Samyang 85mm f1.4 AF

[hendrb01]

So I finally got a chance to try my new Samyang 85mm f1.4 AF for the Canon EOS EF system, While this definitely was NOT a controlled test. IE, it was not done a on a tripod and both the photograph and the subject (ME), were allowed to move around. They were not shot at the same shutter speed, and I did not test the Samyang at f1.8 which is the maximum aperture of the Canon lens. I am not impressed, the Samyang definitely appeared to not be as sharp and showed quite a bit of chromatic aberration. You be the judge!

Samyang 85mm f1.8 AF (Canon Mount) (ISO 100, 1/600 sec, f1.4)

Brent Tree Samyang 85mm.jpg (481.85 KiB) Viewed 17607 times

Pixel peeping.

Samyang 85mm f1.4.jpg (170.07 KiB) Viewed 17607 times

Notice the lack of sharpness of the rims of my glasses, and the pronounced chromatic aberration behind my ears?

Here is my good ol Canon EF85mm f1.8 (iso 100, 1.640 sec, f1.8)

Brent Tree Canon 85mm.jpg (666.13 KiB) Viewed 17607 times

Pixel peeping.

EF85 f1.8.jpg (196.38 KiB) Viewed 17607 times

Notice in this picture the improvement in sharpness of the rims of my glasses, and no chromatic aberration.

I really hope with more use of this lens that I will find this was just an off day, I really need to get out and shoot with it more though before I make a decision.

Thanks for reading,

[hendrb01]

Following up on my original post, I still have mixed feelings about this lens.

During our recent drive to the Gunsan Seawall, I could not get the Samyang 85mm f1.4 AF to lock focus at all! The lens would hunt, but just would not lock. I was not inside the lens's minimum focusing distance as it would do the same thing with distant objects. So we switched to the 50mm f1.2 lens for some portraits, then I mostly shot with my 16-35 f2.8, and Rokinon 14mm f2.8.

Brent_Seawall_bridge.jpg (462.83 KiB) Viewed 17561 times

(Canon EF50mm-f11.2)

School Bus 14mm.jpg (547.71 KiB) Viewed 17561 times

(Rokinon 14mm f2.8)

I then decided to try the Samyang 85mm again, and was able to get it to lock focus, and got some pretty sharp focus.

School Bus 85mm.jpg (509.33 KiB) Viewed 17561 times

(Samyang 85mm f1.4 - f1.4 @ 1/400)

We also got some pretty sharp pictures on our next photo outing.


The edge detail did suffer here a little bit, but the lighting was not the best, a tripod would have solved the problem.

School teacher Brent.jpg (580.22 KiB) Viewed 17561 times

(Samyang 85mm f1.4 AF f1.4 @ 1/125)

It did much better in better light.

Old man brent.jpg (527.98 KiB) Viewed 17561 times

(Samyang 85mm f1.4 AF (1.4 @160)

I am happy to report that the lens is not a wash! With the lack of sharpness my first time using the lens and it appearing to malfunction at its second chance to debut I am still on the fence. It could very well be operator error (Though I have never miscounted a lens before.). I am willing to give the lens a few more months before I give a review.