Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2

Canon EF

Review

The Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 is a beautiful piece of glass that caters to photographers who appreciate the art of manual focus. With its impressive f/1.2 aperture, this lens is designed to deliver stunning images, particularly in portraiture and low-light scenarios. The build quality is exceptional, crafted from robust materials that instill a sense of dependability and luxury.

When it comes to aesthetics, the lens features a sleek design with a focus ring that is both ergonomic and smooth. The manual focus experience here is truly enjoyable; the focus throw is long enough to allow precise adjustments, making it easier to nail that critical focus point, especially with such a shallow depth of field. The 85mm focal length is perfect for portraits, providing flattering compression without distorting facial features.

Image quality is where this lens shines remarkably. Thanks to its fast aperture, the Samyang 85mm f/1.2 can create beautiful bokeh, isolating subjects with smooth, creamy background blur that many photographers crave. At wide-open apertures, it exhibits sharpness that is commendable, particularly in the center of the frame. Out-of-focus areas remain pleasing to the eye, making it ideal for dreamy portraits or artistic shots.

However, shooting at f/1.2 requires careful attention to focus, and inexperienced users may struggle to achieve optimal sharpness across the frame. As a manual focus lens, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer the convenience and speed of autofocus, especially in dynamic situations such as events or street photography. Additionally, there’s a noticeable amount of chromatic aberration that can occur, especially in high-contrast situations, although this can generally be corrected in post-processing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality and aesthetics.
• Smooth manual focus experience with a long focus throw.
• Impressively fast f/1.2 aperture for low-light performance.
• Beautiful bokeh that enhances portrait photography.
• Sharp center performance at wide apertures.

Cons

• Manual focus may not appeal to all users; autofocus would be missed in action shots.
• Potential for chromatic aberration in certain lighting conditions.
• Requires careful focusing to ensure sharp images at shallower depths of field.

Verdict

The Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 is a standout choice for photographers who enjoy manual focus and require a lens capable of exceptional image quality. While it is not without its quirks, the advantages it offers in terms of bokeh and sharpness make it a solid investment for serious portrait photographers. If you're comfortable working with manual focus and appreciate the aesthetic qualities of a fast prime lens, this could be a perfect addition to your Canon EF mount kit.