Sirui Aurora 85mm F1.4 Review | A Full Frame Portrait Dream?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

This episode is sponsored by Into the AM. Use the code DUSTIN10 for an additional 10% off at intotheam.com/DUSTIN10.

[@johnhann1852]

Beggars cannot be choosers, but if you were to release the Samyang comparison before the end of December (I know, so much to already do!), your audience could make a purchase decision before the intro rate disappears. Thanks for all your excellent reviews

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm afraid I don't have the Samyang on hand to do a comparison...and all my slots are booked through nearly the end of January. That being said, I would actually be surprised if Sirui does the full $100 increase of price. I could be wrong, but often these promotional discounts become permanent.

[@acouragefann]

I really appreciate you going into the nitty gritty when it comes to the difference in resolving power based on the distance one focuses at. Many reviewers gloss over this and seem to pretend that a chart test is a great representation of sharpness no matter what, when in reality, many lenses might test well at one distance and worse at another. This seems like a solid option for the price!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out.

[@RBullCZ]

Thank you for this informative and balanced review! It is great to have such choice of lenses by traditional and new manufacturers but it is also good to have fair and true reviews.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@giuliodeleo7044]

Great review Dustin! I bought this lens in order to learn more about this focal length and achieve some better results in live performing arts video and photos work. Maybe I will upgrade to the GM II, but for the moment I'm really happy with It. Thank you very much for the info about the relationship between the distance of the subject, the aperture and the level of contrast. As always, you are the best!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad you are enjoying the lens.

[@zeeblez]

This lens is a bit like those earlier Viltrox lenses pre-Hoya glass where the glass quality itself held back the lens designer's work. Quite a huge leap when Viltrox shifted to Hoya

[@Kliffot]

Exactly what I thought

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

100%. I think you nailed it.

[@Twobarpsi]

Very nice thorough review DA!!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@afferist]

thank you, I was waiting for your review

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Enjoy

[@petezenith]

Thank you very much, Dustin. Really appresiate

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@Ryan_Secord]

Perhaps you could do a list video of your top "best bokeh lenses I have ever tested" on Sony, even using footage from previous videos if you are not currently in possession of some of the best.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Not a bad idea...though it is finding room in my schedule with all the new releases to do a video like that.

[@Ryan_Secord]

@DustinAbbottTWI As an all-time list, probably wise to wait until after the heavy release season anyway in case you run into a top contender for bokeh.

[@mxxmauuhan3597]

Great work

[@vukhuat4251]

Great review as usual. I'm looking forward to your review of this lens but for Fujifilm X-Mount version.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure that I'll be covering it again on Fuji. I'm so busy as it is that I'm typically working on content that won't be released for six weeks in advance. Not a lot of room to add lots of additional coverage of specific lenses.

[@BobN54]

Interesting review, one I'll take note of. I think you got the definition of 'entrance pupil' wrong, though. The entrance pupil isn't the size of the front element. It's the size of the aperture stop seen through the front of the lens. Every 85/1.4 will have the same entrance pupil, 85/1.4mm, = 60.7mm. What you meant was 'front element', which I guess more people would have understood anyway. Minor point, but if you're using jargon best to use it correctly. Apart from that - good work.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough.

[@pierre3077]

Thanks a lot for this review and your reviews in general. It's always a great pleasure when looking for the review of a lens to find your review. Very tempted by a 85mm 1.4 to go with a Sony A7CR. The Sigma 85mm 1.4 meet my expectation, but I still need to accept the size & weight of this kind of lens and I'm still looking for the five-legged sheep with great quality, lightweight, compact and low price if possible (and in any case not more than the Sigma).

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a tall order, as these lenses are at least relatively small compared to previous 85mm options.

[@rui-uh5ib]

Nice review, I hope someday Canon open his mount to third party lenses... There will be an RF 28-70 2.8 STM review?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed. I can't make any promises on the RF reviews, as Canon Canada has no loaner program anymore and I am finding it very hard to get Rf loaners.

[@Francisfphoto_]

PLEASE YES! Sigma vs Sirui would be amazing!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Stay tuned.

[@rhykko77]

Excellent as always. When you do your ''hand test" at 8 min ..... Approx how much distance between the back of your head and the wall behind you ? Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

About 20 feet - 6.5 meters.

[@jeremyg9305]

Small question I have after watching about 20 or so of your videos, one of my favorite tests of yours is the aperture vs contrast performance, but I've noticed most of the frame is bright in this test. Are the results different when shooting images of bright patterns on a darker background, basically an inversed test image??

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure I fully understand your question.

[@jeremyg9305]

@DustinAbbottTWI as you close the aperture, the resulting image gains contrast. Is the low contrast of a fully open aperture a result of how bright the overall test scene is and the amount of light that bounces around inside the lens - or will the stark contrast fall off also be the case even under more neutral lighting? Basically, if the background behind the blue 10 mark bill was a light grey instead of bright white, would the contrast on the bill be higher because it isn't being washed out by the amount of reflected light?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

@@jeremyg9305 It's the same test chart I've used for hundreds of other reviews, so the lack of contrast is based on the lens, not the chart. I saw similar things in real world tests.

I use a 35mm or 50mm GM on the main camera for interviews. I’m looking for a 70/85mm to add as a second angled cam but I’m having a hard time to pull the trigger on the 85mm GM II only for this purpose. What would be the right budget choice in my case? Samyang? Sigma? SIRUI? Sony 1.8? If it could also match my the color rendition of the 35/50mm GM that would also spare me some color grading hassle. Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would argue going Sigma is you are trying to match to a GM. The contrast levels are going to be more similar.

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you for sharing your advice!

[@jakub_nerad]

Hi Dustin, do you will sometimes review Meike 85mm 1.4? I want compare these two lenses, because I want to buy some native 85mm 1.4 for Nikon Z.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I can't make any promises, so don't wait on me.

[@samuelhorn1]

Thanks. Been waiting for your review. Would love a comparison with Samyang before the discount runs out on this 😊 🙏🏻

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Unfortunately I don't have access to the Samyang anymore, but I will do one with the Sigma.

[@samuelhornafrantzien7590]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks for your reply! 🙏🏼 From your memory, from the previous review. Which would you say overall is the better lens for an a7riii? Sharpness is important, but what is even more important is the character in my opinion. It will be used for street and family portraits mostly. I can get them for about the same price, and what draws me towards the Sirui is the 67mm filter thread and the awesome bookeh, I feel that the Samyang is much busier. But after watching both of your reviews many times now, I'm afraid that the Samyang is much superior.

[@zyxyuv1650]

hello Dustin, can you please consider making this difficult episode that no channel has attempted to make. The Battle Royale for budget 85s in 2024. All six of them COMPARED: - Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 FE II - Samyang AF 75mm F1.8 FE - Sirui Aurora 85mm F1.4 - 7Artisans 85mm F1.8 AF - TTArtisan AF 75mm F2 - Yongnuo YN 85mm F1.8S DF DSM This would be really helpful if such a comparison actually existed and we could hear your full analysis. Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II may be the 7th contender, though the price starts crossing the $500 mark

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm afraid that probably won't happen. I have a few of the lenses on that list on hand, but most of them I don't.

[@lionheart4424]

Great review as always, Dustin! I am waiting to see how this lens performs on Fuji X-Mount. Since its faster than the XF 90mm F2, I was hoping to go with this lens. But rendering of XF lenses is exceptional so I might get the Fuji lens and bite the loss of the faster aperture.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's an interesting point. I would say the 90 is definitely higher contrast, but this lens is definitely going to give it a run for its money otherwise.

[@lordnilsson]

Which is the best 85 mm full frame at a reasonable price...?

[@sgpork]

Which brand.. if sony. Then FE 85 1.8 is good for what it can do and price.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would say that the current competition is probably between this lens and the Samyang. The Sigma is great if your budget is more in the $1000 range.

[@lordnilsson]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Keep an eye on the new metallic version of Yongnuo 85 mm 1,8..!! Fine reviews !

[@Jwitherow1964]

This 85 is ideal for portrait, and at the end of the day what do 99% of people buy a 85 for? I would love to shoot with this lens for my self, it’s affordable especially throw in the two filters,and nice case.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Exactly.

[@shashinmistry129]

Why don't all the camera and lens manufacturers come together and decide for a common mount for lenses, life would be so easy for all photographs, they won't have to bother which camera or which lens from which manufacturer they have, they could just change lenses without bothering, they would be carrying much less weight than they are doing now. Well, just a suggestion.😁

[@sgpork]

That only happen in a perfect world. So. Not happening. Haha!

[@Jwitherow1964]

Money

[@ryanvacation7319]

Manufacturers make too much money on lenses so not likely to happen.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL - don't hold your breath on this happening!

[@三上家]

A lot of recent growing competition for Sony

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed.

[@mathieucaron4957]

I guess the Viltrox Lab will be much better, but also more expensive.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Very likely. Probably also larger and heavier.

[@lordnilsson]

So... the background unsharpness is obviously the best of the lens....!???🙃

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed.

[@Jwitherow1964]

It has a sole

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a fair assessment...so long as you meant soul ;)

[@Jwitherow1964]

@@DustinAbbottTWI yes soul spelling isn’t my strong point.

[@jaegerschtulmann]

First! Dustin comment doesn’t count 😂

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL