Rokinon 85mm F1.4 - Complete Review

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[@ruudsch88]

Hi Matt, go to 1:30min where you say it's less than 20% and watch the board behind you XD

[@3dmaxuser]

I had to go back and see what you was talking about and it made me laugh :)

[@mailperson]

How would anyone even notice that? You are a genius............

[@lamosos]

+Ruud Schoenmakers Oh, he totally planned that.

[@PieterBreda]

+Ruud Schoenmakers That was really funny to see.

[@anthonyhervey8681]

Subliminal

[@SuperImmunologist]

An Australian who goes to Portugal to review a Korean lens that is distributed in America.

[@SuperImmunologist]

Teena Marie anyone

[@PecosHank]

Extremely helpful Matt. You're the only guy out there I came across to mention the T values. Very enlightening! Thanks.

[@tomb-w5506]

Whoa, if Pecos Hank commented on this lens review that means the rokinon is great.

[@victoresteves]

Thanks from Portugal for the great review! Hope you enjoyed being in Lisbon. Cheers

[@letrudo76]

Hey Matt! Welcome to Portugal! I've been following your KZbin channel for a couple of years and it was a great surprise to see you in my home town - Lisbon. If you said you were coming we could have organized a photo walk with some more local photographers. Anyway, hope you enjoyed Lisbon and Portugal. Cheers, mate!

[@TheMrBennito]

great review mr. Granger, the paced an relaxed presentation is for me an important aspect in digesting all the good info.

[@polvocarrillo]

Great review Matt. I been a sub for more than a year and the way you review products has really improve, keep up the good work!

[@cr8057]

Sounds like a great addition to a new a7!! Would love to see a compilation of budget lens options for the sony a7.

[@pArTxTim3xGam3r]

I've been looking at this lens for a little over a year now and this is by far the best review I've seen of it. Now I think it's worth taking a serious look at. I also like to do a little work and slow down b4 taking a shot. Thank for the vid

[@PolioVitruvius]

Great review, thanks. I have the lens and also LOVE it. Don't forget that on my Sony A77 I have focus peaking as well which really helps increase the keeper ratio. Peaking also works in video mode which also helps getting the focus right while shooting video with this lens.

[@TwistedLifestyle]

A really unique and in-depth review on something different. Thank you Matt.

[@PokeObsession]

Thank you for telling me about the autofocus issue in the beginning. Very helpful.

[@gedeonmondido1505]

Hi Matt, thank you for another great job that you review this lens.

[@draculshadowportugal]

OMG, I jumped out of my chair when you said you came here to Portugal!!!

[@ChicagoTurtle1]

Nice job reviewing. But I think another important component when considering a maker like this is... After 6 months of usage, would it still work? Will the focusing lose its smoothness, etc..

[@georgegao1997]

glad to review this lens, thank you

[@YourTypicalMental]

I own this exact lens albeit under a brand called Samyang (It actually goes under a number of brands). It a good lens, although on my Pentax K-30 it can produce a very soft image if you don't have your settings just right. But the weight of it threw me off the most, even without any stabilization. I've been thinking of selling mine for a few months now, but having watched this. I think I'll try using it again!

[@FrumPilot]

Thanks for your review one of the best I've seen yet. wish you do a review on the 135 f2 . Thanks again! Jake

[@jfinite]

I had this lens for a few years for my Olympus DSLRs. It was absolutely fantastic, really sharp right from 1.4, smooth focusing, and beautiful bokeh. Great for portraits and street photography. Sold it once I got the Oly 75/1.8 for m4/3.

[@gamerN77]

In your video, you said it had a 67mm filter fraid (? sry, german and dunno how it's spelled ;D) but it says on the lense, it's an 72mm ...

[@bernhardtsen74]

I have had it back when I shot with the D3100 and the D3200! I gave it to my littlebrother some years ago and it was fun to shoot with and the depth of field was ridicolous! it would take pretty much half of the battery to use the lcd screen to use it in liveview!

[@StefanThePro]

I remember when you first published this. I use this lens on my Nikon bodies to make great videos, thanks to your recommendation and due research

[@ThinkCriticallyNow]

Jared polin needs to watch your reviews because they are so much better than his. Excellent info Matt, thank you very much.

[@criticaltinker]

Jared is annoying...

[@DecentGatsby]

but Matt doesn't do a sniff test. How your gear smells is very important.

[@ThinkCriticallyNow]

lomochrome6 Lol

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

lomochrome6 He also does a "Wind Tunnel" test now too and blows on the gear to see which is more aerodynamic, lol. What a goof ball.

[@Nurg1982]

if you're not interested into some goofing around while doing a review, I'd say stick with Matt ;-)

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Bloody excellent review Matt, I just bought a used UK version (Samyang) and had some after-purchase doubts. I haven't had a proper chance to try it out, but I shall go out there today a bit more confident!

[@Joniviv]

Ah! Amazing. Thank you Matt. This is what I needed. I want this lens so badly for my a35.

[@paulhills1967]

Excellent review Matt - very informative - thanks.

[@justcallmesando]

Nice review. I just wander about some kind of "rings" showing in the sky in the picture at 11:31 but it´s probably your monitor?

[@D800Lover]

Interesting review, but may I point out that Nikon's 85mm F1.8G is available for around five hundred bucks or less if you shop judiciously, not a huge amount of $ above the Rokinon/Samyang 85mm F1.4, and it has auto-focus... I have it and it's great. The DOF at F1.8 is also very small and great separation from the background, and in front too.

[@freojimbob]

Thanks for the comprehensive review.

[@tkarlmann]

VERY helpful Matt. You made me think not only about MF/AF, Nikkor/Rokinon, $$$$$/$, but also about the fact that neither lens provides IS. Thanks.

[@Bfamim]

Really cool to see that you came to Portugal! :) I'm not sure if I should buy the 1.8G or this one.. manual 1.4 vs Automatic focus at 1.8... What's the main advantage of 1.4 for portrait?

[@MychealJones]

Thank you for sharing this with us Matt as I have seen a bit Rokinon lens online. I wonder that since this is an 85mm and it is a goto lens for portraits, will the manual focus be okay for that kind of photography? Again it is always a pleasure to get your reviews on Nikon gear; Thank you Matt.

[@firstdance2000]

Two areas I would like to hear about are landscape and star-fields. Any thoughts regarding this lens to those 2 areas of photography? Thank you in advance!

[@ezbron]

Portugal??? Did you liked it? My home country and glad you went there!! Where the tours videos?? haha:) Nice to hear about those lenses too!!

[@uptownphotography]

Matt. (great review)....Does the viewfinder get darker if you're stopped down with this lens. I have a Canon 5D MK III and read someone mentioned the viewfinder get's darker if shooting at higher f-stops...and also no communication with camera what settings were used for the image retained...Thanks.....This lens is tempting, although I am looking at the Sigma 1.4 for my wedding gigs also....THX Philip...

[@cassidy3412]

Love the look of these images. Crazy how at such a low cost, the micro contrast still far exceeds sigmas 35. Gives a very story book feel.

[@henrygregory2943]

I noticed the lens did not have an 'A' setting on the aperture ring, which on most lens would allow you to focus wide open then stop down to the aperture setting when the shutter is pressed. Can you comment on that ?

[@ericlozada5753]

Matt, I was wondering what spec to look for to find lenses with what you called "long smooth focus throw". Is there an actual spec for this or do you just have to go and try each lens?

[@reganmaharjan7772]

Great review Matt.

[@migtwitzr4734]

great review!! well done, thank you

[@richardpcrowe]

I generally use my Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens + MC-11 adapter in manual mode simply because I think that with focus peaking, it is actually easier to manually focus this lens than try to use the AF in portraiture to get the eyes in focus. I'd only use this lens for portraiture and I wonder about the difference in bokeh between this lens and the Canon f/1.8?

[@treuzebits]

Did you enjoy our beer Matt? people say its one of the best in Europe! hope you enjoy your stay! Cheers

[@THM5]

Hi Matt. I find it so cool that you mention the BMW M5 in the video! I love that car. You're probably also a car fan!? However, I think that's a very interesting lens for its "price"! There's also one 85 f1.4 MF from Walimex. Tried it few months ago and was positively surprised! Cheers:-)

[@ianc666]

I have this and the 35mm f/1.4. They are both built very well and receive great reviews from everybody. I will say though that the focus verification is not great on Nikons for any manual focus lens, I find a Katzeye to be indispensable.

[@simitometi9421]

Not really interested in the lens, but great review matt. If you have any spare time could you review your Canon 85 f/1.2?

[@OneCharmingQuark]

You should review the Rokinon 135mm f2. I've read that it's better than the Canon L series in most respects. Some reviews even suggest that it's as sharp as the Zeiss 135mm.

[@moralesattila]

Hi, stuck between nikon f1.8 or rokinon f1.4. Autofocus doesnot matter..which one should i go for..thanx

[@mridulkantibiswas6265]

Shutter/Aperture priority mode does work when attach this Lens (AE Chip version) on D3500 body??

[@jenky1044]

Hey Matt....hope you are recovering well. Above I watched and at the 10:26 you compare photos of Tina... I think the Rokinon is a better looking photo than the Nikon on right. Good test though... oh I ordered one of these and I love it.

[@limap8668]

I was wondering where you got those pictures, right before you actually said where it was. So did you enjoyed the city?

[@BaddaBigBoom]

My Samyang version did not have the AF confirm capability. I wonder if this will work: buying a cheap M42-EOS converter from Amazon, removing the confirm chip (I know they're just glued on) then carefully positioning/attaching it to the Samyang.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

*update* I did it and it works :-)

[@streamentrant1]

Unfortunately, from everything I've been able to find on these lens so far, it appears that ONLY the Nikon version has the electronic focus confirmation chip, so keep that mind if you're using another brand of camera.

[@MrD1N9EL]

Hey woudl this lens be ok with the canon eos m ?? with Mount adapter same aps-c sensor as 600d i think

[@jimmysgameclips]

It being almost impossible to focus, does that apply if you have manual focus assist like the Sony a7 mkII? Not used the feature yet

[@codefrite]

Thanks for this review

[@AndrewTGreen]

Thanks. Like the style of presentation. Friendly but unaffected.

[@Wurzelgermane]

Wow, I´m really impressed by the quality of this lens, I think, it´s really a great option for people with low budget like me to get a good prime. I´m really used to Autofocus, but I got an old Nikon 50mm 1.4 and I absolutely love taking pictures with manual focus as the auto doesn´t work on my camera. Maybe I´ll get the Rokinon...

[@AaronAnglin]

I'm interested in rokinon lenses specifically for video where you want to use manual focus anyways, especially for nikon cameras where you can't change aperture in live view, having a lens with an aperture rings are a good work around for that..

[@jshaw6600]

That's one reason I got my rokinon lenses.

[@erickalexander1538]

My favorite lens! I love my Rokinon 85mm.

[@adamwdotnet]

Great review.. Really comprehensive and well presented. Not sure what the significance of the 'x amounts of elements in y groups' really means when comparing lenses, does anyone seriously take this into consideration?

[@craigluchin4585]

I have a Nikon D500 and this lens does fit it making it a 123mm, which is fine for me, but my question is "I've read or watched somewhere (I don't remember where) that an F1.4 on a crop sensor becomes an F1.8 aperture?" Is this true?

[@TiagoPeralta]

Hey! You were at my city! Lisbon!!! Hope you liked!!

[@DanielDuganaperture]

Great review. Thanks

[@BaileySchoelen]

would this lens fit right onto a black magic2.5k?

[@KingGameReview]

if it's T/1.7, then why is the Cine version of the same lens marketed as T/1.5?

[@GuyMrIncognito]

A thumb up, just for the intro sentence :D Thanks Matt greetings from swiss

[@arthurnogood7450]

The Rokinon 85 1.4 is made in Corea distributed in the USA I'm Aussie so naturally I've come to Portugal to review it. In Chinese, that is "一个不想当厨子的裁缝绝不是好司机", a tailor who doesn't wanna be a cook won't make a good driver. A revision of the famous "Every French soldier carries a marshal's baton in his knapsack"-Napoleon Bonaparte. Better known as “He is a bad soldier who doesn’t dream of becoming a marshal.”

[@KingGameReview]

This is one of my favorite lenses and for the price, it's unbeatable.

[@thuctran7286]

i shoot the Samyang (AKA Rokinon) 35/1.4 and it's a really really good glass. but don't rely on Rokinon's default "in focus confirmation", i means you have to re-calibrate the focus by using micro adjust in your Body. then that lens will give you a blowing-mind sharpness and beautiful bokeh. I love Samyang & going to get a 24/1.4

[@geuskoeman721]

Thanks helpful and clear!!

[@islamjouza8074]

its easy to use on nikon d5100 by the manual focus

[@fondfarewell2]

Question, after editing a raw file, and saving it, is it suppose become jpeg or am I doing something wrong?

[@johandenhertog6714]

I have since 1999 my Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 D IF and it makes beautiful pictures on f/1.4 is super sharp on my Nikon D3s. I used the AiS and the G versions but the D version is more cream like bokeh. And it's build as a Tank.

[@MarioDiLeonardo]

I really have to lay my hands on one of those. As Samyang is the same and distributed in the Netherlands I will go for the Samyang version.

[@georgesealy4706]

I have the Rokinon 85mm T1.5 cine lens. It is great.

[@twofast4u010]

Love the video. I shoot Canon and was wondering if I should get this lens or stick with the canon 85 1.8 lens? It would be for corporate portraits and headshots mostly.

[@MrPhilbautista]

Stick with the Canon, which has AF. Your clients won't notice the difference in IQ but may be irritated having to wait while you fine tune focus.

[@PH61a]

I have the Samyang f1.4 85mm which is exactly the same lens. I'm very satisfied with it. Its quality is incredible. Paid € 269 for it. The Rokinon is made by Samyang and meant for the American market. In Europe you'll only/mainly find Samyang. In some reviews I've even read it outperforms the Nikon in some aspects.

[@Altaphoto]

Good info :) show us the 8mm fisheye :D greatings from Portugal! Aveiro! :D

[@emadnejati7620]

using manual lenses for canon or nikon users can be hard,but for sony users is just a piece of cake,turn on the MF asist and focus peaking :D and here we go thanks did you test the e mount version? on sony a6000? what is your opinion about e mount version for sony cameras? thanks for good videos

[@Indik47]

+Emad nejati MF through the live view on a nikon/canon is the same as sony. Actually my Nikon(5500) has much bigger and higher res screen than my sony NEX 5T, so MF even without focus peaking is easier.

[@emadnejati7620]

***** focus peaking is imprtant you cant take right focus from live view evf is the best thing for it

[@Indik47]

+Emad nejati Have you shot extensively with focus peaking yourself? Because I have. It is realiable ONLY in very limited shooting scenarios, like focus on the grass (or some other nature pattern) with tiny DOF. All other cases (portraits, street, indoors etc.) peaking is just not accurate - you need to zoom in, focus and zoom out - and this is the same on both mirrorless EVF/screen and DSLR screen. "you cant take right focus from live view" - this is not true, I`ve taken lots of good shots in manual focus on NEX5 and it doesn`t have a viewfinder (equal to a DSLR live view). I agree that EFV is more convinient for manual, BUT manual focus itselfs is so slow compared to AF that in the end EVF/live view dilemma doesn`t matter.

[@emadnejati7620]

yes i have a6000 and a7 II you have a old camera,in new version with supported lenses you have so much better peaking with auto magnifier you cant miss focus

[@peterwerner3327]

Sorry to disagree, Emad. I much prefer the behaviour on an old camera (a3000) that lets me choose if I want the magnifier on or not. I do not like the A7R II's s way of automatically switching on the magnifier, I like to be in command, not the camera imposing on me. That's why I also prefer manual to AF lenses.

[@KenethGray]

How would you compare this lens to the nikon 85 1.8 since they're closer in price?

[@oaklandtobangkok]

I love my Nikon 85 1.8. It's my studio puppy. I know nobody who can slam that lens for value vs performance.

[@trevorroeder117]

Even with a D7000 or D600 since they have the focusing motor in them it won't auto focus?

[@jshaw6600]

Nope Source: I have the D600 and this lens.

[@MenacingThreat]

Don't they have an auto focus version of this lens now?

[@lovesvensson]

can't you just put a extension tube to be able to get closer?

[@biswas3624]

Plz review new samyang 85mm 1.4 AF F mount.....

[@singsingmei]

Portugal, naturally. lol! thanks, trying to make up my mind between the nikon 85 1.8d and this one. this helps

[@naveedabbas1173]

If I have a built in focus motor in my camera would this lens autofocus with its help???

[@Dream.Pirate]

Naveed Abbas nope. it's a full manual lens

[@balacau]

Very interesting review. Like you said, there's not that many reviews out there for Samyang (or other names they are sold under) products. So its refreshing to see one, especially showing side by side images with a well recognised brand name lens. The same company is releasing a 10mm F2.8 rectilinear prime lens soon; should be quite interesting to see what people make of that one! Its for aps-c/cropped sensor cameras only though.

[@SrPicuinhas]

Hey, greetings from Portugal!

[@Jamiedudding]

Hey nice, i love the BOKEH! Matt not your line of work i dont think but would this lens be useful for wedding/baby photography?

[@kocici_tata]

That's up to your determination and your skills. I shot a few weddings using only Rokinon lenses (14/2.8, 35/1.4 and 85/1.4) and didn't miss any important shot. Then again I've been shooting full manual for more than a year, so I've had a little bit of practice. Shooting a wedding with this lens without previous experience with manual focus would be too big a risk IMO. But I'd still say BUY IT, shoot away for a few months and then decide whether it's worth it judging on how many missed shots you get.

[@Jamiedudding]

Ok good, did you what did you specifically use the 85mm for? Is it any good for close up shots of say rings?

[@terpcj]

Seeing the shallow dof makes me wonder how in the world I used to shoot fast-moving sports in the 80s with lenses wide open, auto-nothing, on film. Lots of almost-but-not-quite focused images, especially when starting out.

[@Timinator62]

Well CJ, I would have to say that both you and I were a lot younger in the '80's maybe our eyes were better "back in the day"..I used to fast focus back then and very seldom did I ever miss it....today, well lets just say that I'm really HAPPY with the modern Auto Focus... 8^)

[@future62]

These work a million times better either with an EVF or in Live View with magnification. 85 1.4..... focus confirmation just isn't enough.

[@ProducoesORaquelo]

So... You're in Portugal? How do you like it so far?

[@kahinakram]

Haha I Love the intro, nice touch :)

[@JamesHazeth]

Amazing thank you !

[@PhinioxGlade]

I had the Samyang 85 in EF and found I didn't like the fov on an APS-c sensor and it only sharpen up at 5.6, it was very soft wide open. On the 5D2 this lens was a better option as the weight was offset by the camera body. They do make two Nikon versions.

[@MrSimonj1970]

That wasn't my experience at all, the one I tried on my D700 was very sharp at f1.4, not far behind Nikon's 85D or the Sigma 85. Getting good results at f1.4 is quite hard on any lens.

[@PhinioxGlade]

MrSimonj1970 there are two versions of for Nikon. the one I used had a t stop of 1.5 (reportable), it was not the cine. The reviews I seen fall in line with my experience. When I got this lens I tested it out on a tripod, with a timer and shot a bunch of cereal boxes to read the little writing. I'm very experienced with manual focus, it's my preferred method, most of my lenses are old MC, MD, AIS, PK, M39 and ton of M42. I also could of had a bad copy but then a lot of people must. It might just be the Nikon version better

[@PolioVitruvius]

Must have been a bad copy. DXO mark has this as the 29th highest rated lens, out of ALL lenses they have rated. I also have this lens and mine is very sharp at 1.4. www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Samyang/85mm-f-1.4-Aspherical-IF-Canon-mounted-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II---Measurements__483

[@PhinioxGlade]

PolioVitruvius it worked at lot better on 5D2 than the 5N but it was weak wide

[@quietcorner293]

This was interesting for me as I'm a hobby photographer and married. Try telling the wife that you just spent $1300 on a lens! I'm considering the lenses below for Astrophotography. Any suggestions on which one I should buy first? I prefer them with a Z mount. 24mm/1.4: Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC. 16mm/2.0: Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC. 10mm/2.8: Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS.

[@vrsdmx]

Portuguese guy here watching Lisbon photography. Hope you enjoyed

[@dimoslabrou6377]

Rokinon or Samyang as they are also know are Korean lenses. Of course Korea doesn't have the reputation of Japan or Getmany. For me is very important that this lens is sold without adapter in nearly every mount. The video of Matt is really helpful 👍and it help me to end the prejudge I had with this firm. The lens is great for its price. 270$ for a lens that Nikon sells 1600$ and Canon 1900 at 1.2 aperture. The difference is enormous even if it is manual focus and a little softer. In the case of Sony a7 there isn't not even close a lens with such shallow depth of field. I hate 👿 mount adapters and the direct support for e-mount is very tempting for me.

[@MrPhilbautista]

Better to get the EF mount and then use it with a speed booster on a Sony a6x00. You get a 93mm f/1.0

[@MathyosSarkiss]

please can you answer this, when im manually focusing can i see the red focus point when object is on focus?

[@gur262]

+Mathyos Sarkiss if it has a chip, yeah probably. wont help much. you better get a sony or mft with focus peaking and evf to use this

[@lionelestriga4272]

14:45 Thumbs up from Portugal!