The Korean company Samyang launched earlier today a significant update to one of its main telephoto lenses – the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II. The new model brings with it a series of significant improvements that will make it a significant competitor in the slot of portrait lenses for Sony cameras.
What’s new in the AF 85mm F1.4 FE II?
Samyang has recently been in a race to update a series of existing lenses and launch new lenses with new technologies (with an emphasis on the company’s new focus motors). Earlier this year the company launched the updated AF 35MM F/1.4 FE II lens (a second version of the company’s previous 35mm lens) and a year before that we saw the AF 50mm F1.4 II lens which we are currently reviewing In addition to all of these, last February the company launched the AF 135mm f/1.8 FE, which we compared in a comprehensive review to the equivalent Sony with extremely positive results.
So what’s new as mentioned in the AF 85mm F1.4 FE II launched today? The new model basically aligns with the design and features of all those lenses we have mentioned so far with a new design, control buttons, and especially an updated focus motor. There are also some changes in the optical design (although the number of elements and groups has not changed).
Here are the main points that Samyang chose to point out in relation to the new lens:
- A smaller and lighter structure than the previous generation (only 509 grams compared to 568 grams – lighter in the category).
- Improved bokeh and high image quality (of course these will have to be examined later in independent tests).
- A fast and quiet focus motor that is also adapted to video (STM type).
- Improved control – including a costum switch and a Focus hold button (both programmable).
- Improvement in the field of breathing (breathing) – especially important for videographers.
Samyang’s new AF 85mm F1.4 FE II lens
Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II – technical data
Here are the main features of Samyang’s new AF 35MM F/1.4 FE II lens:
- 85mm lens, f/1.4 aperture with FF cover.
- An optical structure that includes 11 elements in 9 groups including 4 HR type elements and an ED element.
- Quiet Linear STM focus motor adapted to work in video as well.
- 9 aperture blades.
- Protection against water/dust.
- Minimum focus distance 85 cm (magnification ratio: 1:8.3).
- Sony E mount.
- Filter diameter: 72 mm.
- Weight 509 grams.
price and availability
The expected price in Israel as told to us by the importer will be NIS 2650 including a 3-year warranty and a docking station (for orders until August 30) and the first lenses are expected to arrive in Israel at the beginning of August.
We are expected to examine the lens as soon as it arrives in Israel and will bring you our findings later.
First reviews from around the web
At this point, not too many reviews of the AF 85mm F1.4 FE II lens have been published, and even those that have been published do not provide particularly professional comparisons, but you can at least get an impression of the lens and the experience of the reviewers with it:
Pav SZ with the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE II lens
Alyssa and-Peter Zalabai
HR Images on the lens
Samyang official video
Ido Gnot Ido Gnot is the editor and founder of the Megapixel photography website. He has been covering technology news since the late 1990s and has written and edited for a number of leading international magazines. He has been involved in the field of photography since 2009. Ido is also a co-founder of the production company Shooteat.co.il which is engaged in creating visual content for commercial companies.