Samyang Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Series II Lens for Fujifilm X Review
The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 delivers stunning portrait quality for a fraction of the cost of autofocus lenses. You just have to focus it yourself.
The 30-Second Version
The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 delivers pro-level bokeh and low-light performance for a budget price. The catch? It's manual focus only. If you can live with that, it's a fantastic portrait lens for the money.
Overview
The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Series II is a manual focus portrait lens built for one thing: making people look amazing. With an f/1.4 aperture that lands in the 89th percentile for brightness, it's designed to blur backgrounds into oblivion and suck in light like a vacuum.
It's a specialist, not a generalist. You get weather sealing and a solid build, but no autofocus or stabilization. This lens is for photographers who want to slow down and control every shot, not for chasing kids or sports.
Performance
The optical performance is where this lens shines. Bokeh quality scores in the 92nd percentile, so those creamy, smooth backgrounds are the real deal. Sharpness is solid in the center, especially when you stop down a bit from wide open. But it's a manual focus lens on a system without great focus aids, so hitting perfect focus at f/1.4 takes practice and a steady hand. There's no stabilization either, so you'll need good light or a fast shutter speed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning, creamy bokeh that makes subjects pop. 91th
- Bright f/1.4 aperture excels in low light. 88th
- Weather-sealed construction feels durable. 79th
- Great value for the optical quality you get. 70th
Cons
- Manual focus only, which can be tricky on Fujifilm bodies. 21th
- No image stabilization at all.
- It's heavy and can feel front-heavy on smaller cameras.
- The aperture ring is reportedly easy to bump accidentally.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Coating | UMC |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Fujifilm X Mount |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Value & Pricing
For around $300, the optical performance is a steal. You're getting bokeh and low-light capability that competes with lenses twice the price. The catch is you're trading autofocus and stabilization for that price. If you're okay with manual focus, the value proposition is very strong. If you need autofocus, you'll need to spend more.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, it's a classic trade-off. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is cheaper and has autofocus, but it's a wider focal length and won't give you the same flattering compression for portraits. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is a closer match on paper with autofocus, but it's a different focal length and often more expensive. This Rokinon gives you better bokeh and a brighter aperture than both, but you have to focus it yourself. It's a purist's choice.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Series II Lens for Fujifilm X | Meike Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame AF STM Lens Standard | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | 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 | Sigma Sigma Contemporary Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 50mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 16-300mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 593 | 301 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 615 |
| AF Type | - | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 good for video?
It can be, but it's a challenge. The manual focus is smooth, which is great for video, but the lack of stabilization and autofocus means you'll need a gimbal or very steady hands for the best results.
Q: What's the equivalent focal length on my Fujifilm APS-C camera?
On a Fujifilm X-series camera, the 85mm lens gives you a field of view similar to a 127mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it a short telephoto perfect for headshots and portraits.
Q: How's the build quality?
It's solid. The build scores in the 77th percentile in our database, and it includes weather sealing, which is rare at this price point. It just feels a bit dense for its size.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this lens if you need autofocus for anything. That means sports, wildlife, or candid family photography where moments are fleeting. Also, if you shoot a lot of handheld video, the lack of stabilization will be a constant headache. Look for a Viltrox or Fujifilm AF lens instead.
Verdict
Buy this lens if you shoot portraits, have time to focus manually, and want incredible background separation without breaking the bank. It's perfect for studio work, controlled outdoor sessions, or anyone who enjoys the tactile process of photography. Just don't expect it to keep up with fast-moving subjects.