The Samyang 85mm f1.4 is a manual focus fixed focal length lens, designed to deliver exceptional results at wide apertures. At f1.4, excellent images can be achieved, making it perfect for portraits and low-light shooting, especially when mounted on a full-frame DSLR.

The Samyang 85mm is also suitable for cropped sensors, including APS-C / DX sensors, when used on cropped sensors it gives an equivalent focal length of around 127mm, or 135mm equivalent focal length on Canon cropped sensor DSLRs. Combined with the fast f1.4 aperture, it provides an excellent lens for close-up portraits or distance work with cropped sensor cameras, or for shooting in various low light conditions.

Bokeh (the character of out-of-focus blur) is a primary concern for professionals choosing a very wide aperture lens for shallow depth of field photography. The Samyang 85mm f1.4 lens design delivers excellent bokeh quality of out-of-focus highlights when used near maximum aperture, such as at f/1.4 and f/2. Independent tests and users confirm the beautiful bokeh character of the Samyang, outperforming lenses costing 4 times as much.

The optical construction of the lens includes 9 lenses arranged in 7 optical groups with one aspherical lens element. The Samyang 85mm is designed with Internal Focusing (IF), meaning the lens doesn't increase in size during focusing. Another positive aspect of internal focusing is that the lens is much less likely to allow dust ingress, unlike external focusing (or zoom) lenses which can suck in dirt during use. The 8-blade diaphragm design contributes to excellent bokeh character at apertures close to maximum aperture.

The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 IF MC features multi-coated lenses that contribute to the very high level of light transmission and increased resistance to flare and ghosting. It features a good-sized manual focus ring and is perfectly suited to most photographic applications (excluding sports or fast-moving subjects) where manual focus is not an issue. Accurate focusing in critical situations can be achieved using Live View focusing, available on most recent camera models. In practice, users including professional photographers have found that manual focusing the Samyang 85mm was 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, accurate focus can be achieved, giving excellent results on full-frame cameras.

Increasing numbers of users are also using DSLRs for filming and high definition (HD) video, and manual focus lenses allow the user to change focus during filming. Many of the Samyang lenses (primarily for Canon EOS mount, although other mounts are possible) can also be specially ordered with uncoupled manual aperture (de-clicked) if the primary use of the lens is video/cinema where smooth aperture change is needed during recording.

For general photography, the standard coupled aperture is usually preferred to prevent accidental aperture changes during photo sessions or when focusing.

The Samyang 85mm f1.4 should be seriously considered by all professional or amateur photographers who need a fast fixed focal length lens, regardless of their 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 and high-performing f/1.4 portrait lens.

Available mounts: Canon, Sony A Mount, Pentax, 4/3, Samsung NX.

Supplied with front and rear lens caps, lens hood and soft lens case. Filter size 72mm


specifications