Samyang 85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC
Launch MSRP
$299- Weight
- 570g
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Min focus
- 1.10m
- Max mag.
- 0.09×
- Formula
- 9E / 7G
- Released
- 2013
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x Hybrid Aspherical
- UMC (Ultra Multi-Coating)
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 570g
- ⌀ × length
- 78.0 × 100.7mm
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- —
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 1.10m
- Max magnification
- 0.09× (1:11.1)
Optical character
This is Samyang's longest-running portrait lens and one of the cheapest ways to get an 85mm f/1.4 on full-frame Sony E. It has a simple nine-element design with a single hybrid aspherical element, internal focusing, and an eight-blade aperture. The Sony E version adds a built-in adapter section, so it is about 101mm long and 570g.
Wide open it renders softly, with low contrast and smooth out-of-focus areas that suit faces. By f/2 to f/2.8 it becomes sharp. It is fully manual with no electronic contacts, and the 1.1m minimum focus distance limits tight headshots.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers have long recommended it as a bargain portrait lens. Centre sharpness at f/1.4 is decent and becomes very good by f/2, and bokeh is smooth and rounded for the price. Longitudinal colour fringing is noticeable wide open, and vignetting is strong at f/1.4.
In tests the corners stay weaker than first-party 85s until stopped down, contrast in backlight is only fair, and the lack of AF and EXIF makes it a lens for deliberate work rather than events. Modern AF 85s are clearly better, but at several times the cost.
Owner sentiment
Owners often call it the best-value portrait lens they have bought and praise the creamy background blur and gentle skin rendering at f/1.4 to f/2. Focus peaking on Sony bodies makes it usable for posed portraits.
Complaints are the 1.1m close focus, nailing focus wide open by hand, missing EXIF, and the extra length of the E-mount version. Some report copy-to-copy variation.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Very low price for an 85mm f/1.4
- +Smooth, flattering bokeh
- +Sharp by f/2
- +Internal focusing, 72mm filter
Weaknesses
- −Long 1.1m minimum focus (0.09x)
- −Fringing and vignetting wide open
- −No electronic contacts or EXIF
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.8
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.5
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- Flare Resistance
- 7.2
- Build / Sealing
- 7.2
- Value / Size
- 9.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm |
| Category | Short Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 9 elements in 7 groups |
| Special elements | 1x Hybrid Aspherical · UMC (Ultra Multi-Coating) |
| Aperture blades | 8 |
| Focus type | Manual Focus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Manual Helicoid |
| Minimum focus | 1.10m |
| Max magnification | 0.09× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 570g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 78.0 × 100.7mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀72mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2013 |
| Launch MSRP | $299 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
- rokinon.com/products/85mm-f1-4-full-frame
- dpreview.com/products/samyang/lenses/samyang_85_1p4
- dpreview.com/articles/0475103316/samyang-announces-five-full-frame-e-mou
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC vs AF 85mm F1.8
- VS85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC vs 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO
- VS85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC vs AF 85mm F1.4 FE
- 7Artisans
AF 85mm F1.8
85mmF1.8- WT
- 438g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $299
AFRING·DC - Laowa
85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO
85mmF5.6- WT
- 291g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.16m
- MSRP
- $449
MFRING - Samyang/RokinonAF
AF 85mm F1.4 FE
85mmF1.4- WT
- 568g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.90m
- MSRP
- $699
AFWR
