Is the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 the Budget Portrait Lens You Need?

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 has been turning heads for being such an affordable full frame autofocus portrait lens. With a sub-$500 early bird price and an included filter set, it’s positioned as a budget-friendly option for those looking for versatility without breaking the bank.

Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this detailed video explores the build quality, optical features, and autofocus performance of the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4. The lens’ compact design and aluminum alloy chassis create a solid first impression, though the lens hood feels somewhat less refined. Its lightweight build (1.3 lbs) makes it easy to handle, but some tolerance issues when mounting suggest room for improvement. Sirui includes thoughtful features like a de-clickable aperture ring for hybrid use and a USB-C port for firmware updates. The aperture, with its 15 rounded blades, offers smooth transitions and maintains circular highlights, adding to the lens’s appeal for portrait and video work.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 85mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
• Lens Mounts: Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Sony E
• Weight: 1.3 lb (570 g)
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Optical Design: 14 elements in 9 groups
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.79' (85.04 cm)
• Diaphragm Blades: 15

Image quality is a mixed bag. Abbott notes the lens excels in rendering beautiful, creamy bokeh, especially at mid-range distances, making it an excellent choice for portrait work. However, its sharpness and contrast are less impressive at close and infinity focus distances. Chromatic aberrations, especially lateral fringing, are more noticeable than expected, affecting fine details. While the lens performs well in reducing vignetting, the slight pincushion distortion may require minor corrections in post-processing.

Autofocus is powered by a stepping motor that performs well for both stills and video. Abbott demonstrates consistent focus tracking in real-world scenarios, including portraits and casual event photography. The focus is quick and quiet, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Video autofocus transitions are smooth, though some focus breathing is apparent. Sirui's inclusion of a black mist filter is a thoughtful touch, as it can add a cinematic softness to both video and portraits.

While not the sharpest option in its class, the Aurora stands out for its aesthetic rendering and affordability. This lens is particularly suited for those prioritizing artistic image qualities, such as soft bokeh and low-contrast effects, over pixel-perfect sharpness. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.