Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2 / Rokinon MF 85mm F1.4 II

Sony E

Review

The Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2, also marketed as the Rokinon MF 85mm F1.4 II, is a prime lens designed for portraiture and artistic photography, particularly on Sony E-mount cameras. This updated version of the original MF 85mm F1.4 brings several improvements while retaining its predecessor's enjoyable characteristics.

Build Quality and Design

The lens features a robust metal construction that feels solid and durable in hand, making it a significant upgrade over typical budget lenses. The design is compact compared to many other 85mm offerings in the market, with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that many photographers will appreciate. The smooth focus ring provides a satisfying tactile feedback for manual focusing, which is crucial for achieving sharp results at wide apertures.

Optical Performance

With a maximum aperture of F1.4, the lens excels in low-light conditions and produces beautiful background blur, often referred to as "bokeh." The optical design includes 9 elements in 7 groups, which contributes to high-resolution image quality, especially at the lens's sweet spot around F2.8 to F4. At these apertures, the lens shows impressive sharpness and contrast, though wide open at F1.4, you might notice some softness that is common in fast lenses. The lens has minimal chromatic aberration, which is particularly advantageous for portrait photography.

Usability

As a fully manual focus lens, the Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2 requires a bit of practice to achieve precise focus, especially with moving subjects. This may not be the ideal choice for every photographer, but many enthusiasts delight in the creative control it offers. For those accustomed to manual operation, the focus peaking feature available on many Sony E-mount cameras greatly enhances the user experience.

Compatibility

Being designed specifically for Sony E mounts, it works beautifully with full-frame and APS-C cameras alike. While it is optimized for digital sensors, those shooting with film cameras or adapters will find it equally suitable due to its versatile focal length and aperture capabilities.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• High-quality build with a metal exterior
• Excellent optical performance with good sharpness and minimal aberration
• Beautiful bokeh thanks to the wide F1.4 aperture
• Compact design makes it easy to carry
• Great value for the price compared to other 85mm lenses

Cons

• Fully manual focus can be challenging for some users
• Slight softness at F1.4, requiring stopping down for maximum sharpness
• Lack of weather sealing

Verdict

The Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2 / Rokinon MF 85mm F1.4 II is an excellent choice for portrait photographers looking for a budget-friendly lens that doesn't skimp on quality. While its manual focus may not suit everyone, those willing to embrace its hands-on nature will be rewarded with stunning imagery. If you prioritize sharpness and aesthetics in your portraits and are comfortable with manual focusing, this lens will serve you remarkably well.