Samyang (Rokinon) AF 85mm F1.4 Series II Quick Review

[@kaimelis]

still waiting on that 135 1.8 review! Ain't buying it until DA has a review!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Good news - Samyang said yesterday that they'll be sending me one in the middle of November.

[@heathwirt8919]

Samyang is constantly improving their lenses and although the optical design of this 85MM F1.4 is basically the same as the previous model there are several notable improvements. The original 85MM F1.4 is still new to me, I'm very happy with the results it deliveries and have no plans to upgrade. Thank you for this quick review Dustin.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out.

[@benjamindover4337]

I've been using the Samyang 45mm on my a7iv and I've found the compactness and lightness of it helps with video stabilization. I appreciate that about this brand.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I love the little 45mm. It's a little jewel.

[@acouragefann]

Glad to see you're getting a hold of Samyang lenses again! Looking forward to your take of the 135mm, which has really blown me away.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Me too! I should be getting the 135mm mid-November.

[@Jeo-What]

Thank you for this review. Sure to keep this one in mind for the future.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure.

[@califmike2003]

So is this worth upgrading over the 85 f 1.4 manual focus ? you said its very similiar ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure where you got that I said the two lenses are similar. I was saying that optical formula was similar to the first generation autofocus lens on Sony, not the much older manual focus lens. It's definitely worth upgrading over the old MF lens.

[@zm4518]

How its compared with 135 f1.8? Better or worse?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't tested the 135mm yet, but it is VERY hard to beat a good 135mm optically, and I think the Samyang is a good 135mm!

[@Jwitherow1964]

Good job!! do think we are ever going to get a 1.2 opp

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I wouldn't be surprised if Sony's new GM is F1.2 - that's the trend they went with on the 50mm front, and it is an amazing lens.

[@dawsonevans320]

How does this compare to the 75mm 1.8 and is it foolish to Splurge on the 50 1.4, 85 1.4, and the 135 1.8? I like primes and these seem like incredible value.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'll try to do a 75mm vs 85mm comparison video sometime next month.

[@mattstolzman]

Watching your reviews makes me smile. You have beautiful children! God Bless your family Dustin. Btw. What's your favourite "small" 50 Sony E lens?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My favorite small 50mm(ish) lens on Sony is the Samyang 45mm F1.8.

[@stephenschaffner2387]

I really shouldn't watch reviews of version II when I already own version I. It does me no good.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL - probably not.

[@martin9410]

I have the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 which I've really enjoyed. Would the Samyang be a good upgrade or am I better off just staying with the Sigma?

[@lorenzo4262]

I have the sigma too. I think (and so do i) you should keep the sigma. The distorsion Is not a big issue in Real Life usage. You don't have to see the image as a pixel peeper, but as you shot. I prefer the contrast of the sigma from the review of Dustin. If i should buy now, having anything, It'll depend of the price. But having the sigma, i remain with this.

[@jonathanalfred9847]

Comparing only image quality. How does it compare to the newest Sigma Art and GM ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I just released a video today that compares it directly with the Art

[@StefanKamer]

I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading to this from a Sony 85 1.8?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That depends on how much you value either the more shallow depth of field and softer bokeh and/or additional features.

[@StefanKamer]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I'd value them quite highly, but there's also the matter of rendering, micro-contrast, and sharpness in general (since the 1.8 is known to be very sharp, to "upgrade" I would say it shouldn't lose too much sharpness in service to said bokeh softness). Like I love my 55 1.8 because of the way it renders

[@Neil_Hasnat]

which is sharper Samyang 85mm ii or Sony 85mm 1.8?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would say the Samyang is slightly sharper at equivalent apertures

[@camerachris]

Thanks Dustin. How does it compare to the Viltrox? Or rather, how does the Viltrox compare to it?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Samyang is the more mature lens in terms of features, weather sealing, and optical sophistication. I find the Viltrox good value for money, but I personally favor the Samyang.

[@camerachris]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks, Brother

[@oasean]

Wow, with Samyang doing 85mm AF f/1.4 this sleek, I hope they're working on AF f/1.2.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I have no idea if that is the case, but with this lens just releasing, I doubt we would see such a lens for a while

[@sgpork]

Awaiting for your review on the Sony 7RV !

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It may be a few months. I've been so busy that I couldn't attend the Sony briefing.

[@ketangajria8855]

How would you compare the OOF rendering between this and the Sigma DG DN?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'll cover that thoroughly in the upcoming VS video next week.

[@grumblewoof4721]

Shame no RF mount version. I have the original AF RF 85mm f1.4 and it's great.

[@charruaporelmundo]

You solve that with Firmware update, "Sony work even with potato's in the front" 😁😁

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed on yoru first point.

[@peterebel7899]

This lens basically clicks all the boxes of my preferences. Just I am sitting on a different system ....

[@TheArtofKAS]

😭😭😭..... Same!. I'm still worried that Canon is going to basically make these lenses irrelevant because of the RF recall. Or at least that's what I call it in my head

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's often the problem - it seems like the lenses you want most are on some other platform!

[@peterebel7899]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Generally I am patient ... Sometimes the lens I want is at home when I am out most often with just one choice with me. But my primary approach is to make the most out of the lens in my hand. Some of my best shots this year are done with adapted FD lenses ;-) I love size and weight of this 85mm 1.4 (and it exceeds the typical closeup range provided in the segment) Thanks for your review!

[@PanzerIV88]

Thanks for making me regret spending 10K on Canon RF hardware even more every day x_x I got the first and only version for Canon of this V1 lens, and of course now because Canon tried to sue them we can forget about any firmware upgrade...

[@charruaporelmundo]

You will be very welcome to the Sony mafia :)

[@PanzerIV88]

@@charruaporelmundo What do you mean exactly? I sure doubt that they are perfect, nobody is but can it really be any worse than Canon's mafia that is bullying every third parties and sueing the heck out of them of they try to adapt their lens to the RF system cause Canon wants you to pay 2500-3500$ par lens when a third party good would be 2-3x cheaper! Bodies aren't that important anymore they release a new one every 2 years so price drop quickly while the lens price never go down or barely any. I would even agree paying more for a pricier body if I could then get access to affordable mirrorless lens as it would still be cheaper overall. I just went to my camera store in Canada and even if I spent 10K with them 2 years ago and that it's 10/10 condition, the bastard would only give me like 60% of the price I paid!!! F that big time... Guess I'm stuck with Canon since I already spent top much to look back.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's unfortunate that Canon has adopted this mindset. I really feel like it gives Sony a clear advantage.

[@RealRaynedance]

The fact that this lens is barely any bigger than Sigma's DG DN lens but doesn't have monstrous distortion makes me all the more disappointed in Sigma's offering.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's true, though the Sigma is even higher contrast.

[@caught_in_my_eye]

Lenses like this are the reason i went with Sony for my digital work over a Canon body.

[@peterebel7899]

I appreciate you putting pressure on Canon! I am still on the Canon platform preferring Canon bodies. But the lens lineup available for Sony does make me think.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's so true, Paul. It gives Sony a huge advantage if people are looking at lens options as a part of their decision.

[@peterebel7899]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Wouldn't be Samyang a great cooperation partner for Canon (with full access to specs and protocols of the RF mount)? At least as Canon does not open the platform for usual 3rd party market) The recent strategy is going to cost Canon the markt lead.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Canon has actually been really aggressive in shutting down the Samyang lenses that they HAD started to make for RF. Ridiculous.

[@peterebel7899]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Yes, ridiculous! What makes humans great is the ability for cooperation. This boosts the own speed and strength.

[@charruaporelmundo]

Hope Samyang will continous sending you this lenses because to the people they are giving them are really B channels.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've recently got a new contact at Samyang, and they seem to be proactive about wanting to get me lenses.