Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Z

Reviewers treat it as the familiar Samyang 85mm F1.4 in a native Z body. Centre sharpness is good from f/2, bokeh is smooth, and fringing and vignetting are noticeable wide open. The weather sealing and solid build are welcome at this price.

The limits are the same as before: no AF, no lens data passed to the camera, and a 1.1m minimum focus that gives only 0.09x. Against Nikon's 85mm f/1.8 S it is softer and slower to use, but it is cheaper and has a classic look that some prefer.

Owners like the portrait look, the smooth focus action and the solid metal barrel. Many use it with focus peaking and magnification on Z bodies, which makes manual focus at f/1.4 workable for posed portraits.

Complaints repeat the original's: soft corners and purple fringing at f/1.4, a long close-focus distance, and the weight. Some owners wish the aperture ring could be de-clicked for video.