Samyang Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II Lens for Sony E Review
The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 FE II offers pro-level background blur at a mid-range price. We dig into the data to see if its average autofocus is a fair trade-off.
The 30-Second Version
The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 FE II delivers stunning, creamy bokeh that punches way above its price. Autofocus is just okay and it lacks stabilization, but for portrait purists, it's an incredible value. Worth buying if background blur is your top priority.
Overview
The Samyang Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II is a portrait photographer's tool, plain and simple. It's built to do one thing exceptionally well: create beautiful, blurry backgrounds with that classic 85mm look.
For the price, you're getting a lot of glass. The f/1.4 aperture is huge, and the lens itself is surprisingly light at just over a pound. It's not trying to be a jack-of-all-trades, and that's okay.
Performance
The bokeh is the star here, landing in the 91st percentile in our database. That f/1.4 aperture lets in a ton of light and melts backgrounds into cream. Optical quality is solid in the 71st percentile, meaning sharpness is good, especially when you stop down a bit. The autofocus, however, is just average (46th percentile). It's fine for portraits, but don't expect Sony GM-level speed or tracking for fast-moving subjects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning bokeh quality that rivals much more expensive lenses. 91th
- Very lightweight for an f/1.4 lens, easy to carry all day. 88th
- The f/1.4 aperture is fantastic for low light and shallow depth of field. 84th
- Build quality feels solid and better than the price suggests. 82th
Cons
- Autofocus is merely okay and can hunt in low light. 5th
- No image stabilization, so you need steady hands or a fast shutter.
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it away from dust and rain.
- Minimum focus distance is pretty far, so it's not great for tight details.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 850 |
| Max Magnification | 1:8 |
Value & Pricing
At around $509, this lens is a steal if your main goal is portrait quality. You're getting 90th-percentile bokeh for half the price of a Sony GM or Sigma Art lens. The trade-offs are in the autofocus and missing features like stabilization, but for the core job of taking flattering photos of people, it delivers where it counts.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8, the Samyang gives you that extra bit of light gathering and background blur at f/1.4, but the Sony has faster, more reliable autofocus. Against the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, the Sigma is optically superior and built like a tank, but it's also heavier and costs several hundred dollars more. The Samyang sits in a sweet spot: more character than the Sony f/1.8, for less money and weight than the Sigma.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II Lens for Sony E | Meike Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Lens High | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 510 | 201 | 400 | 269 | 544 | 676 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Common Questions
Q: How good is the autofocus for video?
It's decent but not great. The linear STM motor is fairly quiet, but the AF speed and tracking are average, so manual focus is recommended for critical video work.
Q: Is this lens sharp wide open at f/1.4?
Sharpness is good in the center, but you'll see the best overall sharpness if you stop down to around f/2 or f/2.8, which is typical for fast primes.
Q: Can I use this on an APS-C Sony camera?
Yes, it'll work, but the field of view will be equivalent to about a 127mm lens, making it very tight for general use and better suited for distant portraits.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need reliable, fast autofocus for sports or wildlife. The AF just isn't built for that. Also, look elsewhere if you shoot in bad weather often, as the lack of sealing is a real limitation.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a portrait shooter on a budget who values beautiful bokeh above all else. It's perfect for studio work, outdoor sessions, or anyone who wants that pro look without the pro price tag. Just be ready to work with its autofocus quirks.