Some photos from a cheap 85/1.4 (Samyang)

[solar_sea]

All were taken on a fuji superia 200, 3 months over it's expiry date, using a Nikon FG and the said lens, developed & scaned at a local lab.

f/4 probably, from my office's window


f/1.4 or f/2, a shot of myself taken by a coworker, against strong backlight without compensation.


f/2.8, in bright sunlight


f/1.4, in mixed light (luminescent tubes + natural from outside)


another f/1.4, in same place


Bokeh test, night-time


It might not be the sharpest piece of glass, by for my 6mp dslr, and for consumer level films I believe it's a very decent low-cost alternative to the 85/1.4 of other brands.

 

[Makten]

It might not be the sharpest piece of glass, by for my 6mp dslr, and for consumer level films I believe it's a very decent low-cost alternative to the 85/1.4 of other brands.

It's much more than decent. It bests many of the known 85 mm lenses at wide apertures. Here's some wide open shots on Nikon D700...

The bokeh is just amazing, and the sharpness at f/1.4 stunning. If you shoot mostly wide open, this lens is better than the legendary Nikkor 85/1.4 "cream machine".

 

[raid]

What is the average cost these days for this lens?

 

[Makten]

What is the average cost these days for this lens?

Probably ~250-300 dollars. It goes under many different brand names, such as Samyang, Rokinon, Bower, Vivitar, Walimex and so on. They are all the same lens, manufactured by Samyang in Korea.

http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewtopic.php?id=14608

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Wow, its sharp and cheap and has NICE bokeh!

 

[raid]

I just read a lens report about this lens.It seems to be of high quality.

 

[semilog]

A review.

 

[sahe69]

I have to agree with Makten, as far as SLR MF 85/1.4 (for Nikon) are concerned, this lens is best bang for the buck there is. The one and only criticism I have is that that the aperture ring is a bit hard to reach with D700, with gloves on. (yeah it's around -20°C at the moment in Helsinki.)

P.S. By the way very nice pics Makten. Which focusing screen are you using with D700?

 

[kbg32]

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


Interesting.....

 

[raid]

I have a CZ 85/1.4 in Rollei QBM mount with broken aperture, so it is always open at 1.4. It has to do for me.

 

[Makten]

P.S. By the way very nice pics Makten. Which focusing screen are you using with D700?

I used the stock screen, but had to rely on the AF confirm at larger distances. Now I've just modified an F2 type J screen, but I haven't tried it with the Samyang yet. Maybe it's time today!

 

[PatrickT]

I am enjoying this lens VERY much on my 5D. Very sharp wide open with great bokeh. Here are some of my samples over the last month, all wide open:

I am VERY happy with this lens...especially for only $250....

 

[Neare]

Samyang is generally considered in the higher end of the non-prestige lens manufacturers.

 

[photobizzz]

I owned one of these in Pentax KA mount, it was branded Rokinon and I paid $259 new from cametacamera.com. It is very sharp, very nice bokeh, and priced right. I ended up trading it for a Zeiss Biometer but it is well worth the money.

 

[Arvay]

It's much more than decent. It bests many of the known 85 mm lenses at wide apertures. Here's some wide open shots on Nikon D700...

Looks quite "close" to Canon 85 1.2