Samyang 85mm f/1.4 ASP IF - Reviews
(4.7)
87 reviews
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For Samyang 85mm f/1.4 ASP IF, 87 customer reviews collected from 2 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.7.
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9.3.2016
This is a rare thing indeed. It is both cheap (relatively) and awesome. Build quality is excellent, picture quality almost as good as it gets and it is a joy to use.**NOTE: This review is based on my Pentax mount version. I'm not sure if it works in Aperture Priority mode on all makes, or if the focus confirmation works for all makes.**This is one of those rare lenses that proves to be relatively cheap, but also very very good. I have the Falcon version but it comes in many different brand names including Samyang and Vivitar.First thing to note is that on a Pentax mount it works in aperture priority (Av) mode, so you can set the aperture with the camera dial (you can on my K5 anyway).
22.11.2011
**NOTE: This review is based on my Pentax mount version. I'm not sure if it works in Aperture Priority mode on all makes, or if the focus confirmation works for all makes.**This is one of those rare lenses that proves to be relatively cheap, but also very very good. I have the Falcon version but it comes in many different brand names including Samyang and Vivitar.First thing to note is that on a Pentax mount it works in aperture priority (Av) mode, so you can set the aperture with the camera dial (you can on my K5 anyway). This is handy as the aperture dial itself is tricky to get to as its very small and recessed. The focus method is manual on these, but it is very smooth and not at all lose,
15.7.2020
I bought this lens for its quality glass and wide aperture to use for portrait photos. First tried it on my EOS 6D Mk1 and it worked fine but relies on very good eyesight (even with dioptre set to my prescription) to get pin sharp images. The focus ring has decent resistance and 130 degree travel so that is good. One can of course switch to electronic screen, zoom in to get focus pin sharp then zoom back out and take the photo but it's too much hassle in a real-world environment. Yes I can get a acceptable focus using my eye through the viewfinder but it's not as reliable as the other method. So I tried it on my mirrorless Canon M50 which has focus peaking through the EVF and screen.
7.2.2014
If you enjoy the challenge of manual focusing, this lens is spectacular -both in terms of price and the competition (ie Nikon 85mm). I had the AF Nikon and this to directly compare. The choice was so easy. This lens is sharp, solidly constructed and takes wonderfully sharp and crisp images. I did need to use the fine tune facility in my d300 to get it spot on, but that took around 10 mins and was so well worth it.I love manual focusing now, as it makes me think about and compose my images with care. I am getting more keepers and avoiding filling up my hard drive with hundreds of so-so pics. One thing with this lens to bear in mind is the relatively long minimum focus range. Not a problem really,
9.6.2016
Great lens, really great IQ, nice sturdy build. Five stars to lens, zero to seller. Not saying all lenses from here are used and/or refurbished, but my copy definitely is. Returning it same day. First thing found when unboxing - huge scratch across lens cap. No big deal. Second thing - lens is very difficult to mount onto camera. I literally have to use force to fit it on, same when removing it from camera. After removing lens there even some metal shavings visible inside camera, tiny particles of metal scratched from bot camera and lens mount. No other lens in my collection, or adapter, or extension did it like that, ever. Third and last thing - dust inside lens. Srsly?
1.2.2012
I researched this lens before buying it - scoured the net, trawled forums and then took the plunge. Awesome bokeh and razor sharp. Fabulous image quality.If you can manual focus your lens, this is a no brainer. Just get it. Bang for buck there's not much better. You won't regret it. It's the chipped version, so will meter with the body of most Nikon dslr's. There is also a focus assist green light, with rangefinder option on newer dslr's. Focussing at f1.4 With the narrow depth of field can be tricky but rewarding!If you can't manual focus, think twice. Then learn how! Or look at the AF compatible lenses.Build quality is great, although a nikon lens cap would be better! Lovely focussing ring,
21.2.2016
Has become fixed to the front of my X-E1 as if glued on. It took a little while to get used to as it as manual focus only and the temptation to shoot at f1.4 is at first overwhelming so with a narrow dof and relying on my manual focussing skills I missed focus on a hell of a lot of shots. Get direct strong sunlight on a white subject and expect a lot of purple fringing, but that's easily corrected in Lightroom. Don't point the thing at bright objects harshly lit and you'll start getting lovely results. There is a crispness to the results but a certain delicate softness which is what makes it such a great portrait lens. A little large on my small Fuji body but with practise I'm nailing the focus more and more often and the results are wonderful.
22.7.2020
With its manual focus, this lens is ideally suited for video and film making as you can pull focus very smoothly and accurately. (Even the best autofocus systems hunt and they cannot give you the same manual control as a dedicated manual lens can.) The f1.4 aperture gives luscious out-of-focus backgrounds while still giving sharp enough subject imaging with just a hint of dreamy softness. Stopped down a little more and it is tack sharp. There is no noticeable distortion with this lens and of course its 85mm focal length is perfect for just the right amount of image compression and presence for close ups and head shots you need for filming and portraiture.
2.6.2014
I have used Nikon cameras and Nikon lens for over 35 years now. I still have all the cameras and lens I have ever bought. I had a little bonus at the end of the tax year, thank you HM inspector of taxes, so I took a chance and purchased the Nikon AE version of this lens. WOW, portrait photo's are superb from my D7000. Yes it can suffer a little flair when shooting towards bright light sources but the so do half of my Nikon lens. Being old school the manual focus is not a problem, my wife took about 10 mins to get the hang of it on her D3200 producing some very good photos. Pound for Pound one of the best lens I have ever bought.
1.7.2012
I have got it recently.I have tested it on my D800.I am still shocked, one doesn't realize how sharp and beautiful pictures this little beast takes.The only one that takes same but with worse bookeh is famous Nikkor 85 F1.4, but notice it costs 5 times as much.If it had AF, I guarantee you - no one would buy Nikkor.This lens are just stunning! I am amazed how CHEAP also they are!!I used to have (used...) 50 F1.4 and 35 F1.8, this lens simply makes all of them redundant if you can do MF.If you even just thought interested about this lens and you are after extreme sharp pictures: DONT EVEN WAIT - BUY IT!
23.4.2016
I bought this in Canon fit to use with a simple adaptor on Sony full frame E-mount. I'm comfortable when using a manual focus lens with my Sony mirrorless because of the helpful focus peaking and the live view magnification. It's a fantastic lens for the money. In focus areas are very sharp, when wide open the edges suffer a little, typical of any 1.4 lens but the centre is perfect, great for portraiture. The bokeh is very nice. Colour and contrast all fantastic. I have used it for both photo and video. I've owned L glass like the Canon 24-105 zoom and the quality from this prime easily beats that lens.
11.3.2020
Excellent lens for the money, once you get the hang of it being completely manually operated on the focus and aperture. It's heavier than the Nikkor z 85mm, but not too heavy, it feels balanced and easy to operate with smooth even focus. Picture quality is outstanding, especially as a portrait lens, offering unbelievable bokeh.I think it's a no brainer for the kit bag if you use an 85mm on occasion and for less than half the price of it's Nikon cousin. If Samyang ever introduce autofocus and electronic control...watch out Nikkor!Nothing comes close for outstanding picture quality and value for money.
7.4.2015
Great lens for the price and being a manual focus it adds some fun to it. The colour is great and its sharp. Ive taken some great photos with this. The only criticism I have is the focus ring is very well damped and stiff, which makes focusing very slow. you have to be gentle with this at times it feels like it will snap off from the camera if you focus too quickly. Dont like the lens cap and also no aperture lock but this has not been an issue.Great for portraits and reasonably static objects, would not recommend for action or weddings though, would need auto focus
21.10.2012
Every time I use this lens the results leave me speechless.There is a misterious mix of sharpness and softness to the images with loads of details and beautiful,deep colours which gives 3D and a sort of silkiness feel to the objects. I have also been using 3 Nikon lenses but this Samyang blows them all away making them redundant.The main advantages over other lenses:-sharpness-colour-lack of distortion-lack of chromatic aberration-bokeh smoothness-fun to use due to MF only :)-low priceConsidering these, this lens is unbeatable and highly recommended.
10.2.2017
Excellent lens for your money. Very sharp and mine has the focus confirmation chip which works well enough. It encourage me with my manual focusing skill as I have not manually focused a camera since the 80's. It is not easy as the camera had the prism that indicates when it is in focus and new dslr does not have this facility which makes accurate focusing very difficult and the focus confirmation chip does the job of confirming when you have the fous right (technically same job as the prism in old cameras)