The new Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE lens promises sharp portrait performance at a budget-friendly price point that could shake up your lens buying decisions. At just $449, this lightweight option targets photographers who want quality without breaking the bank.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this thorough video puts the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE through rigorous testing on a demanding 61-megapixel Sony a7CR to see if it delivers on its promises. You'll discover that this plastic-bodied lens weighs only 272 grams but feels surprisingly solid without any concerning wobbles or build quality issues. The autofocus performance proves silent and accurate, though Frost reveals some notable quirks about its speed characteristics that vary depending on your focus mode settings. What's particularly interesting is how the lens includes forward-thinking features like a USB-C port for firmware updates and weather-sealing around the rear mount.
The real surprise comes when Frost tests the optical performance across different aperture settings and reveals some unexpected results about where this lens truly shines. While the center sharpness impresses right from the maximum f/1.8 aperture, the corner performance tells a different story that you'll want to understand before making your purchase decision. Frost demonstrates how stopping down to f/2.8 transforms the image quality dramatically, achieving what he calls "absolutely perfect" sharpness and contrast in the center. However, there's a significant caveat regarding close-up shooting that could impact your portrait work.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Lens Mount: Sony E (Full Frame)
- Minimum Focus Distance: 2.6' / 80 cm
- Weight: 0.6 lb / 272 g
- Filter Size: 62mm
- Optical Design: 9 Elements in 8 Groups
- Dimensions: ø 69.8 x L 71.4 mm
Focus breathing becomes quite noticeable when shooting video, which could be a dealbreaker for hybrid shooters. The lens also struggles with close-up work at wide apertures, requiring you to stop down significantly more than you might expect for sharp results. Frost's flare testing shows average performance against bright lights, though the included plastic hood helps mitigate some issues. The bokeh quality lands in "averagely soft" territory, with specular highlights that can appear somewhat edgy rather than creamy smooth. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
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