The Samyang 85mm T1.5 is a manual focus prime lens; this VDSLR (Video DSLR) version has been developed primarily for professional filming. The VDSLR version features a gear system for follow focus and a de-clicked aperture ring, allowing users to smoothly and silently adjust focus and aperture/depth of field during filming, and to connect to professional follow focus systems.

The Samyang 85mm T1.5 is a manual focus prime lens designed to deliver exceptional results at wide apertures. At T1.5, excellent images can be achieved, making it perfect for portrait and low-light photography, particularly when mounted on a full-frame digital SLR.

Samyang VDSLR Cine lenses are rated in T-Stops rather than F-stops, which is the standard for professional cinema camera lenses. The F-stop number expresses the speed of the lens assuming the lens transmits 100% of the incident light, and is therefore theoretical rather than an actual measurement. The T number expresses the actual light transmission, and is therefore accurate for exposure. It is also worth noting that Samyang lenses achieve excellent transmission properties.

Bokeh (the character of out-of-focus background blur) is a major concern for professionals choosing a very wide aperture lens for shallow depth of field photography. The Samyang 85mm T1.5 lens design delivers excellent bokeh quality in out-of-focus areas when used near maximum aperture, perfect for cinematic applications. Independent tests and users confirm the beautiful bokeh character of the Samyang, surpassing lenses 4 times more expensive.

The optical construction of the lens is the same as that of the 85mm f1.4 lens, comprising 9 elements arranged in 7 optical groups with one aspherical element. The Samyang 85mm is designed with internal focus (IF), meaning the lens does not increase in size during focusing. Another positive aspect of internal focus is that the lens is much less likely to allow dust ingress, unlike externally focusing (or zoom) lenses which can draw in dirt during use. The 8-blade aperture design helps achieve excellent bokeh at apertures close to maximum.

The Samyang 85mm T1.5 IF MC features multi-coated lenses that promote very high levels of light transmission and increased resistance to flare and ghosting. It has a generously sized manual focus ring and is perfectly suited to most photographic applications (with the exception of sports or fast-moving subjects) where manual focus is not an issue. Precise focus in critical situations can be achieved through the use of Live View focusing, available on most recent camera models. In practice, users, including professional photographers, have found that manual focusing with the Samyang 85mm is not an issue, even when shooting at f1.4 with very shallow depth of field in low-light scenarios with static and slow-moving subjects; precise focus can be achieved, delivering excellent results on full-frame cameras.

There is also a growing number of users using digital SLRs for high definition (HD) video recording and filming, and manual focus lenses allow users to change focus during filming, which is why VDSLR versions have been developed.

The focus ring features toothed rings compatible with professional follow focus systems available in the film industry, as well as a clicked and de-clicked aperture ring. These modifications allow precise and smooth control of focus and aperture during video recording/filming. This enables ultimate manual control of focus and exposure when shooting scene by scene with different light source intensities, such as changing exposure values (EV) from indoors to outdoors, or even in-camera fades, etc.

Samyang VDSLR versions can be used in photography as well as video. There is a growing number of users using digital SLRs for high definition (HD) video recording and filming, and manual lenses allow users to change focus (focus pulling) and aperture during filming.

The Samyang 85mm T1.5 lens should be seriously considered by all professional or enthusiast photographers requiring a fast prime lens, regardless of budget. Given the low cost of the lens, it should not be overlooked for amateur use, or as a primary or secondary lens for professionals seeking a dedicated, high-performance T1.5 portrait lens.

Available mounts: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony A and Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds (MFT). Filter size 72mm


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