Samyang AF 85mm F 1 4 FE II Review | 54 Data compared

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II is a compact, 509g portrait lens for Sony FE cameras offering "excellent, even sharpness from center to edge" and fast, silent autofocus. Key performance highlights include minimal chromatic aberration, very low distortion, and exceptional flare resistance. Highlighted pros include superior, smooth bokeh, robust weather sealing, and a competitive price, while a noted con is visible vignetting at f/1.4, which can serve as an aesthetic,, artistic feature. The lens features a customizable focus hold button and a programmable switch.

The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 Series II (AF 85II) is a compact, lightweight prime lens for Sony FE mounts that significantly improves upon its predecessor's handling and autofocus system while maintaining the same excellent 11-element optical formula. Priced right under $800 USD, it undercuts the chief competing Sigma 85mm F1.4 DN ART by roughly $400, presenting an exceptional price-to-performance ratio. Key upgrades include a streamlined weather-sealed body with seven seal points, a custom programmable switch, a focus hold button, and an upgraded Linear STM focus motor. Optically, the lens delivers outstanding real-world sharpness across the frame, a slightly improved minimum focus distance (85 cm), minimal pincushion distortion, and beautifully soft, well-isolated bokeh highlights. The review highlights several prominent advantages alongside a few functional drawbacks. On the positive side, the lens boasts quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus tracking for stills and portraits, outperforming the first-generation version and matching the Sigma DN ART in speed and confidence. It is also smaller and lighter than competing first-party options, has low distortion, and demonstrates fairly strong flare resistance. However, it does suffer from noticeable...

The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II is a lightweight, budget-friendly portrait lens designed for full-frame E-mount cameras. Weighing around 540 grams and measuring 11 cm in length, this second-generation version introduces key improvements over its predecessor, including seven-point weather sealing, a focus hold button, and a customizable control switch. Optically, the lens delivers strong center sharpness when shooting wide open at f/1.4, which scales up significantly by f/2.8, while surprisingly retaining sharp (though very dark) edges. It also effectively controls barrel distortion and chromatic aberrations, and its heavy wide-open vignette cleans up nicely when stopped down to f/2.8 or f/4. Despite these benefits, the review highlights several performance weaknesses compared to its premium Sigma and Sony counterparts. Its autofocus mechanism is a major drawback, coming last in high-speed tracking success rates (7 out of 21 sharp shots) and displaying occasional focus hunting during video capture. Videographers will also find the non-linear focus throw and heavy focus breathing highly problematic. Furthermore, the Samyang suffers from pronounced lens flare, a slightly less smooth manual focus ring, and produces bokeh circles that...

The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II is an updated fast portrait telephoto lens designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. It features an optical design containing 11 elements in 8 groups, including four High Refractive (HR) elements and one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) element to optimize resolution. A major highlight is its upgraded Linear STM autofocus motor, which provides quieter, faster, and more accurate AF performance compared to the dual linear motor of the first generation. Built with professional control in mind, the lens includes a custom switch and a Focus Hold button, all packaged inside a dust- and water-resistant housing. It also has a minimum focusing distance of 85 cm and a 9-blade rounded aperture designed for creamy bokeh. The main advantages (pros) of this updated version center on its physical refinements and enhanced video capabilities. The lens is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, weighing 509 grams instead of 568 grams. Additionally, Samyang successfully reduced focus breathing, making it a much more reliable option for video shooting. On the downside (cons), the lens does not offer a shorter...