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Lens review

Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF

18 May 2009
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary


Pros:
  • Usable wide open,
  • Very little chromatic aberration
  • Practically zero distortion
  • Indetectible coma on the APS-C/DX matrix
  • Vignetting on the APS-C/DX satisfactory
  • Very high transmission
  • Decent quality of workmanship
  • Good price-quality ratio

Cons:
  • After stopping down performs considerably worse than competing brands
  • Performance against bright light could be better
  • ‘Soft’ corners at full frame


I can honestly say I am pleasantly surprised at the performance of the Samyang. If it cost 500 or 1000 $, I might have a few reasons to complain. At 299 $ I won’t say a word. It presents a very reasonable offer for less affluent portrait photographers. In such circumstances we can be understanding of the few inevitable discrepancies.




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Sample shots:

Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/1600 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.2 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/1000 sek., ISO 200
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.3 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/1600 sek., ISO 200
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.1 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 400
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 8.0 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.4 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/500 sek., ISO 200
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.2 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 200
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.1 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 800
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 9.5 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/400 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.5 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 800
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 9.2 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 800
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 9.4 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 6.0 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.6 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.4 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 7.1 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 8.3 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 85 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/200 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 6048x4032 pix, 8.9 MB
Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary Samyang 85 mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF  - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 85 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/1500 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.8 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/800 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.9 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 85 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/400 sek., ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.0 MB



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