Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4 Review

The Samyang Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Series II is a classic portrait lens for Canon shooters. It's a simple, fast prime that's all about that beautiful, blurry background. You're getting a full-frame lens with a massive f/1.4 aperture at a price that's hard to ignore.

This lens is a specialist. Its bokeh quality lands in the 89th percentile, which means your portrait backgrounds will look creamy and smooth. The f/1.4 aperture is fantastic in low light. But the autofocus performance is just average, sitting at the 49th percentile. It's not the fastest or quietest, so it's less ideal for fast-moving subjects or serious video work where silent AF is key.

At around $299, this lens is a steal for what it does. You're getting pro-level bokeh and aperture performance for a fraction of the cost of a Canon L-series 85mm. You just have to accept the trade-offs in autofocus and features.

Compared to a zoom like the Panasonic 14-140mm, this lens is the opposite. The Samyang gives you vastly better image quality and background blur at 85mm, but zero versatility. Against other primes, like the Meike 55mm f/1.8, the Samyang offers a longer, more flattering focal length for portraits and a brighter aperture. But the Meike might have faster, quieter autofocus. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a wider option, better for environmental portraits, but the 85mm focal length is the classic for tight headshots.

Buy this if you're a portrait photographer on a budget who values beautiful blur over cutting-edge autofocus. It's perfect for studio work or controlled shoots where you have time to focus. Skip it if you need a walk-around lens, shoot fast action, or rely heavily on video autofocus.