NEED TO KNOW before buying the Rokinon RF 85mm F1.4

[@andrewdoeshair]

1. I know I can fix the green tint in camera if I set a custom white balance or use the color correction grid thing on the shooting screen. I don’t want to do that, I use an 85mm often enough (but not SO often) that those things would become annoying to do. I want to set my camera to 5500k to match my studio lights then shoot and call it a day. 2. I know I can correct the vignetting in post. I don’t always, or usually, want to take the time to do that. Three quarters of what I shoot ends up just going straight from camera to Instagram without editing. The platform demands a lot of content and often so I lean on a very streamlined workflow wherein heavy vignetting becomes a wrench in the gears. I could say the same about KZbin- not having to mask out a heavy vignette means I can make more content faster. 3. At the time I recorded this there were no Rokinon or Samyang docks available at B&H, KEH, Adorama, Amazon, eBay, or directly from samyang/Rokinon. I should have been more clear about that in the video but I only searched for the dock for about two weeks and those two weeks might’ve been a weird fluke where it was hard to find the dock. They might actually be easy to find. But the point still stands that the old firmware causes limitations with the newer RF cameras, if you found the dock it doesn’t mean I’m an idiot it means you weren’t looking when I was looking. 4. All of this said, like I said in the video, if you want to be mindful of correcting your colors either in camera or in post and if you want to be mindful of editing out your vignetting this lens is great. But what it equates to is a lens that forces you to slow down and put in more work. I can’t have an 85 that makes me slow down and put in more work.

[@thekeytoairpower]

Andrew, I know this is a couple months later but I have a few inputs about your operational glitches. The framerate and reduced focus area are, as you said, firmware issues. The lens and camera appear to be disagreeing on maximum aperture... this leads to the camera reducing the number of autofocus points in order to keep focus speed up (unnecisarily in this case). This happens on all lenses with a max aperture of 5.6 or higher on RF cameras I believe. A similar problem is happening with the burst rate. No matter what you set you fstop to you camera focuses wide open. Between shots the aperture ring has to go from wide open to whatever you have set. Many lenses cant do that 12-20 times a second so if the camera is not sure the attached lens can, then it limits burst speed. I have a similar issue with the 70-200 F4l and the 17-40 F4L. You also mentioned that the lens seems dark for a 1.4, and that you thought it might be a 1.4 from DOF but not from light transmittal. This is astute and certainly correct. Fstop only measures a physical ratio of sizes of components in a lens, and though correlated to transmittal, does not represent it. That measure is called Tstop. It is used primarily on cinema lenses so that if you swap lenses you do not have to fix exposure. Finally soloutions: you can build a preset in lightroom (fix dark corners, and green tint), you can use exposure compensation (fix dark image) and you can apparently rent a dock from lensrentals.com (I am in no way affiliated with them, they just had a customer question about renting the dock on their page for this lens), or elsewhere if you think it will just be a one time fix. I suspect that they will have to keep tweaking the firmware as new bodies come out and have similar problems, and may take the opportunity to update features at the same time. Cheers and I hope I have added something of value to the discourse.

[@billrhea]

I have the r5 and the this lens and I don’t have this problem. Mine will focus anywhere.

[@fatbaldandhappy]

What a great honest review from someone who uses it with a purpose. This is sooooooo much more helpful than typical "gear reviews". Thanks!

[@isotechimages.9130]

I had no problem just going back to where l purchased lens where they have a docking station for all the lenses they sell & they update firmware free.

[@RexxReviews]

B&H has the dock in stock, Also don't expect to see any Sigma RF lenses ANYTIME soon. While SIGMA CEO has said that RF mount could be possible, any business is going to say that to not turn away customers. The issue is Canon not wanting to allow Sigma/Tamron ect to use the mount and I am sure they are blocked via some type on contractual agreement with Canon... this company is not. That being said its also why there are so many little quirks, they didn't have any help from canon to get this lens right so they had to trial and error it as Canon did not directly allow them the use of the RF mount.

[@whatzmynamel]

You have to order the dock with the “Samyang” brand. It’s the same exact company. Just rebranded for different countries. There’s a bunch on Amazon

[@andrewdoeshair]

Great tip! There weren’t any Rokinon or Samyang docks available at the time of this video, but I only looked for like two weeks and it might’ve been a random two week fluke that everyone was sold out.

[@mahmoudaga]

Where I can't find in the US

[@Mahaabharath]

Did you calibrate this lense ? I use a ef mount and it has front focus issues

[@billrhea]

Also if you buy this lens from Adorama you can get the doc for free. What’s kool is you get the dock and the lens has the latest firmware already.

[@andrewdoeshair]

Thanks for the update! I should have been more clear that I only searched for two weeks, and it might’ve been an odd random one-off anomaly two weeks where it was sold out everywhere. Point still remains the same though, early firmware no good with R6, be aware of that while buying 🤘

[@TheJewellian]

My lens freezes up my R5 occasionally and you have to shut down and remove the battery! My dock arrives tomorrow and hopefully version 3 firmware will enable IBIS and resolve any other issues.

[@frankluo230]

Firmware solved both problems. Rokinon lens station is in stock on B&H and Adorama. I don't know what you are on about.

[@andrewdoeshair]

Yeah I toOotally photo shopped the screen shot from B&H at 6:52 to say it was out of stock just so I could manufacture a problem to talk about 🙄

[@MindYaBizz_Whiz]

@@andrewdoeshair this dude really said that like shit doesn’t come in and out of stock ALL THE TIME. I had to wait weeks for an adapter, constantly checking. Then I got one. Mentioned it to people and they said “what??? They’re in stock.” And I’m like “yeah, no shit. They weren’t when I was looking for it weeks ago”

[@lb7144]

You talked me into it. Getting one for my Canon C100 MKII.

[@LMActionsports]

I don’t have canon but I have this lens for my a7riv and my A9 and it works flawlessly on both. The a9 it doesn’t shoot 20fps but it does shoot 15fps. I use it for all my weddings. Ibis works with mine and there is no green in mine, just a touch warmer. The Vignette your talking about I have nowhere close what you have with yours. I would’ve sent it back if I had that bad of a vignette wow.

[@HarveyWallbanger-ho2cq]

I'm a stylist also. I've been using a 50mm 1.4 for 20 years, no problems at all.

[@Herkulez1981]

Im after a fast 85mm lens that doesnt cost much for my 5d3s. Looking at a tamron 85mm 1.8 Vc but i rather have a 1.4 (even tough the difference is not that big ) but most important is sharpness and that the autofokus is ok for moving subjekts

[@andrewdoeshair]

For whatever my little bit of experience is worth, I think dollar for dollar the sigma 85mm Art (especially used) is the best image quality to price for an 85mm F1.4. Samyang/Rokinon make an 85mm F1.2 for the EF mount that is outstanding optically, and I got one used for $400 (CRAZY good image quality for price) however it only manually focuses. I’ve never owned the Tamron 85 but I’ve always been curious about it, I’ve owned the 35mm F1.8 from the same series and I thought it was a fun lens. I own a few of the canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM lenses and they’re good for the (used) price but nothing spectacular except that are small and light.

[@Herkulez1981]

@@andrewdoeshair yeah Maybe just good to fork up some more money and go for the sigma . Thank you

[@calpix.photography]

Can’t find this lens anywhere. 😢

[@jodokcello]

Whats the diffrents to the samyang rf 85 f1.4?

[@andrewdoeshair]

I think they’re identical.

[@brandonlu7947]

actually n leastly you can adjust the colour tone in in-cam picture style(user def1)

[@andrewdoeshair]

Hassle though 😋

[@RWAquariumPages]

Totally honest and awesome review. I got the ef 85 1.8 recently for a family candid and walk around lens and was also considering the samyang 85 1.4, watched so many reviews, but yours was the best. Thanks for this video and new sub here for sure! Keep up the great work

[@rp5764]

I found this video very helpful and enjoyable. Im still undecided on the sigma ef 85 art w/converter, the samyang, or just going all in on canon 85 1.2ds for my r6, but this helps my thinking a lot. If i may say, i think your having a 2d area of specialty-interest (hair) brings a very interesting and unique perspective that many camera reviews lack. Great work, thanks again!

[@andrewdoeshair]

I’m very happy with the sigma on an adapter for now. I think I could be happy with it indefinitely but I also consider it sort of a placeholder lens for me, just waiting to see what sigma eventually offers in the RF mount before I decide whether to drop the money on canon’s RF 85L

[@rp5764]

andrewdoeshair wise words, thanks again!

[@keerthejm7318]

For me, I would opt going with the native mount lens rather than investing in converters.. Please do compare the newly updated firmwares of the samyang/rokinon.. because it has fixed lots of issues..

[@andrewdoeshair]

@@keerthejm7318 I found a few videos comparing the before/after firmware update and it is a pretty remarkable difference. What made me pass on the lens ultimately was the heavy vignetting and green tint, both things I wouldn’t care about if this were a sometimes-use focal length for me (but it’s my most commonly used) or if I wasn’t regularly shooting in a place where I wanted bright even neutral tones (like my studio). It’s a great lens, especially after firmware update, just not a great fit for me.

[@mahmoudaga]

Please, where can I get the Lens Station in the US? I need to update the firmware to fix the IS.

[@MrGflan]

Thank you!! Do you have any feedback on the canon EF 85mm f 1.4? I am debating this lens versus the RF 85mm 1.2 vs the older lens for my R6. Any thoughts on how they would compare? Thanks!

[@ericgonzalez3717]

Great video Andrew! Lots of useful information. By the way, my wife walked in as I was watching and she recognized you from your wife's instagram. She used to do my wife's hair when she worked in Corona on Mckinley.

[@andrewdoeshair]

Small world!

[@Tigga490]

Very useful information. Thanks for this video. Just ordered an R6 and was looking at this Samyang. Gonna stick to my initial option and get the Sigma.

[@JohnPauloSalamat]

Thank you so much! This was very very informative and helpful.

[@erocheadz]

That lens on the Sony A7rii is amazing!

[@NickDelDuca]

Thanks for your review. The green tint is the killer for me. I get the argument that you can fix it in post but literally every finished photo I see someone post from the lens still has the weird color shift so I'm not sure how easily it actually is corrected or if people can actually recognize the color shift when editing and reverse it. If you are editing a bunch of photos from that lens without a reference it might be hard to notice and actually fix.

[@cooloox]

You think one person has a lens with an issue means all lenses have that issue? These lenses are renown for being warm, NOT green. Some reviewers have shot side by side with Canon lenses at same settings and yep, Samyang is warmer. This guy, sadly, has a problematic lens. Simple as that.

[@NickDelDuca]

@@cooloox I've always heard them described as warm as well. Either way pretty much every photo I have seen from the lens including the ones in this video have bizarre colors so I don't think its all that easy to edit out.

[@codythep]

You’re so cool. I’d totally get my hair done by you if I was in your area

[@Astrictos]

If you still haven’t found a dock, have you tried any of the renting sites so at least you’re not buying a dock for one or uses

[@andrewdoeshair]

Great idea! I ended up selling the lens because I didn’t want to deal with the warm green tint and vignetting on a regular basis. If I occasionally used 85mm I’d have been fine with it but 85 is my daily work horse and I didn’t want to have to correct anything at all (the sigma is good enough that I can just shoot and post). However, shortly after I sold the lens, the dock was easy to find all over the place. I actually just bought the 14mm F2.8 counterpart to this lens and it came with a dock. That lens is way sweeter, I’m very happy with it so far.

[@sohaibshah6690]

I have heard they stopped the production of this lens and you can see it from their official site too

[@keerthejm7318]

No bro.. not yet.. They make lots of improvements from all the feedbacks..

[@ma76bball68]

An absolutely FANTASTIC video. Thank you for sharing because I was about to order this lens. I’m over here in Japan so I’ll search the millions of shops for that dock first. My 85mm adventure continues….

[@tkarim]

Keep in mind, sample variations exist. I owned three copies of these RF lenses, two under the name Samyang, and one Rokinon. Without ever buying a dock and using them as is, never had an issue with AF, image quality, IBIS performance, or color rendition. They were used mainly on a couple of Canon R6 bodies, always updated to the latest firmware. There was a slight warmer tone to the images, but nothing that can’t be tweaked. Most times I shoot the n a neutral picture profile. I also owned the RF 85 f2 and the RF Viltrox 1.8 who both had their fair share of issues. Even the native Canon EF 85 1.4 IS had an issue with image quality. If you want perfection (or close to it) you really need to spend the additional $2k for the RF 1.2.

[@stiloblendz3626]

Yooooo you are my fucken hero. Subscribed, I been looking for a barber/stylist to do these type of videos

[@andrewdoeshair]

Thanks! I just have too much fun nerding out on camera stuff

[@ASADULBARI1]

Picked one up with a dock, crappie luck there's been no firmware in 2 years

[@AlexSinclair]

I'm not saying you shouldn't have included it in this video, because it was actually a great observation, but is there any time where you're ever going to try focus so far to the edge of the frame? I can't think of a single image where I would need to do that, but I could totally be missing something. Also, interesting to see this review, because you're so clear with the lens uses. For me, there is no way I would keep a lens that I'm ever slightly hesitant about using. If I'm not 100 percent, it goes. Which isn't to say I just buy the best and most expensive option (my favourite lens is actually the Canon 40mm EF pancake, which is super cheap), but rather that workflow problems like what you mentioned here would put me off wanting to shoot entirely, and that's the exact opposite of what I want when buying new gear. (Sorry, long comment. Great video!)

[@andrewdoeshair]

Yeah I agree that the smaller focusing area is a bit of a non-issue, at least for me. But I figured it might deter some people and I guess if they saw it here before buying the lens they’d be glad 😂 I 1,000% agree with you about needing to 100% trust the lens (or an gear). A few years ago I had a bunch of L series primes and each one had its strengths and weaknesses, I found that no matter which I brought I kind of wished I’d brought a different one. Now I’ve just got an RF 24-70 and an RF 70-200 (plus this sigma 85 and this Rokinon 85 which will be on eBay very soon) and I never ever second guess my lens choice anymore. They just, work.

[@thedanieljeremiah]

Thanks for saving me! Ha! I was about to purchase the Rokinon/Samyang. This is a great and concise review!

[@Thatguy1306n]

Aren’t these lenses discontinued for canon?

[@andrewdoeshair]

Yeah, for a long time now. Old video.

[@Thatguy1306n]

@@andrewdoeshairI wonder where I can find them?

[@Mr.sgp.96k]

Does this Lens Support. Canon 5d mark IV?

[@jam3swoodz]

soooo im just looking for a good enough 85mm ... more and more looking to the canon rf f/2 but here a year after tyvm for that review :D

[@Vlay76]

You should put the ad "I'll do your hair if you lend me your lens dock"! 🤠

[@coalakida]

DId sigma make the RF 85 for canon EOS R yet ?

[@grumblewoof4721]

Good impartial review thank you. I have the Samyang 85mm 1.4 RF which is the European brand name for the same lens. I also have the dock to upgrade the firmware and yes, it fixes many issues so it's worth getting one or borrowing one. Sadly, Canon forced Samyang to discontinue making and selling this lens but I feel that anyone who has one has a very good lens and at the price it's astounding. There are no inbody camera corrections but lightroom does have some so most aberrations csn be corrected. I could not afford over £3000 for Canons L series RF 1.2 so I am happy to work with no image stabilisation as on tripod in a studio it's not required anyway. The near focus distance is not good so this lens is not much good for close up work but larger products can be photographed if you can stand back a bit. You just need a larger studio. I hope that eventually Canon allows third party lenses from Samyang/Rokinon for the RF mount as well as Sigma and Tamron... I hear they just approved a couple for Voighlander and Cosina... we live in hope.

[@ScoutsOut]

Great review thanks Andrew

[@IWILSONMCF]

Who knew I’d learn so much about potential next purchases from the old drummer of avenged sevenfold

[@Latinochino]

Hello, I have the samyang equalivent of this lens. I actually purchase the rokinon dock and was compatible. Maybe you can search for the Samyang dock station and have better luck?

[@mahmoudaga]

Where did you buy it from please

[@antoniodiaz1887]

What about getting the 85 mm F2 i haven’t had issues with it

[@andrewdoeshair]

Because I’ve got the RF 70-200 F2.8L I haven’t been suuuper interested in the 85 F2, just because I can already get stabilized 85 F2.8 out of my 70-200 which is realllly close to 85 F2... I do have to admit (and maybe could’ve mentioned it in the video) that the R6’s low light performance is good enough that F2.8 has been PLENTY for my uses, as far as light transmission, but what appeals to me in an 85 is sort of that super fast aperture look that I can’t get with my 24-70 or 70-200 (on the wider end). Not that I need that very often, but for me to add another lens to the lineup I need it to be way different from what I’ve already got. But the 85 F2 would solve the size issue and give me a cheaper option to carry around (sometimes I don’t want to bring pricey gear).

[@staLkerhu]

To be honest that lens seems like a big OOF for me. Slow a.f. AF even when you limit it, the light transmission also leaves a lot to be desired. It isn't a true 85mm lens, some say it is around 82-83mm if you compare it to other 85mm lenses. Dustin Abbott compared them on f/2, and the Samyang was actually sharper on center and midfield. Only 2 positives I've found through reviews are the great contrast and the IS, and this lens costs around ~150 USD more in my country than the Samyang 85mm f/1.4, so the Canon Macro is a big NO-NO for me.

[@AmandaWoolsey]

Has this lens been updated using the dock?

[@AmandaWoolsey]

Ah, you just mentioned the dock issue

[@procesgnilny]

That's very useful review. I had 5DmarkIII and sigma EX85 f1.4, but upgraded to R6 and sigma EX light measurement is not working corectly and it's underexposing, so trying to find cheap 85... It's a nightmare to be honest. And after watching your video it's even bigger nightmare :-D Now i got underexposing sigma EX and not so sharp and not so fast canon 85/1.8 USM, but looks like samyang or sigma Art is not better either!

[@andrewdoeshair]

I think viltrox has recently released an affordable 85mm F1.8 for RF, which may or may not be optically better than the EF 85 1.8, but it would probably be a smaller neater form factor on the body. I’m still using the sigma 85 and it’s almost perfect aside from the busy out of focus areas, but I think dollar for dollar it’s a really great value (I got mine for $700 used). I’ve been considering trying canon’s stabilized EF 85mm F1.4L though

[@IamElishaGrant]

Does this work for a rebel T7

[@thephotographerdiaries]

Holy shit!!! Had no idea you had a KZbin! you used to do Tmills hair haha. Always wanted to get my hair done by you when I was a "scene kid"

[@anoopchaudhary8732]

Thankyou for this video.

[@cristianrodila2883]

I think you're wrong buddy, for the money it's one of the best 85 mm what you can get

[@andrewdoeshair]

I didn’t say it’s not good, I said it’s quirky. It’s sharp and focuses quickly/accurately, but it’s got a warm greenish cast and intense vignetting.

[@davidwallace8980]

Forget about third party RF mount lenses. Canon shut that down. This is a big negative for RF shooters!

[@andrewdoeshair]

Yeah I’m super bummed. Still hopeful that it changes in the coming years but when my R6 stops cutting it for me, if there’s not a huge change in what’s going on with RF I’ll be jumping ship for Sony or Nikon, maybe even selling it all for a medium format and a single lens to just use for my portrait work, then use a smart phone for everything else. It’s not even as simple as that I can’t afford the RF glass I want, it’s that it’s not fun to carry around a $3,000 lens, an EF lens on an adapter, or an F2 prime- there are massive holes in their lens line up and it even makes my phone feel more practical and worthwhile in many cases. I don’t think canon understands how much people enjoy piecing together a kit that fits their unique needs. I don’t shoot wide often enough or seriously enough to justify a few thousand dollars on an L series ultra wide RF zoom or to deal with the size/weight of an adapted EF ultra wide, but I also don’t want to deal with the severe in-camera corrections that are required to use Canon’s RF 16mm or RF 24mm primes. Pair the recent RF news with the remarkable performance of modern smart phones and pretty much the ONLY thing keeping me on current canon is my investment in the RF 70-200.

[@DevynFromCFXTV]

I came in thinking just a talking head wouldn't work tbh, but man, great video!

[@ByStephenJones]

Appreciate this!

[@kennlw5]

Awesome video👌🏾

[@dubbleA100]

y chance did you ever get a lens dock?

[@andrewdoeshair]

Nah, I ended up selling the lens shortly after this video. Haven’t looked into the dock since then. For all I know the two weeks I was looking for it could have been a fluke or anomaly, maybe the only time it’s ever been hard to find, or maybe it’s consistently hard to find. I don’t know...

[@dubbleA100]

@@andrewdoeshair well that's good it sold. I have seen on Amazon and eBay Adaroma sells the lens with the dock. For $650 I'm hoping to buy that and an R5 or R6 this winter

[@rollandelliott]

I'm stil waiting or Sigma to make an RF mount lens too, 2 years latter jan 2024 still nothing burger

[@andrewdoeshair]

I ditched RF. Realized I didn’t like the experience, menu dives, and screen touches. I didn’t like being forced to buy crazy small aperture zooms or crazy expensive zooms. Loud and slow focusing primes with mediocre apertures or top dollar L lenses. Nothing for a semi professional shooter, just pro lenses and toy lenses and no in-between. They have a nice spread of RF bodies now from entry to to pro, but huge gaps in lens line up and u willing to let third parties help make the mount appealing. Now I’m back on EF lenses and bodies, simplifying what it is that I need from the system. It’s funny, I’m able to own a kit now that I DREAMED of in 2016 and it’s costing like, peanuts. I do miss the flippy screen though.

[@pauldarius1857]

great video

[@godz2928]

That hair tho😂✌🏼

[@kaydawgy1999]

Came for the review. Stayed for the hair.

[@Janihonkalaxx]

Rokinon/Samyang, is so much more sharper than Sigma! And Sigmas bokeh is awfull! Samyang/Rokinon make soooooooo nice creamy soft bokeh!🫶👍💪

[@Aureas133]

you look like bradley wiggins as an art major.

[@senyum0]

So... we nees to buy the dock first then🤣

[@frankfeng2701]

Canon doesn't like affordable third-party glass, unlike Sony.

[@JadenWhite]

Funny because canon stops any and all RF lenses from 3rd party

[@zodyking4595]

5:20 who would buy a $2,500 camera to use a $600 lens lol. (I have the R6 btw)

[@Justmakesomenoiz]

Ok so don't get it. So u really mean that u need to purchase 2000$ lenses for that body? There are some superb cheaper EF lenses for the R6.

[@andrewdoeshair]

Someone who might need the video specs or the speed the body offers, but they only want to dabble for fun with still portraits.

[@zodyking4595]

@@andrewdoeshair I buy lenses for cameras, not cameras for lenses. it mad me laugh, you must must be a rich man

[@sulev111]

...there's none of those quirky issues on Sony version (with a7iii)

[@prageeth4855]

Man scrap the lens reviews, get a new barber 💈 that cut is whack 😂

[@andrewdoeshair]

What do you know about hair, nerd?

[@erocheadz]

Switch to SONY!.

[@DenisUspeshny]

Andrew, you need to be very focused with your content. You are sending mixed messages and reinventing the wheel with these lens review videos

[@andrewdoeshair]

I know😭 The reason I do any of the camera reviews is that a lot of my Instagram followers reach out for camera advice (actually more than hair advice) and I know that there are many videos about this particular lens but I haven’t found one condensed video that points out the same quirks I’d found- that info is either buried scattered across much longer more technical reviews or in smaller reviews that cover some but not all of the issues I’d found. Plus while my most viewed videos are about hair, my camera videos more consistently get higher views 🤓 Also hair alone is work, it’s been my job for fifteen years, but hair meets cameras is fun, it’s a double decker passion sandwich. In fact I plan to start a sort of podcast soon(ish) to chat with those who, like myself, improved their hair career by picking up a camera. All the biggest names in hair today are recognized because of their content, and so a massive change in the hair industry occurred where you can’t just be good at hair to get noticed, you also have to be a photographer/videographer/entertainer to some degree. Sorry for the over explanation, I actually have been planning on making my next video on (something like) “why should a hairdresser care so much about cameras?” so I’ve got a lot of thoughts rolling around about this 😋

[@BrandonTalbot]

@@andrewdoeshair Do whatever you want to do on your channel mate.

[@jw-lk1pe]

oh my....the hair....not sure i can even watch this

[@andrewdoeshair]

What an unnecessarily rude thing to say 😂 thank goodness your opinion is worthless.