Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II
Launch MSRP
$599- Weight
- 509g
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Min focus
- 0.85m
- Max mag.
- 0.12×
- Formula
- 11E / 8G
- Released
- 2022
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x ED
- 4x HR
- Ultra Multi Coating (UMC)
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 509g
- ⌀ × length
- 83.4 × 99.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.85m
- Max magnification
- 0.12× (1:8.3)
Optical character
The second-generation 85/1.4 keeps the original's 11-element optical layout but puts it in a lighter 509g body with a smaller 72mm filter and replaces the old sonic motor with a linear STM. Samyang deliberately uses no aspherical elements, so specular highlights stay free of onion-ring texture.
It adds a focus-hold button, a custom switch that can turn the focus ring into a silent aperture control, and sealing at seven points. The result is a portrait lens with gentle, smooth rendering that suits both stills and video.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found centre sharpness good wide open and excellent from f/2, with corners catching up by f/2.8. Bokeh is consistently praised as smooth and clean, while longitudinal CA and vignetting at f/1.4 are similar to the first version because the optics are largely carried over.
AF is quicker, quieter and more dependable with Eye AF than the original, though it still trails Sony's 85mm GM II and Sigma's 85 DG DN for fast tracking. Low focus breathing makes it a good video lens.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the weight drop, the clean bokeh and the extra controls, and many use it as a lightweight wedding and event portrait lens. Video shooters value the quiet motor and low breathing.
Complaints include some purple fringing on backlit edges at f/1.4, occasional AF hesitation in dim venues, and that it is still a fairly long lens at 99.5mm.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Smooth bokeh with no aspherical onion rings
- +509g, lighter than most 85/1.4s for E
- +Quiet linear STM, low focus breathing
- +Weather sealed with focus-hold button
- +72mm filter
Weaknesses
- −Longitudinal CA at f/1.4
- −AF behind first-party 85s for fast action
- −0.85m minimum focus
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.8
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.5
- Flare Resistance
- 7.7
- Build / Sealing
- 8.3
- Value / Size
- 8.7
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/16 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 1x ED · 4x HR · Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear STM |
| Minimum focus | 0.85m |
| Max magnification | 0.12× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 509g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 83.4 × 99.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀72mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Launch MSRP | $599 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
- lksamyang.com/en/about/notice-view.php
- rokinon.com/products/85mm-f1-4-af-series-ii-full-frame-telephoto-sony-e
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 85mm F1.4 FE II vs AF 85mm F1.8
- VSAF 85mm F1.4 FE II vs 85mm f/5.6 2X Ultra Macro APO
- VSAF 85mm F1.4 FE II vs 85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC
- 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/Rokinon
85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC
85mmF1.4- WT
- 570g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 1.10m
- MSRP
- $299
MFRING
