Finally got my hands on the superb Samyang 85mm f1.4 for Sony. After 2 full days testing it at 2 different weddings I can give you my opinion on this lens.
I used it extensively with photography and videography and it really is a cracking lens.
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Below is a list of our gear, most of which was used to make this video:
Sony A7iii Camera Body – UK: US:
Sony 28m F2.0 FE Lens – UK: US:
Sony 55m 1.8 Zeiss FE Lens – UK: US:
Sony 85 1.8 FE Lens – UK: US:
Tamron 28-75 2.8 FE Lens – UK: US:
Panasonic GH5 Camera Body – UK: US:
Panasonic G7 Camera Body – UK: US:
Panasonic 12-35 2.8 Lens – UK: US:
Panasonic 14m f2.5 Pancake Lens – UK: US:
Rode VideoMicro – UK: US:
Rode Videomic Pro – UK: US:
Tascam DR05 Sound Recorder – UK: US:
Godox SL60W Studio Light – UK: US:
DJI Mavic 2 Pro – UK: US:
DJI Mavic Air – UK: US:
DJI Phantom 4 – UK: US:
Anyone looking at getting this lens? I know I will be picking one up for my own collection asap!
I can get the 85mm 1.8 for 400 bucks used. But the 85 1.4 is 700 still. Is the 1.4 worth 300 dollars? The 1.8 also has focus hold button and af mf switch. Thoughts?
great review from an actual user. Sold
Where can we order this lens? I can't find it anywhere in Europe…
Great review … keep them coming!!!
Hello, where can you buy this with the cashback? Thanks for the review
Video continuous AF is pretty garbage. If you or the subject are moving closer/further at any moment, don't hold your breath on keeping it 'tack sharp'.
I have one on order, selling my canon fit siggy art with the mc-11. I love the sigma but the weight and size is a pain when swinging from my holdfast, especially if I have another heavy lens on the other side. The weight and size of the Samyang 85 is pretty small in comparison to be honest, I held it at TPS and was very impressed indeed! Thanks for the review mate!!
Great Very detailed review, hows the focusing speed compared to the sony 85mm 1.8? We have to say you've got very steady hand on those handheld video clips 😊
Try the Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4
wish id come across your vids earlier, nice stuff
Excellent
Buttercream bokeh in video!!!
so video auto focus was good? Once i get my tax return i plan on getting this for talking head interviews/portraits
I want it. Thanks for sharing.
In what way do feel the Sony 85mm f1.4 GM produces better images? Color? Bokeh? Overall intangible look?
To tell you the truth, I was not terribly impressed with the first two wedding shots of te groom. However, the later shots are magical. Great lens + excellent photographer + beautiful bride is a formula for super wedding coverage. Since I shoot using the A6400 and A6500 , I plan on sticking to my Sony 85mm f/1.8 because its form factor matches the size of my APSC cameras better. However, if I were shooting full frame, I would seriously consider this lens.
Mindblowin´! Thank you for this impressions!
very tempted to sell my Sony 85mm F1.8 & get this..
Colors seem to be way off on the photos, or are they edited?
Hows the AF after new Version 3 Firmware , Real time Eye AF ?
Thanks for the video. Do you use ND filter for the film part?
Thank you for the video. Think I'm going to compare this as well to the Sony 85 f 1.8
Have you used it with any third party batteries? And if so, did you notice anything weird in the camera's performance? I can't tell if it's just my copy that doesn't play nice with third party batteries, or if it's built into the lens.
Thank you for the review! 🙂
Great look into the practical use of it. Thanks for sharing!
Note something very important here. I've seen a few comparisons between the Sony FE 85/1.8 and both the 85/1.4 GM (see Jason Vong's video for example) and the Sigma 85/1.4 Art (see Dave McKeegan's video for example), and in both of them the Sony FE 85/1.8 is a very viable choice, and where the GM does really render wonderful color tones in all shots I've seen + it's bokeh is stunning, the Art lens doesn't distance itself that much from the FE 85/1.8 in the real world. Even open wide, the sharpness of the FE 85/1.8 holds up very nicely and it's even sharper across the frame at 1.8 than the Art is at 1.4, while just as sharp with the Art at 1.8. Even with it's wider aperture, the Art version is only letting 1/3 to 1/2 stop more light through. I see only the GM version as an actual step up in image deliciousness. It really is something else. Now you say that you will just have to surrender to this Samyang 85, and that kinda puts it up with and maybe even above the Batis 85, which is juuuust slightly more yummie than the FE 85/1.8, but not enough to make me wish I had that one instead, and I'm sure you agree that once you got the FE 85/1.8 the Batis just disappeared from your radar.
I've been worried about some "warm" color cast I've seen in some tests here on YouTube, but I don't see any of that in your images here. That is really winning me over. Are you noticing anything you have to do in post to mitigate anything like that?
I mean, I don't mind anything that just has to do with white balance, because for anything serious I'll make sure to have a shot of a grey card too at least, so that won't be a problem, but I've played around with a couple of uploaded images and they gave no conclusive answer. I've even asked Dustin Abbott, but I may be expressing myself poorly, as he seems to think I don't wanna like the lens or won't believe the hype or something. I've gotten an "If you don't like what you see, don't buy the lens"-answer from him twice now, so I'm rubbing him the wrong way, I suppose. I just know how outstanding the FE 85/1.8 is for the money, and the odds of another one happening on us with an even wider aperture are "impossible to nothing", to quote a Paul Reiser line from The Marrying Man. I just wanna make sure it's not too good to be true, and my only worry has been that color cast. I do see a bit of fringing/chromatic abberation, but nothing that would worry me at all. I love the Sigma 50 Art a lot, and that also can be provoked to give a bit of that, but it's of no concern to me at all, and you images shows exactly how I wouldn't even bother with removing it in most situations.
Thanks for this video! 🙂 Two things! 1. With A7iii latest firmware you don’t need a dedicated button for eye-af anymore so I don’t think you’ll miss the button on the Sony 85mm that much 🙂 2. Did you try video af on the samyang? I’ve seen other reviews where it struggles massively to both find and track subjects. What is your experience?
Thanks for video. So for you samyang is better then sony 85 1.8 ? I want buy 85mm and need choose.
Hello what firmware do you have on the lens and a7iii? Thnx
Proof is in the pudding. Those shots speak for themselves. That couple must have been over the moon to receive them. Sounds like the focus was snappy. Did you try tracking any action in low light? I shoot dancers in low light so focus needs to be bang on. If it works as well as the Sony 85 1.8, I'll buy one.
Mine just arrived today! (The Rokinon Version) and it is AMAZING! Ive done a shoot with it ALREADY and it is FANTASTIC! This coming from someone who's owned the Tamron 85, Sony 85, Samyang 85 1.2 XP and yes… The 85 art lens… I really like this new 85…
I preordered one but I cancelled it. I don't like the colour rendering of this lens comparing to GM 85 and also there is a flare resistence problem on this lens. From price and weight point of view, this lens is unbeatable.
I really do plan on getting this lens
Most certainly will be getting 1 of these
I've got the manual version, love it!