Samyang XP 85 mm f/1.2 review - Chromatic and spherical aberration

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Samyang XP 85 mm f/1.2

11 April 2017

Arkadiusz Olech

5. Chromatic and spherical aberration

Chromatic aberration

The Samyang 85 mm f/1.2 Premium has distinct problems with the longitudinal chromatic aberration. What’s more, that aberration stays visible even on stopping down the lens by 2 EV. It’s not good news. The rival Mitakon fared similarly at the maximum relative aperture but its reaction to stopping down was better – near f/2.5 it was practically free from that aberration.

Samyang XP 85 mm f/1.2 - Chromatic and spherical aberration

Let’s see now how the lens corrects the lateral chromatic aberration – an appropriate graph can be found below.

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It’s obvious that the level of aberration decreases swiftly with the stopping down of the aperture. As a result, near f/2.8 it is practically imperceptible. The highest values you see near the maximum relative aperture but even there they should be considered medium at most. We have no serious reservations in this category especially that the rival Mitakon fared even worse.

Canon 5D III, f/1.2	Canon 5D III, f/5.6

Spherical aberration

First photos of this chapter don’t show any distinct „focus shift” effect. Additionally the light spread in circles we created before and after the focus is similar. Both these facts mean the Samyang corrects spherical aberration quite well.

Mechanical vignetting, visible in front of and behind the focus, is an interesting effect. The f/1.2 aperture makes noticeable difficulties for this class of focal lengths. The truncation of the circle disappears only when you put the ring near the minimum focusing distance. In the middle of the scale and near the infinity that effect remains visible and makes itself felt when it comes to vignetting measurement – more details you can find in the appropriate chapter.