Samyang Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2 Lens for Canon EF Review
The Samyang 85mm f/1.2 gives you pro-level background blur on a budget, but you'll have to live with its slow autofocus and basic build.
Overview
This is a classic portrait lens. It's an 85mm f/1.2 prime for Canon EF DSLRs, and that f/1.2 aperture is the whole story. It's built for one thing: throwing backgrounds into a creamy blur and pulling your subject into sharp focus.
You get a fast aperture for low light and a focal length that's flattering for faces. The optical design uses special glass to fight aberrations, and a coating helps with lens flare. But it's a specialist, not a generalist.
Performance
The f/1.2 aperture is the star. It lands in the 96th percentile, which means it's one of the fastest lenses you can buy. That gives you incredible background blur (bokeh is in the 86th percentile) and lets in a ton of light. The optical performance is decent but not class-leading, sitting around the 33rd percentile. Autofocus is middle-of-the-road at the 48th percentile, and there's no image stabilization. So you get amazing light gathering and bokeh, but you trade away some sharpness, speed, and convenience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The f/1.2 aperture creates stunning, creamy background blur. 96th
- Excellent for low-light shooting without a flash. 94th
- 85mm focal length is perfect for classic, flattering portraits. 74th
- The lens coatings do a good job controlling flare and ghosting. 69th
Cons
- No image stabilization, so you need steady hands or a fast shutter. 17th
- Autofocus is just okay and might hunt in low light.
- It's a heavy, bulky prime lens, not made for walking around.
- Build quality feels basic and it's not weather-sealed.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 7 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 1.0 kg / 2.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 86 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 800 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.7 |
Value & Pricing
At around $679, it's a lot of money. But for a dedicated portrait shooter on a Canon DSLR who craves that f/1.2 look, it's actually a relative bargain. Canon's own 85mm f/1.2L costs more than twice as much. You're paying for that massive aperture and the unique look it gives, and accepting some compromises elsewhere to get it.
vs Competition
Compared to a zoom like the Panasonic 14-140mm, this lens does one thing infinitely better but nothing else. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is smaller, cheaper, and more versatile for street or video, but it won't match the 85mm's portrait compression or bokeh. Against the Meike 55mm f/1.8, you're trading a more normal focal length and likely better AF for the 85mm's specific portrait magic and that extra stop of light. It's a tool for a specific job.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2 Lens for Canon EF | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | 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 | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 55mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 1048 | 281 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 422 |
| AF Type | - | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
Buy this if you shoot portraits on a Canon DSLR and you're obsessed with achieving the ultimate shallow depth-of-field look. The f/1.2 aperture is a special effect you can't get cheaper. But if you need a walk-around lens, shoot video, or want sharpness above all else, look at a 50mm f/1.8 or a standard zoom instead.