an image when your subjects hair is lit from the setting sun behind them and the flaring washes out some parts of the image.

[@smashexentertainment676]

I love flaring. You have an option to add something naturally artistic to an image instead of inventing it in Photoshop.

[@solidu5s]

Can't wait for the comparison of this vs the new upcoming canon RF85mm F2 lens.

[@ChimaChindaDev]

The photos were the best I’ve seen in any of your videos and the bokeh was so smooth.

[@Zegmaar_Bas]

lol, today for the first time I've shot portraits of a friend on my EOS R because I'm starting with offering my photography professionally and all day I was like 'I whish I had a better lens for portraits, but they're so expensive, so much saving to do' and now this beauty pops up in my feed. Amazing, thank you Chris, your video's always give me a good mood (your Easter message I saw today actually got me crying, woops)! This is probably the first new lens I will buy now :D

[@HeroShotz]

Was about to buy this lens then they announced the rf 85 f2. Cant wait to see your review.

[@Elazarko]

same. which do you think has better chromatic aberration control / fringing ?

[@letsfindout6587]

Any updates??

[@zekepliskin6398]

It's like the bokeh of a vintage lens with the sharpness and colour truism of a modern lens. What a great find! Would love to see a nifty fifty version of this. Wonderful review as always Chris, and always a pleasure seeing your work as a demonstration.

[@kelvinkhangchu]

So happy to confirmed still works great with latest firmware 1.8.2 ❤❤❤ IBIS and High-speed shooting... tested on my R6

[@SixtyFourBlades]

I never really got why people knock vignetting so much in reviews. It's easily correctable and I actually think it adds character to certain images. Especially in portrait work. Not saying that's a negative against you Chris! I love your reviews!

[@mbvglider]

This particular lens has pretty significant edge vignetting at f/2.8, so I do think it's worth mentioning. If it only had corner vignetting, it wouldn't be a problem. If you're working on headshots, you probably want to stop down a bit.

[@jan.tichavsky]

It's correctable at the cost of higher noise and lower contrast, also not available in JPEG. It's one feature on limited design size which mechanically limits the amount of light, not good for night shots or stars. You can always add more in post but not so easily to take it away.

[@geoffreyenriquez]

Usually vignetting drives me crazy for video. But I would rarely use an 85mm for video and for stills yes easily correctable.

[@andrewdoeshair]

This lens is exciting! I just sold off all my EF primes in the portrait range and planned to replace them with the RF 85, but it was reallllllly hard to pull the trigger on it at $2,700 so I ended up going with the RF 70-200, which was much easier to buy at that price since it’s so versatile. I haven’t missed the faster primes yet but I expect to sooner or later, and I’ve already been kind of reluctantly getting myself ready to spend the big BIG bucks on canons RF 85 some day. This lens just might be exactly what I need...

[@braddahjerry]

"Mortal human beings..." lmao so true

[@ttt087]

true story

[@kennysuave5117]

Right 😂😂

[@Moni-qd9no]

Hope you will compare this lens with the upcoming new Canon RF 85mm f2, they are both at similar price ?

[@rimtiggins6078]

Went through three copies of this lens before giving up on it. All of them were decentered to varying degrees and the AF was alarmingly noisy on two of them. Ended up going for the Sigma 85mm 1.4 in the end and that lens is in another league. Perfect across the frame and no AF issues. I'd heard about focus inconsistencies, but it seems like adapting it to mirrorless solves that

[@vinvanid]

Are you speaking about the same lens ? There is Samyang AF 85mm for DSLR that realy different from this RF version ! The RF version is sharper and better, no need to adapting for mirrorless as you mention !

[@rimtiggins6078]

@@vinvanid Yes, I went through three of the RF version because they were decentered. Entire side of the frame out of focus. Samyang are well known for poor QC unfortunately. I adapted the SIGMA 85mm in the end, not Samyang

[@vinvanid]

@@rimtiggins6078 Wow, that's horrible.. i just consider to get that.. Thank you for your sharing 😄

[@peterguava]

When i put my eye on a lens - i always search your chanel if you reviewed this particular lens . Your reviews made me buy or rejecting the lens. I like to take opportunity to thank you for your helpfull content.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I love this one, too. It's spent more time on my EOS R since its arrival than any other lens.

[@kennysuave5117]

Will this still work even tho it says “Sony E mount”?

[@aight365]

Hey Dustin would love to hear from you how you think this lens compares to Canon's upcoming rf 85mm f2.0

[@Retipster]

Great review! Thanks for turning up the volume on the slight autofocus noise, that’s was helpful to hear.

[@tbgtom]

I was SO hoping you'd do this lens. Thank you! This may be my next purchase.

[@cornishblue58]

Another excellent no fuss review. I do like your to the point reviews and very much respect your opinions. Thanks.

[@Princeton_James]

These Rokinons have some beautiful colors. A warmer look than most of my lenses. They definitely have their own look.

[@mauidroneandrealestatecine5859]

Love this lens. Just got it today. Thank you for your review.

[@Neocortyx]

Thx for this lovely review... Would be really interesting to see a comparision with the upcomming CANON RF 85mm f2 MACRO IS STM.. cause both are nearly the same price and the lack of aperture on Canons lens will maybe compensated by IS... Is there a plan to do such a video?! Cheers

[@Moni-qd9no]

Exactly my idea !

[@PAD32]

When I use anything at 2.8 or wider, I actualy like having vignetting. It's not a weakness, it's a feature ^_^ The absence of control ring is a bit disapointing though.

[@kent2000100]

This is a focal length I’m highly interested in. Looking forward to your RF 85mm stm review.

[@albedo0point39]

Excellent! Really hoping Samyang bring their 18mm to RF next. Would be an ideal combo for me alongside Canon’s 35mm... 14mm is a tad wide, and Canon seems to be ignoring wide primes on its own roadmap.

[@bryanbeaty6730]

Would love to see a head to head comparison of this lens and the Sigma Art lens mentioned briefly.

[@yourtallness]

Canon announced the 85mm f/2 macro IS which also sounds interesting paired with the 35mm f/1.8.

[@iyzyz]

Stunning lens for the price. Bravo Samyang. Can't wait for the 135mm.

[@ToshLubek]

At last. The start of affordable good quality lenses.

[@theizza68]

Isn't it the same lens that came out for Sony e mount?

[@naomimavro9208]

No, it is not. Is a complete diffrent lens.

[@InterMaus]

I would love to see this also be available for nikon Z at some point.

[@mikemtz8891]

Already on the wish list. Thanks for the video

[@jan.tichavsky]

Thinking about getting Canon R5, this would be great lens for it. Otherwise the basic RF kit would cost as much as small car.

[@andreasmaier3034]

I would like to see an RF version of the 18mm, 45mm and 75mm Samyang lenses.

[@staLkerhu]

Omg yes! The 18mm f/2.8 would be lovely!

[@wilismatrix9847]

After your recommendation I ordered it and I just received it, I am having a focus hunting issue with it on Canon R5 :/ I ordered a base station to update, I hope it is just an update issue else I will have to return it ☹

[@RubenvanKuik]

Massive bonus points for using Artis the Partis as a prop :)

[@JaredHoyman]

I've probably watch this video 3 or 4 times over the last year. I'm an architectural photographer but on the rare occasion I crave an 85mm. I have canons 15-35 and 24-70, but I don't want to spend the money on their 85. Do you still use this lens after all this time and do you have a long term opinion on it now? Thank you Chris!

[@theizza68]

Gorgeous pictures. I personally think the quality of the bokeh this lens renders is actually better than the Canon 85mm f1.2 DSLR version.

[@waynesaladine9937]

I just purchased the canon rf 85 1.2 online and waiting for it to arrive. I was looking at the Samyang but was unsure how well it would hold up with backlight portraits

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

Hold up to backlight? What does that even mean?

[@gwal93]

There are several versions of 85mm f1.4 lenses from Samyang. Two with RF mounts - one Auto Focus reviewed here and a manual focus version. An EF mount Auto Focus, an older aspherical IF manual as well as a T1.5 cine version with notched focus ring for a follow focus mechanism. Despite some similarities in appearance of a couple of them all these lenses are quite different internally and are priced differently. The RF mount Autofocus is the newest one and the most expensive. However the EF AF one is a bit cheaper than the RF one and has less elements so making it lighter. This makes me think the new AF RF one may be the EF one with a built in RF adapter. In which case if the performance is similar and you already have a Eos EF to RF converter the EF version might save some money. But the largest price variation, £300, is found in the 85mm f1.4 Rf manual focus version. The design looks different and is but again if the performance is similar and your needs are portraits or say product photography where AF is not important then this MF version is very good. I have no idea really if, compared side by side, which Samyang 85mm offers the best value for money for putting on a Canon R mirrorless (assuming you already have an EF to RF adapter). The price of this AF RF version is a bit off putting but I suppose it is very cheap compared to a Canon 85mm f1.2.

[@alexandrepapon2466]

Love your reviews and comments, thanks again for your work :)

[@BadgerofBitcoin]

Wonderful review as always Chris. I’d love to know if these are jpegs or processed raw files. The colours are simply delicious and I’m wondering how much of that is down to your post processing skills? Thanks.

[@Janet_Airlines802]

Is the Rokinon the same exact lens just different labeling?

[@TheSignOfJonah]

Can you do an updated 85mm f1.4 comparison (RF vs EF / Canon vs. Samyang vs. Tamron vs. Sigma)? I’d really like to see the order of these lenses rated from least to best!

[@christopherfrost]

I'll probably do a big 85mm comparison test later in the year

[@future62]

Thanks for this! What does this lens show up as in EXIF? I get the feeling Samyang is using the EF communication protocol.

[@Koney87]

So which one is better in 85mm RF? The Samyang or Yongnuo?

[@seventeencents]

So for a Canon R5/R6, this or the Canon RF 85mm f/2 that's coming soon? I'm torn because IS and a closer minimum focus distance sounds nice, but on the other hand f1.4 is a meaningful improvement for portraiture and event shots and the new bodies DO have IBIS.

[@vaxchen2054]

I have the same problem, should I get this one or wait for the Canon f2 lens?

[@michaelbell75]

Wait a few weeks until the RF 85 f/2 is out and test them both

[@HeroShotz]

How is this compared to the EF version ? If they are the same you can save some money and adapt it.

[@wildbill4680]

You are my go to reviewer! Thank you

[@woozyjoe4703]

Has this lens gone out of production?

[@MiCoke03]

Another awesome review! Really love your reviews! Would like to get a little bit more insight on the lens’ lack of stabilization though. All the reviews I’ve seen loved this lens, up to recommending it for wedding shoots, which most likely would be handheld shoot. I think that’s the only “major” negative thing about the lens but based on the reviews, its negligible..? I’m really curious.

[@KROMAprd]

Can't find this lens ANYWHERE right now! :o

[@lukas_06_photo83]

Canon Blocked third party rf lenses and forced samyang to Stop Produktion sadly

[@paulbeckmann]

Great review as always! Thanks! VERY HELPFUL!

[@dennisjin1080]

Why I can't find this lens on the internet now? Did Canon stop them from producing it?

[@jeffsimbro7742]

Christopher, I love your videos and hope you can help me! I loved your review of this Samyang RF 85mm 1.4 so much that I pre-ordered it! I received it from my local retailer today and the brand name says Rokinon. I have heard that the names Samyang and Rokinon are interchangeable but was hoping you could put me at ease. I just wanted to be sure that Rokinon wasn't a lesser quality. Do you have any information or insight on this? I really appreciate what you do and thank you in advance for your help. Thank you so much, Jeff

[@evanh75]

I am not Christopher, but I can assure that Samyang and Rockinon are exactly the same.

[@姚仁全]

This lens looks awesome! Could you have a comparison review for this Samyang lens vs. EF 85mm f1.8 & EF 85mm f1.4? thanks!

[@ayfj4572]

The FE version of this lens has a strong yellow colour cast, I wonder if this lens exhibits the same behaviour as it's basically the same optical design.

[@taylorbrawner2052]

I’d love to see the 35mm 2.8 pancake in the RF mount!

[@christopherfrost]

Me too - I'd love to see all of Samyang's AF lenses on RF mount :-)

[@taylorbrawner2052]

Christopher Frost Photography same, I just didn’t wanna be greedy either :) 😂

[@alexandrupohata9235]

I really like the lens. Thank you for the tip, Chris!

[@wooster7571]

Hi Chris. I watched a few video reviews of this lens but started to wonder if there was any higher light transmission at f1.4 than there was with the Canon 85mm f2 at f2. Have you any observations on this?

[@mikeliumedia]

Is the Rokinon one exactly the same? I found one cheaper than the samyang

[@MrRodahi]

Mr. Frost has stated in other videos that the Rokinon is made in the Samyang factory. Should be identical with different branding. Rokinon do seem cheaper.

[@shawndecker426]

Does anyone know if this works with the EOS R8? My SP 85mm f1.2 ef wasn't read by the R8 so the aperture control doesn't work 😩

[@silencenhikes6692]

Do you have fuji 100-400 review or the 50-140 on your channel? Or just canon lenses?

[@YourStoryStudios]

Very thorough and helpful lens review! Thank you!

[@yjl5476]

Will there be a review for Voigtlander 10mm f5.6? I know it's an old lens, but I'm considering buying one for my a6600.

[@floetic]

Do you find this lens loud in SERVO AF? Mine is super loud, with the autofocus motor constantly whirring, even when tracked on to a face. Makes SERVO AF unusable in video without an external mic. Not sure if I may have a faulty lens?

[@SICKFREDO]

I wish they had the 135mm auto focus for canon 😢 and reading reviews on people using adapters aren’t very promising

[@marroquinjonathan88]

Bro ive missed you videos. Thank you again

[@konsamprincesingh7763]

Your lens reviews is always a determining factor for all my purchases. This model seems quite good. Is this 85 mm model available for NIkon Z Cameras

[@MaxArceus]

Everywhere where I look for this lens, it's always either the Sony FE version, or the Canon RF version. It's so hard to find reviews of the Nikon F version. At first I figured it wouldn't matter, same lens, but no, it's not the same lens. It's a totally different internal structure.. and I really don't know if I can use all these reviews, such as this one, to judge the one that'd actually fit on my camera..

[@denisj13]

Oh wow. Great to hear that you lived in Korea :)

[@mitchellweitzman9329]

Chris, how do you do the image quality tests? Like with your grid of images you use to review each lens

[@MultiDeivas]

Hi Christopher, I really appreciate your reviews. Lately I've been eyeing Tokina 14-20 F2. Do you have any experience with this lens and would you ever review it in the future?

[@christopherfrost]

A review is coming in the future - I hear good things about it

[@sohamroy9766]

Do you know if the EF version of this lens works well with the EF-RF adapter on EOS R?

[@orshanti]

thank you Chris! and betwen this lens and the tamron sp 85 1.8 which one is better?

[@dougcapon5952]

Thanks Chris great review, lens looks amazing. Was in the market for one of these looks like it may be tricky hunting a new one down soon though as have been to the Samyang site and they have pulled all RF lenses ??

[@greenandyellowvegetables]

it has been discontinued in korea maybe something is going wrong between samyang and canon(RF mount)

[@karstenhelle]

I have just bought This lens, and i alredy just love it, sharp, fantastic colors and fast Autofocus,

[@Francisfphoto_]

Still working perfect since you have it?

[@karstenhelle]

Francisfreychet yep works fine, glad i bought this

[@damir10535]

@@karstenhelle And how about that vignette wide open? Is it bad?

[@karstenhelle]

@@damir10535 no not really photoshop have no problem with it

[@karstenhelle]

@@damir10535 no i don´t Think it`s bad just needs a little adjusment

[@christopherminnerly1133]

This is an amazing lens for the price, I know I bought one in early December. This is a good honest review. My only problem was I could'nt get the updates unit to work on my modern apple computer.

[@artmaltman]

Excellent news here! Question: my Sony mount version of this lens has a slight yellow tint to its results. Correctible in post but makes it harder to assess colors during shoot. Does the Canon mount version do this? Thank you.

[@christopherfrost]

I didn't notice

[@MichaelMa]

안녕하세요 크리스토퍼 프로스트. I love that Samyang is making auto focus lenses now. They are such a great bargain per performance. I'll be looking forward to a AF 35mm 1.4 RF.

[@PeacePham1991]

Thank you for the video. You mentioned it's not the sharpest 85mm lens you've tested so what are other 85mm lenses that are sharper?

[@christopherfrost]

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 'L', Sigma 85mm f/1.4 'Art' (although those lenses are more expensive)

[@stuartfit]

Looks like the "sweet spot" for this lens is F4 but shooting wide open and cropping a bit off those corners should solve the problem. I believe with higher resolution cameras it's not an issue anymore.

[@FauxtakuLounge]

You live in a wonderfully beautiful place. And the review is wonderful. Many thanks. I should ask: is it aspherical?

[@patrickpcli]

Hi Chris, I also want see the test on the EF version of this lens. Could you have a test on that lens too?

[@naomimavro9208]

I have the EF version of this lens and I think is kind of the same ... I use it with Eos R and the adapter and it is great, honestly I would love it to have IBIS but I guess at this price you cannot have everything...

[@greggv12345]

Thanks a lot for the review Compared to the Tamron SP85mm which one you prefer ?

[@christopherfrost]

This

[@chriswoodman_photography]

Interesting, will have to sell my tamron SP 85 when my R5 arrives and buy this lens.

[@Mart_402]

Awesome review again. Love your videos. Can you maybe make a behind the scenes video? I would love to see how you're doing the testing and how your workflow is for reviewing the lenses.

[@christopherfrost]

I would do, but it really wouldn't be interesting enough, just me painstakingly setting up tripods and test charts etc

[@Mart_402]

Ah I see. Maybe a behind the scenes picture of the test chart for example in a future lens review would work.

[@christopherfrost]

@@Mart_402 TBH - it's just a big test chart, printed at high quality on a large sheet of metal - nothing particularly interesting, I'm afraid!

[@frankluo230]

Look forward to seeing 18mm 45mm 85mm and 135mm available in Z RF L mounts

[@abhishekdeepak]

Were you unable to get sharp focus on the eyes when the aperture is set at f/1.4?

[@christopherfrost]

It worked fine

[@kronusaerospace8872]

I do have to wonder why it's taking Sigma and Tamron so long to release their lenses on the RF mount. Those two companies are dozens of times larger than Samyang (and Viltrox) afterall. Regardless, Samyang has a bit of a monopoly in the budget space here, seeing as the equivalent Canon lens is 3x the price! Even adapted DSLR lenses will be more expensive (or worse optically) than this.

[@binaryblog]

I really hope Samyang will release soon more AF lenses for RF mount. 35 1.4 and 50 1.4 would be an instant buy for me.

[@akmosmusic]

excellent job Mr Thank you so match for the video, it's now for 499 in uk i am ordering one next week

[@sostius]

where can u buy this lens in UK?

[@giannigallo97]

hy cris, did u try this beast on the r6 ??

[@estoylisto]

I was considering the F mount version for long time them got the Nikon 85mm 1.8g ... seeing this review and the FE version, I thought this lens worth reconsidering... I thought it is the same version as the dslr lens with extension as the back to adapt to mirrorless system .. but it turned out the mirrorless version has more glass and superior image quality specially wide open ... I hope a Nikon Z version to come soon then it will be compared to the Nikon 85 1.8 S lens

[@nicholsonphotodesigns8700]

I am definitely going to purchase this lens.

[@Francisfphoto_]

Hey Chris! Sorry to bother you, but man... you’re the most sincere guy over here! Weight, size and price aside... just pure image quality, rendering and reliability: this or Sigma 85mm f1.4 ART?

[@gianlucaloizzo3798]

I would also like to know. Which did you buy then?

[@Francisfphoto_]

@@gianlucaloizzo3798 sigma!

[@happyworld9424]

Which to chose for canon r7? Samyang 85mm rf or viltrox 85mm rf? I'm confused