Photo: Krasen Belev (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
A manual-focus 85mm portrait prime for full-frame DSLRs with an f/1.4 aperture. It delivers smooth background blur.
Pros
- f/1.4 aperture
- Smooth background blur
- Full-frame coverage
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Slower to use for moving subjects
Verdict
Consider it a portrait lens for those comfortable focusing manually. It is better for posed portraits than action.
About this lens
The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF is a fast short-telephoto prime lens covering 85mm at f/1.4 for Canon EF mount cameras, with aspherical elements. An affordable fast manual-focus portrait prime.
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF specifications
- Brand
- Samyang
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 85mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.4
- Lens type
- Prime
- Optical construction
- 9 elements in 7 groups
- Minimum focus distance
- 1.1 m
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
Specification source: lksamyang.com
What can you shoot with the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF?
- Portraits
- Studio work
- Video
Its very wide maximum aperture suits low light and shallow depth of field with strong background blur.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 85mm | 23.9° | 28.6° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 136mm | 15.1° | 18.1° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 sharp?
It is reasonably sharp, especially when stopped down slightly from f/1.4.
Does the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF have autofocus?
No. It is a manual-focus lens, though Canon versions with an AE chip add in-camera focus confirmation.
Is the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF good for video?
Yes. Manual focus is a natural fit for video, where smooth manual focus pulls are common.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
