Sony KIPON Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 Mark III Lens (Sony E) Review
The Sony KIPON Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 creates the creamiest bokeh you can get, but it's a heavy, manual-focus-only luxury. For $1280, you need to really want that one specific look.
Overview
The Sony KIPON Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 Mark III is a lens with one very specific job. It's built to give you the absolute brightest, creamiest bokeh possible on an APS-C camera, turning your Sony E-mount into a low-light portrait machine. Forget autofocus or weather sealing. This is a heavy, manual-focus-only chunk of glass that's all about that dreamy, wide-open look.
Performance
At f/0.85, this lens is in the 100th percentile for aperture. That means it lets in a crazy amount of light, and the bokeh is ridiculously smooth, scoring in the 99th percentile. But you trade a lot for that. The manual focus is slow, the minimum focus distance is a long 75cm, and the optical sharpness is just okay, landing in the 66th percentile. It's a one-trick pony, but that one trick is spectacular.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (100th percentile) 100th
- Strong bokeh (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong optical (66th percentile) 71th
Cons
- Below average build (16th percentile) 15th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 40 |
| Focal Length Max | 40 |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 8 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/0.85 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 10 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 1.1 kg / 2.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 750 |
| Max Magnification | 1:20 |
Value & Pricing
At $1280, this lens is a tough sell for most people. You're paying a premium for that f/0.85 aperture and the unique rendering. For the same money, you could get two or three fantastic autofocus primes that are sharper, lighter, and more versatile. This is a luxury item for a photographer who already has the basics covered and wants a specific, artistic tool.
vs Competition
Look at the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. It's a fraction of the price, has autofocus, and is way smaller. You lose that magical f/0.85 look, but you gain a lens you'll actually carry everywhere. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is another option. It's full-frame, has AF, and is much more versatile for video. The Ibelux makes you work for its look, while these others get out of your way.
| Spec | Sony KIPON Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 Mark III Lens (Sony E) | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | 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 | 40mm | 55mm | 35mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/0.85 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1134 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 544 | 676 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this lens if you're a portrait specialist with a Sony APS-C camera and you crave that ultimate, creamy, dreamy bokeh above all else. You need to be okay with manual focus and a heavy setup. For everyone else—especially travelers or hybrid shooters—the trade-offs are too big. Grab a Viltrox or Meike instead and save your back and your wallet.