Vistilen AF 85mm F1.4 II

The Vistilen AF 85mm F1.4 II is a revised version of the brand's 85mm F1.4 portrait lens for Canon RF cameras. Vistilen calls the mount EFR and lists Canon EOS R bodies as compatible. It is a full-frame autofocus lens that adds more controls on the barrel and a lower weight compared with the first version, and it is sold in black, white and a two-tone Panda Edition.

Optical design

According to Vistilen, the optical construction has 15 elements in 11 groups, compared with 13 elements in 8 groups in the first AF 85mm F1.4. The diaphragm has 11 blades and closes down to F16. Vistilen says that the optics, together with a multi-layer coating, suppress flare, ghosting, purple fringing and chromatic dispersion and stay sharp at full aperture. These are manufacturer claims. The minimum focus distance is 0.8 m, closer than the 0.98 m of the first version.

Autofocus and handling

A built-in STM stepping motor drives the autofocus, which Vistilen describes as silent, and it supports eye and face detection with continuous tracking. The barrel carries an Fn custom button, an AF/MF switch and an aperture ring with a click/clickless switch and an aperture ring lock. This set of controls is the main difference from the simpler lenses of the range, for example the AF 85mm F1.8 SE II, which shows none of them.

Build and size

The filter thread is 77 mm. Vistilen gives 85 mm diameter and 110 mm length and about 653 g, which is 82 g lighter than the first AF 85mm F1.4 with its 735 g. The white and Panda editions come with two lens hoods, one black and one white, which can both be attached.

Where it fits

On RF the native counterpart is the Canon RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM, and the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 RF is another autofocus lens with the same aperture. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is smaller and has a stabilizer. Within the Vistilen range this lens is the more fully equipped alternative to the first AF 85mm F1.4, while the AF 85mm F1.8 SE II is the lighter one.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Aperture ring with click switch and lock, Fn button and AF/MF switch
• Lighter than the first AF 85mm F1.4 at about 653 g
• Closer minimum focus distance of 0.8 m
• 11 aperture blades and F1.4 maximum aperture

Cons

• Still a heavy lens compared with 85mm F1.8 designs
• No image stabilization in the lens
• More complex construction with 15 elements
• Compatibility with Canon RF is stated by Vistilen only

Verdict

The AF 85mm F1.4 II improves on the first version in weight, close focus and handling. It suits RF users who want an 85mm with a fast aperture and a real aperture ring with a clickless option, and who accept the weight of a large-aperture design.