The Samyang 85mm T1.5 is a manual focus lens, this VDSLR (Video DSLR) version has been developed primarily for professional filmmaking. The VDSLR version features a follow focus ring and de-clicked aperture, allowing the user to smoothly and quietly 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, which is 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 lens speed by assuming the lens transmits 100% of 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 should also be noted that Samyang lenses achieve excellent transmission properties.

Bokeh (the character of background blur) is a major concern for professionals choosing a very wide aperture lens for shallow depth-of-field photography. The design of the Samyang 85mm T1.5 lens provides excellent bokeh quality in out-of-focus areas when used near full aperture, perfect for cinematographic 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 lenses arranged in 7 optical groups with an aspherical element. The Samyang 85mm is designed with internal focusing (IF) which means the lens does not increase in size when focusing. Another positive aspect of internal focusing is that the lens is much less likely to accumulate dust inside, unlike external focusing (or zoom) lenses which can draw in dirt during use. The 8-blade diaphragm design contributes to the excellent bokeh character at apertures close to full aperture.

The Samyang 85mm T1.5 IF MC features multi-coated lenses that contribute to the very high level of light transmission, and increased resistance to flare and ghosting. It has a good-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 focusing 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 problematic, even when photographing at f1.4 with very shallow depth of field in low-light scenarios with static and slow subjects, precise focusing can be achieved giving excellent results on full-frame cameras.

There is also a growing number of users using digital SLRs for filming and high-definition (HD) video and manual focus lenses allow the user to change focus during filming, hence the development of VDSLR versions.

The focus ring features geared rings compatible with professional follow focus systems available in the film industry, as well as a de-clicked (clickless) de-coupled aperture ring. These modifications allow smooth and precise control of focus and aperture during video recording/filming. This enables ultimate manual control of focus and exposure when filming scene by scene with different light source intensities, such as changing exposure values (EV) from inside to outside, 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 filming and high-definition (HD) video and manual lenses allow the user to change focus (focus pulling) and aperture during filming.

The Samyang 85mm T1.5 lens should be seriously considered by all professional or amateur 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 wanting 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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