Samyang 85mm f/1.8 Prima FE Evaluation: Inexpensive, Sharp, and Small

In Calgary, we’ve got an annual Eastern competition aptly named Omatsuri. This can be a a laugh tournament with a number of distributors, nice meals, and presentations of Eastern tradition. It’s additionally a very good checking out floor for the brand new Samyang 85mm f/1.8 P FE.

I took this compact full-frame portrait lens for a spin. At $450, the newest Samyang Prima lens guarantees very good optics in an inexpensive bundle. Then again, there may be a large number of stiff pageant on the earth of 85mm lenses and I used to be curious how the Samyang fares in opposition to an ocean of possible choices.

A man in a blue patterned jacket poses for a photo, smiling at the camera, while another man takes his picture. A woman in a long patterned dress and people sitting under tents are visible in the background at an outdoor event. — I attended the Eastern Pageant in Calgary and had a number of portrait alternatives.

A smiling man in a red shirt and sunglasses holds a brown bottle labeled with Japanese text and the number 14. He wears a patterned scarf around his neck and stands against a neutral background.

A young child with red hair in a bun smiles at the camera, wearing a light denim jacket. The background is colorful with teal and pink tones, giving a cheerful and playful atmosphere.

Samyang 85mm f/1.8 Prima FE Evaluation: How It Feels

Smartly, the very first thing this lens does is weigh subsequent to not anything to your digital camera bag. At best 9.6 oz (272 grams), the Samyang 85mm f1/.8 is ultra-compact and really handy to hold. The clear out threads are reduce for 62mm filters, and there’s a very fundamental hood that includes the lens. It has a pleasing guide concentration ring, however no longer a lot else.

A camera lens with a textured focus ring lies on its side on a grid-patterned surface, with a dark, blurred background. — The Samyang 85mm is a diminutive lens, with a simplistic design.

A camera lens lies on its side on a grid-patterned surface, with the rear glass element and electronic contacts visible. The lens cap labeled — The lens has a rubber gasket which additionally protects the USB-C port.

There may be an AF/MF selector transfer however no customizable buttons or exterior aperture ring. This lens does no longer function any symbol stabilization and has some weather-sealing included to give protection to it. Simplicity is essential right here, and the plastic construct of the 85mm lens does no less than stay the load all the way down to a minimal. With this kind of fundamental lens, I examined additional to peer if the picture high quality may just make up the variation.

A close-up of a camera lens showing its textured focus ring and a switch for selecting between auto focus (AF) and manual focus (MF), set against a dark, blurred background. — There isn’t a lot to set or keep an eye on at the Prima 85mm. You get a guide concentration ring and an autofocus selector transfer.

A close-up of a camera lens standing upright on a surface, with labels such as — The equipped hood is a fundamental plastic accent, however it works effective.

A close-up photo of a black camera lens labeled — It could be fundamental, however the Samyang 85mm packs an optical punch.

Samyang 85mm f/1.8 Prima FE Evaluation: How It Shoots

The Samyang 85mm is powered through a reasonably easy stepping motor, which helps to keep issues easy and quiet. I discovered the autofocus to be very correct and entirely suitable with the Sony a7RV I used for checking out. Focusing pace used to be, general, a relatively ponderous affair this is nevertheless completely appropriate for portrait and boulevard paintings.

A young girl with light-colored hair, wearing a floral-patterned outfit, looks at the camera and smiles slightly. The background is blurred, showing hanging clothes. The photo is in black and white.

Black and white portrait of a young person with short, dark hair, looking at the camera with a slight smile. The background is blurred, drawing focus to their face and expression.

A person in a patterned kimono aims a traditional Japanese bow, focusing intently. They wear glasses and a wrist guard, with tents blurred in the background.

Flare is easily managed with just a slight lack of distinction when taking pictures towards vivid gentle assets. There’s a little ghosting provide, however the lens does a excellent activity of controlling it. Bokeh could also be actually stunning for such an inexpensive lens, with a pleasing cat’s eye impact at f/1.8, and blank highlights unfastened from onion rings or cleaning soap bubbles. The focal point transitions easily from as regards to a ways, and backgrounds are pleasantly blurred. This lens has a phenomenal rendition of concentration past what its price ticket suggests.

A split image shows sunlight shining through tree leaves. The left side (f/1.8) has a bright, blurry sun and soft leaf edges. The right side (f/8) has a sharper sun and more defined leaf shapes. — The Samyang lens coatings do a excellent activity of stopping flare problems.

A man with short spiked hair smiles at the camera, wearing a blue patterned jacket over a black shirt. A camera strap is around his neck, and the background is softly blurred.

A vinyl record with a cover featuring a woman in a kimono stands on a black display stand near a turntable. Japanese text is visible on the album cover. The setup rests on a purple cloth.

Colorful traditional Japanese children's yukatas with floral and lantern patterns hang on a rack, displayed in a well-lit setting with soft, blurred lights in the background. — Bokeh is relatively great, with blank highlights and cushy backgrounds.

LoCA, or longitudinal chromatic aberration, is provide however minor. You get some colour fringing within the out-of-focus spaces, however the result’s simple to handle. Don’t use this lens for any concentration pulling, regardless that. The lens respiring is obnoxiously unhealthy. Your whole box of view adjustments dramatically as you concentration from as regards to a ways. Photographers almost definitely received’t thoughts an excessive amount of with this portrait lens, however video shooters shall be displeased.

Three arrows with white and brown fletching, purple bands, and white tips are positioned upright among several bows with wooden and black limbs, all closely arranged together. — You’ll be able to see a little bit little bit of CA color fringing right here, and the close-up sharpness wishes a tighter aperture to provide excellent element.

Black and white photo of a young man smiling and looking to the right, with soft lighting and a blurred background, creating a warm and candid atmosphere.

A man with a brown cap and a beard is smiling slightly at the camera. He is wearing a dark shirt and a backpack. The background is blurred.

This can be a very sharp lens, with superb central efficiency at f/1.8. Preventing down the lens introduced best minor advantages to the element. I additionally just like the nook sharpness at f/1.8, which I didn’t be expecting to peer. Preventing the lens down is helping relatively, however this optic is obviously made for taking pictures large open which is good to peer. Then again, if you’re that specialize in a minimal distance, the lens can get a little bit cushy. Preventing the lens down does assist, so believe this within the uncommon scenarios the place you are attempting to get as shut as imaginable.

Side-by-side camera test chart comparisons at f/1.8 (left) and f/4 (right), each showing a banknote, circular patterns, gray scales, and cyan/magenta color patches at the top. — Middle sharpness is superb during the body, even at f/1.8.

A comparison photo of two test charts, each with a Canadian one dollar bill and a focus chart. The left chart is labeled — Nook sharpness could also be actually excellent. The Prima 85mm is a detail-rich lens.

Close-up of several Japanese sword handles with decorative wrappings and intricate patterns, including floral and geometric designs, arranged vertically and held in a wooden rack.

Samyang 85mm f/1.8 Prima FE Evaluation: Delivers the Items With out Breaking the Financial institution

What a handy little lens, which occurs to be very sharp and renders stunning bokeh. I liked the light-weight really feel and optical efficiency, and the downsides are reasonably simple to paintings round. By means of all accounts, this lens must be a winner, however the actual factor here’s what else is to be had for the same worth.

The Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Professional is certainly one of my favourite portrait lenses with attention-grabbing persona at f/1.4, and razor-sharp effects during. Plus, you’re getting an f/1.4 most aperture for best $600. The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 is incessantly discovered for round $500, and is among the cleanest and sharpest lenses I’ve examined. Once more, you get two times as a lot gentle for more or less the similar worth. Granted, those f/1.4 lenses shall be heavier and bigger, however the Sirui best tops out at 19 oz, which is rarely prohibitive. Nonetheless, if you’re ok with a easy lens and wish to stay dimension and weight to an absolute minimal, the Samyang 85mm f/1.8 P FE delivers the products with out breaking the financial institution.

A busy indoor market or festival with many people browsing stalls decorated with paper lanterns. Booths display various goods, and children and adults interact in a lively, colorful atmosphere.

Three people sit on a bench, viewed from behind, facing a blurred crowd in an indoor arena. The image is in black and white, with two wearing caps and one in a hoodie.

Black and white photo of a city skyline with tall buildings and a prominent tower under a cloudy sky, trees and a river in the foreground.

Are There Choices?

The Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE is a smart lens and prices relatively extra at round $600. In a different way, believe possible choices from Viltrox and Sirui, which provide you with extra gentle and very good optical efficiency.

Will have to You Purchase It?

Sure. Up to the f/1.4 lenses would possibly make simpler sense, the Samyang 85mm f/1.8 is optically nice and a very good possibility for photographers who need the lightest possibility imaginable.