Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C)

Yongnuo continue treading a path of manufacturing very affordable autofocus lenses, and this one is half the price of its Canon equivalent, potentially bringing classic portrait photography into the hands of beginner photographers, or anyone else on a low-budget. But does it work properly - and what's the image quality like?
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link) (Be sure to get the right lens for your camera system):
USA: amzn.to/39VWYoQ
UK: amzn.to/2wEAQ46
All pictures taken by me on Canon 6D and EOS M3 cameras.
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[@meattoboggan6424]

You're always the first person I look for when I'm interested in a new lens; your reviews are detailed and thorough but not monotonous and you always get right into the important information as well as expressing your own opinion of the product. As a newbie in the world of (somewhat) professional photography your videos have acted almost as a guide to get me on the right path. Keep up the great work.

[@itschriswinter]

Looks great. I've been meaning to get my hands on one since they announced them a few months back. I think I'll buy one now. Great job again Chris, brilliant reviews :)

[@sajagadhikari]

Chris Winter ayyyy chris

[@aronchas]

+1

[@neiltevepaugh9045]

Tested the new Yongnuo 85mm received today on Canon M3 with Canon adapter. No aperture issues.

[@avenegas0691]

This is one of the most honest, accurate and really professional Lens Test series actually available in KZbin. Very good work Mr. Frost. Thanks a lot for your comments!!!

[@DrBrunoDzogovic]

I don't know why people complain about the auto-focus sound noise. These are not cine lenses for video, and using auto-focus for video, well... Besides, it gives you a true vintage feeling that you're actually using a camera to take photographs. I like the sound.

[@TheIshikawaRin]

That auto-focus motor sounds like a squealing pig.

[@chinga888]

piggy peppa sounds

[@vusang5860]

I think so :D

[@legionelegione]

Very accurate

[@sonphilo]

loooool

[@owenkunene1772]

I literally stopped the video soon as I heard it, scrolled down and found this accurate description

[@Monkeyshaman]

This literally just popped up on my ebay dashboard a few seconds ago, you are criminally productive!

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Very good video. Congratulations. I can't wait for the next review of the Yongnuo 100mm f/2.0 which delivers even shallower depth of field. The adapter on the Canon mirrorless camera isn't the original from Canon for EF mount lenses. Maybe this is the problem. The Canon 85mm f/1.8 was made in 1992 and despite that is sharper at corners than the the half price 2017 Yongnuo. Another proof of how a good lens can be a real investment. A portrait lens is always used full open. And portrait photos have usually their corners out of focus (Bokeh). So the disadvantage of the Yongnuo lens at corners isn't serious for portrait photography. The cheapest Canon 50mm f/1.8 costs around 110$. With double the money an amateur can have a true portrait lens with very shallow depth and decent sharpness at f/1.8.

[@christopherfrost]

I'm only going to review the 100mm lens if I hear it's very different from this 85mm one - they are likely to be very, very similar indeed

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Christopher Frost Photography thanks for the reply.

[@pescarull]

100mm f/2.0 doesn't deliver shallower depth of field.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Cornel Just check on google for a depth of field calculator and compare the two lenses. I use the dofmaster website but there are others too. The difference isn't immense. The 85mm f/1.8 lens with a full frame camera that is shooting something at 5 meters, has 36 cm depth of field. The 100mm f/2.0 lens has 29 cm depth of field. Not a big difference but significant. The depth of field isn't relevant to the manufacturer of the lens, or the manufacturer of the camera. The depth of field is relevant to the image sensor, the f number, the focal length and the distance from the camera an objects is shot. By the way ultra wide lenses even full open have very deep depth of field and are easy with manual focus. Bright telephoto lenses are difficult with manual focus but mirrorless cameras have many aids like focus zoom and focus peaking.

[@77appyi]

????????? are you saying the Yongnuo 100MM not focus as close as the Canon 100mm or the 85mm?...because the Canon on FF at f2 closest focusing at 3 feet or 90cm the depth of field is 8.6mm or less than 3/8 of an inch.....how much shallower do you need?????????

[@jackchow4316]

The focus noise.... it's half the price anyway

[@2jv2]

Why you don't make a review of the 100mm?

[@andipr1me43]

@Christopher: I doubt the Meike Adapter to be the cause as well. Afaik these ef to ef-m Adapters are 'dumb', meaning there is no electronics inside, only a pass-through. Thank you for the review!

[@DorinePederzanistudios]

This video sold me on purchasing the lens.

[@ZadieBear]

So I have had the Canon 85 1.8 3 times! The first time I bought new, the others used. I couldn't get past the purple fringing each time. Too bad Yongnuo didn't correct it in this lens. For now, I am using Tamron's fantastic 90 VC (F017) for the 85 focal length, but would like to get a 85 in the future.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Obviously Yongnuo had copied Canon variant as much as possible, but it had to cut the costs somewhere - what brings us to the lense's motor. It seems to me Yongnuo had installed a older type of Canon's motors, from early 90's, regarding the sound and speed. And for the mirrorless - despite the fact that the Meike adapter is really good, it could lack the firmware update for Yongnuo lenses...

[@janamo70]

Very nice Review, I was hoping you were the first one and as professional as always I think i like this lens and the focus noise you dont hear on a photo.

[@grandmastidotcom6115]

We use eos rp with youngnu 85 we have no issues

[@CristiTomaPhotography]

3:15 When using the viewfinder, the lens will always be wide open. No matter what aperture you will select. It is only when the shutter button is pressed when the aperture is closed.

[@caribgen]

It focuses nicely on my M50 .

[@neiltevepaugh9045]

Received my copy today. Tried on canon m5 with the canon adapter. Saw no issues with smaller apertures down to f16.

[@HadiKnowledges]

Canon 85mm 1.8 better?

[@jojujoseph1358]

Dear this is cool... U are the first one to make a video on this lens. Make another video of the same lens.. But this time include the video footage as well as more pictures and your review after 1Week usage. It is going to be a hit!!... Do it. And keep up the good works Christopher.

[@christopherfrost]

Nah, one review is enough I think. Thanks for the suggestion anyway, all the best :-)

[@TheNuncFluens]

Anything else you need? lol

[@nickgr321]

I fully concur with Chris's comment about using this lens on a mirror less camera. I have a Canon M6 and used a Commlite adaptor which works on all my Sigma, Tamron and Canon lenses but it would not even fit properly so no autofocus or aperture control at all

[@Khundire]

Hi Chris. I must say I love your Photography videos. I watched all (or almost) and I think you are the best youtube reviewer of lenses (at least Canon ones). In this video however in the 0:54 you mention that this lens in APSC will have the backgrounds very compressed. Just to note that though mounted on a APSC sensor, the lens is still a 85mm so the backgrounds/planes will be as compressed as on a Full Frame sensor camera. The only difference will be that the image will be cropped with a factor of 1.6/1.5 (Nikon). Keep up the good work!

[@christopherfrost]

Thanks for the comment! What I said is correct though: a more telephoto focal length (whether it's by using a different lens or by attaching to a crop sensor camera) will compress your backgrounds more. That's different from depth-of-field

[@Khundire]

Ok. Now I get your point. You mean by framing the object exactly the same way (so you need to step back with the crop sensor to get the same angle of view). I was thinking in not moving the camera at all, so compression would only be a result of the telephoto focal length being used, but correct me if I am wrong.

[@shoutouttv76]

Like us we all used youngnu 35 50 85 100 mm and its justt our event helper🥰🥰

[@juansanchez7784]

Well I got the Canon dslr 200D from Amazon.uk it came with a kit lens 18-55mm & I also bought the Yungno 50mm f1.8 & I have been quite happy with the Yangnuo lens so now I'm gonna order from amazon the 85 f1.8 from Amazon for £159 coz I can't afford the Canon 85mm f1.8 & with yr review it has helped me quite a lot I don't mind putting up with the noisy motor for the price & the great results this lens produces thank you.

[@clementchalopin5231]

personal confuser. Hello, im about to buy the 200d and I principally looking for portrait photo but also urban photo and group photo.. Is a 50mm too crop and hard to get those picture or is it perfect because it seem to be too zoomed in so I plan to buy a 24mm for the wilder angle

[@huzaifaansari6857]

@@clementchalopin5231 can you tell me yongnuo 85mm lens will work on canon 1300d dslr?

[@deanvm9158]

This is really a nice option for people with tight budget. Sure it is not optically great, but for the price, you can't complain.

[@TheDmiket98]

I bought the 50mm, and after some use, paired with a D7000, it started basically bracketing light wise. Droping 3-4 Stops over about a 10 frame roll and working back to setting complete pain in the ass.. I was happy with the pics and quality. Hoping this is not an issue with this, would love an affordable 85mm

[@ylylyl07]

Just got a copy from Ebay, It's really cheap, but feels solid and focuses really well. No problems so far. Really worth every penny! However a downside is a rather noisy AF (much like the old 50mm Mk2) which thus might not be suitable for videography.

[@jasonandrews7355]

0:50 one correction is that aps-c cameras don't compress the background more than full frames with any given lens. Sure the focal length is closer to 135mm, but the background won't be more compressed.

[@christopherfrost]

Splitting hairs, there - that is essentially what it will look like.

[@FosterMPhotography]

Wow been checking out Canon's 85mm now you gave me some thought about this Yongnuo..nice review..thanks

[@JohnAldred]

That AF motor sounds like a dying Dalek.

[@JohnAldred]

Resale? Does not compute. I keep stuff til it's dead. :)

[@guardianobserver6593]

John Aldred 95% and even more of photographers are using photography for hobby and have fun. Why spending a lot?

[@JohnAldred]

What does that have to do with anything that I said?

[@guardianobserver6593]

John Aldred Only that this lens regarding the rumor, can be great for most of us.

[@JohnAldred]

What rumour? I've no idea what you're talking about.

[@akintomidephotos5072]

I just ordered one, thanks for the review Chris

[@StephanWahlen]

awesome! I was waiting for someone to review that lens. Seems to be well worth its price.. Now, yongnuo, please make AF mirrorless lenses :)

[@thatwolffe3802]

the AF noise sounds like deathly screams

[@lancedeejay]

Works like a charm on my mirror less a6000, auto focus is slow but works.. Used to manual focus so works for me.

[@DynamixWarePro]

When I saw the name Yongnuo, I was thinking the quality wouldn't be the best, especially after you tested the 35mm and 50mm lenses they made, but the image quality and bokeh look quite good and it seems like a good alternative to the Canon 85mm, especially on price. Too bad about the issues with using it with your M3 though, but if it wasn't designed to work on a mirrorless camera and only for DSLRs that that is fine.

[@TheRocketsciencee]

everything looks good except for its noisy focus motor! thanks for the review Chris!

[@giannagiavelli5098]

CFP one correction. the 85 mm on DX will still have 85mm compression not 135mm compression.

[@ermali6139]

Thanks very much for those reviews i always watch your videos...especially canon reviews.. :)

[@ivanrebic8520]

Great video! Hope you will compare it with the 100mm f/2 in the upcoming review soon :)

[@abrahamsotelo6188]

I was searching a test of this lens. Good time for the video C:

[@rjpunzalan3209]

very informative review... i think you're the first one to review this lens...

[@sebbyseb20]

Fantastic! A great review as always. I can see myself buying this lens.. although I wonder how the longer version holds up.

[@CN-pr8le]

Excited to get mine!!

[@UTDimerable]

Very nice review! Thanks, Christopher;)

[@LordMarchenoir]

Thanks for testing it! The optical performances or this lens seems to be good and it would be tempting to mount it on my 6D, but this af noise... it's the only reason why I wouldn't buy it. Anyway, it seems to be its only issue and I can imagine their next optics will be better ans better. Good job Yongnuo !

[@onionboy4350]

The noise omg! but for its price i think its worth it.. i mean, for a beginner like me it'll work just fine (:. Thank you for the video!

[@winnerpj2]

I was waiting for this review. (Brazilian Follower) Nice Job.

[@bedevere007]

I love your reviews. Thank you

[@Adeprh]

Thanks for that information; I found it cool I won [Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8] and I found it a useful lens with good price

[@aronchas]

finally! Thanks Chris!

[@southdevonpixiephotography4119]

Another great review. I mite well have to get one.=) Cheers Chris.=)

[@greatvedas]

Thanks for the review.. Very useful

[@RodolfoAH]

Your stuff is good man! I love the way you make technical explanations easy to understand

[@awat7753]

Mirrorless camera do lock up aperture and only open when taking photos to protect the cmos sensor

[@SANSANTV]

this worth it ....or no?can some body tell me..

[@SANSANTV]

oke..thank you bro

[@LukasFendek]

Thanks for the review, well done that maded :)

[@TheSuphan]

Thanks for the review

[@diegorivera2711]

First? I won a copy of the lens, didn't I? :-P Nice review, I am looking forward for the 100mm f2 review!

[@lorenzolatta]

Why those lenses (35, 50 and 85mm) are not reported on the Yongnuo official website?

[@kookietech3612]

Nice Review Chris! I actually have the 100mm F2 and it is THE WORST in terms of Autofocus

[@tamaskajfis3649]

Thank You at last a normal test ;)

[@Pertamax7-HD]

Wow nice sir

[@PappaJocke]

Looks like a pretty cheap and great 85mm Lens! If i didnt have the Tamron SP 85mm 1.8 Lens allready i would have bought this! :)

[@dbwgsbesm]

looking forward to the review on the new sigma 85mm f1.4 art 😍😍

[@christopherfrost]

Not long now...I'm editing it at this very moment

[@tomswift5559]

Hi Chris Love your reviews! I've just purchased a 100mm f2 Yongnuo but it didn't come with a lens hood. Do you know if a canon lens hood would fit this or if not where I could get one that's compatible. Thanks

[@smysiox]

Thanks for this review and comparison Chris, I really enjoyed it. I'm interested in your personal opinion - which lens would you choose between this Yongnuo and Samyang 85mm 1.4? I'm fully aware that both of them have some exclusive advantages over the other, whichc is AF in Yongnuo (regardless how it works in comparison with Canon) or f/1.4 in Samyang. Did you have a chance to compare their optical performance?

[@christopherfrost]

Personally I'd rather have the extra wide aperture and nicer bokeh of the Samyang lens. That's just me though. To see the optical performance of the Samyang lens - check out my review :-)

[@smysiox]

Of course I've already seen your Samyang review :) But I asked since there's no direct comparison ;) Yes, you are right that even on your video-review bokeh looks better for Samyang and indeed additional wider aperture stop would be quite more useful for portraits. Now I just need to answer to myself whether I would live with manual aperture and focus control :) Nothing difficult, but DSLRs accustomed to comfort with a bit of laziness ;)

[@DionatasRodriguesSantos]

Tive uma lente dessas a 2 anos, muito boa por sinal > From Brazil

[@1780gonzalez]

Does this lens work with adapter MC-11 adapter for sony?

[@MatteoCorti]

What about the compatibility with a DSLR with an aps-c sensor? Let's say a eos550 or 600? Will it get down to 1.8? Also great informative video!

[@christopherfrost]

f/1.8 isn't the problem - the problem was stopping the aperture down! It /should/ work fine on a smaller D-SLR.

[@rattusyu5905]

The AF sounds like the old AF lenses in film days.

[@patiszejuicebox]

Thank you for the review! Just wondering, do you think you can get your hands on the YongNuo 100mm f2? Love 85mm, but there's something about 100mm that's special to me.

[@christopherfrost]

I'm not going to bother as they're like to perform about the same. I will check the 100mm lens if I hear it's much different though

[@Al.j.Vasquez]

Thanks for the review, i have an M50 with adapted lenses, if i were to base my purchase upon the full frame performance, it would be a solid purchase, but its performance on mirrorless cameras is very bad, totally not worth buying even for cheap.

[@Dopiek]

Nice review Chris, as always. Can you review the new Canon 18-135mm nano USM with the Power Zoom PZ-E1?

[@christopherfrost]

I hear its image quality is basically the same as the STM version. I'll try to review it sometime but it's not a priority for me at the moment

[@Dopiek]

Ty :D

[@rcnoob2355]

Would you do another test of this with a canon adaptor? It might have something to do with your third party adaptor. Keeping my hopes up hahaha

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

I noticed you did not use your 70D here. Would this lens work on an APSC size DSLR (like your Canon 70D) and not malfunction like it did on your EOS M3 mirror-less camera? Thanks. And a wonderful video this is.

[@christopherfrost]

I talk about that in the video - yes, it should work absolutely fine on any DSLR (it /should/ do anyway)

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

Thanks for the quick reply. I have subscribed. Your lens review videos are very helpful. Have a great day.

[@Chapter3Fan]

Don't know where to put this question, but for all you canon users out there ... I have a 2nd hand 550D camera and I'd like to stay on an APS-C format ... but low light photography is a pain. I've recently used the 5Dm3 from work for half of a live-music event and the picture quality is so much better (obviously). Question now is ... is there any APSC canon out there that lets you anywhere near the high ISO settings of the 5Dm3 ? On my 550D, anything beyond 800ISO is a waist of the shot; while the 5Dm3 .. ISO1600 or higher ... no problem! I've been looking at 70Dm2 and 80D, but don't know if any of those are a step up from my 550D / worth the money ...

[@Chapter3Fan]

by the way, I was using a 50mm 1.8 lens wide open. ;)

[@christopherfrost]

Afraid not. Full-frame will always be miles ahead

[@josemanuel2244]

Can you review third party adapter,. Seems they have so mixed reviews

[@wannamlwithu]

Wow what an autofocus! :P

[@TheMartingeorge]

This one is the best caparison with canon ....but why you avoid this lens putting on 70d or 60d instead eos m3. when reviewing 100mm f2 we expect...thanks lot chris

[@christopherfrost]

I use the EOS M3 because it has a 24mp APS-C sensor. That's all I need to test a lens's APS-C performance effectively

[@stiermaytaurus7666]

Hi Christopher, I got a question about this lens. Well I got mine brand new, but I think is defective, first the iris is very very slow, so if I shot for example at f16 when I push the button the picture is taken not right away but after maybe half of second or little less!!! If I set in continuous shooting normally my Canon 80D makes 7fps but with the yongnuo makes only 2fps because of the slow iris. I Tried on my other film camera Canon EOS33 (Elan in the US) same thing plus the af don't works. With all my other Canon lens everything works perfect. So well....ok half price but I can't eve use it, and it's a shame because seem to be a good lens, maybe my bad luck and I get a defective piece. What about? Is the Iris so slow in your too?

[@christopherfrost]

It seemed to have some problems on mine. I didn't really try to shoot with it at fast speeds. It may well be a defect

[@ComputingSound]

Would be interesting to see how it compares to vintage manual focus lenses. 😉

[@hattrickster33]

Computing.Sound I'd rather get one of those. Some of the old Canon manual focus lenses have much better quality than any of the EF lenses for the same price.

[@laszu7137]

With some wide angle lenses I can focus manually just as fast as modern AF quivalents. AF gets more usefull the higher you go in focal length.

[@YoungBlaze]

Question, can i use this with a metabones adaptor ultra for a GH5?

[@christopherfrost]

Don't know, sorry!

[@mazzfotovideo]

and for nikon?...

[@ditorres9884]

Please review the YN 100mm too. There's almost no info about it on the internet and I would like to know if it's a better deal than the YN 85mm.

[@christopherfrost]

Hmm - my guess is that it will basically be the same. I might test it one day

[@chatolars]

Great review ! Thanks Will this one work in a Rebel EOS SL2? Cheers

[@christopherfrost]

Yes

[@HiroTaniguchi2]

cheeeeeeeeeeep!! Yongnuo has been updating products that canon is reluctant to do. Thanks Yongnuo but i don't buy Chinese when it comes to camera gears.

[@wildbill9919]

Does it have rounded aperture blades? I know the Canon 85 1.8 does not.

[@wildbill9919]

The focus motor sounds like a micro motor and not an ultrasonic motor.

[@dorfschmidt4833]

Yongnuo kicks Canon and Nikon asses.

[@christopherfrost]

Not sure about that haha

[@marcp.1752]

Hi Chris, you Issues with the M-Series Canon is not related to the Yongnuo 85/1.8 Lens, but _sorry_ i'd say about your cheap EF to EF-M Adapter here. I either way can't afford a HighEnd MetaBones Adapter here, but i am also not using a EOS-M Series Mirrorless Canon. You should *really* give the Yongnuo Lens a try with the original, genuine EF(S) to EF-M Canon Adapter - which doesn't cost a fortune. :-) I don't own a Canon M-Series Mirrorless, neither this Yongnuo, so i can't test it...no offense. ;-)

[@christopherfrost]

I would like to, but the thing is, that adaptor costs £100 (!) and I really can't see what the mechanical difference actually would be within the cheaper adaptor that would cause aperture problems. I could be wrong, though, of course

[@marcp.1752]

I see....there was a time when Canon M Series Mirrorless have been bundled with the original Canon EF(S) to EF-M Adapter - one can only being 100% sure *if* one does use the original, that the issues are not coming from the Adapter, but the Lens. Many 3rd Party AF Adapters do have a really bad AF Performance, for instance, especially the ones from FOTGA, Commlite & Viltrox brand, perhaps it's the same issue with your Iteration & brand. Anyway, I do like to watch your videos for quite some years, keep up the good work! :-) PS: The EF 24-105 STM is a much better Lens then being predicted by you - no offense, in some points, better than the old 2005 24-105/4L USM, and into any case, the brand-new 24-105/F4L USM Mk. II isn't really better - that's really strange, after >11 years, only subtle, neglible. Check out the Reviews from Photozone, photographic Central & LensRentals. Roger Cicala, the lens authority himself, also said there, he wouldn't upgrade to the Mk. II Iteration. Anyway, this Yongnuo 85/1.8 can be bought of Aliexpress atm for as low as 178 USD, and i'd guess the price would even drop down to 150 bucks, within some time...so if one can life with the small issues, it's good enough - for portrait work (I only shoot static objects, landscape, architecture)

[@marcp.1752]

I see your point. Thank you, Chris. And please keep up the great work - making decent reviews.

[@prezliskarfiol3338]

Very well made comparison, as always! Don't you want to change your mind and test the Yongnuo 100mm f/2 in the future? :)

[@christopherfrost]

I'm not going to bother as they're like to perform about the same. I will check the 100mm lens if I hear it's much different though

[@dunnymonster]

Nice review :-D

[@koushickhasan6225]

brother...plz say about 100mm f2 vs 85mm 1.8 yongnue lens......which one better for flowers,nature,potrait????

[@koushickhasan6225]

which should be better for me???youngnue 85 or 100 f2??? which one you used or both??

[@jeremypinder4436]

hey i'm on a budget but i love good quality lens i was at a wedding and the photographer was taking wonderful pictures with this lens. i told him i want a camera lens that takes great pictures and he said your best bet is to buy this camera lens and he told me to buy the 10-18mm lense as well. so let me asked you can i take any picture i want with the 85mm lens or this lens is only for taking portraits. i love taking pictures of everything i want to just have 2 lens there's no need to have 3 and 4 lens i want one camera lens that can do everything or if i need two lens then i will do that but i want my pictures to be nice and sharp

[@ivanblanco8165]

Shame my copy missed focus 70-80% of the time, because the optics were superb.

[@offworlddesignphotography5009]

Do you have a link for the one you bought? If still available.

[@airaliu5117]

Hello, will Yongnuo YN85mm f/1.8 works for Canon 1500D?

[@evanthonypaglinawan]

Hi Chris, may i ask if theres a nikon version for this lens?

[@TheJudge064]

Honestly, you can get the cannon version second hand in around the same price range. You'd be much better off getting that one