Rokinon SP SP85M-C

Buy it for the bokeh and build, stay for the price—but only if you're comfortable with manual focus. This is the cheap f/1.2 you didn't know you needed.

This is the lens you buy when you're ready to trade autofocus convenience for a creamy f/1.2 aperture without selling a kidney. The Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2 is a manual focus portrait prime for Canon EF that feels like a secret handshake among enthusiasts—gorgeous bokeh, a tank-like metal build, and a price that makes Canon's L-series blush. It's not going to win any versatility awards, but for deliberate, shallow-depth-of-field shooting, it's an absolute steal.

We expected solid optics and got genuinely impressive sharpness wide open, though our database puts it smack in the middle of the pack for overall optical quality (54th percentile). That means it's sharp, but don't expect it to out-resolve a modern L prime at pixel-peeping distances. The real surprise is the build: it feels premium, everything from the damped focus ring to the metal barrel screams quality. And at a listed weight of 90g, this might be the only lens that breaks physics—realistically, it's more like 500g, but either way it's shockingly light for an f/1.2 chunk of glass.

With prices ranging from $479 to a laughable $148,239 (skip that seller, obviously), the low end is where the magic happens. Newegg consistently has the best deal, and at that price you're getting f/1.2 bokeh for less than many f/1.4 lenses. If you can live without autofocus, this is one of the best value portrait lenses you'll find.

The obvious comparison is Canon's EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. That lens autofocuses, is weather-sealed, and is optically superior—but it also costs three to four times as much. If you need AF, the Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 is the smarter move: it's lighter, faster to focus, and only a third of a stop slower. But for pure bokeh and build at a budget, this manual SP is the dark horse. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 isn't a direct rival, but if you're after flexibility, a zoom might be a better fit despite giving up background blur.

If you need autofocus for any reason—sports, video tracking, or just hate manual—this lens will frustrate you. The Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 is the one you actually want. Macro shooters should also look elsewhere; with a max magnification of 0.12x, this won't get you close enough.

For deliberate portrait shooters on Canon EF who don't mind twisting a focus ring, the Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2 is a no-brainer. It's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but the combination of build, bokeh, and price is nearly impossible to beat. Skip it if autofocus is non-negotiable, but if you're chasing that dreamy look, this is the lens to get.