Samyang 85mm AF F/1.4 EF Announced, Another Canon Auto Focus Prime Lens

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by Adam PlowdenJune 19^th, 2018

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The new Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF drives the EF mount auto focus lens range forward with a fast aperture and weather sealing.

Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF Lens mount and side profile.

The latest lens to come from Samyang expands their current Canon EF with auto focus range; the AF 85mm F/1.4 EF promises both fast and accurate auto focusing with a dual type Linear Supersonic Motor, and a smooth bokeh with the wide F/1.4 aperture. The prime lens is considerably lighter than other 85mm prime lenses at 485g, and includes weather sealing for shooting in a variety of wet or dusty environments.

An 85mm lens is a staple for achieving portrait style framing, or using the telephoto range to create a cinematic depth of field. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 90cm (35.4 inches), and to reduce unwanted abberations and flaring, Ultra Multi Coating has been applied to the lens elements. That’s unfortunate because it’s quite a long minimum focus distance, but unfortunately rather normal for 85mm prime lenses.

The second of many lenses to come?

Samyang AF lenses for EF mount.

Samyang appear to be focusing heavily on their auto focus lens range, with this new addition joining the AF 14mm F/2.8 EF. We should expect further expansion into this line of lenses in the future, just as the lens manufacturer has done with their E-mount auto focus lenses.

Here are the specifications of the Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF lens:

• Maximum aperture of F/1.4.
• Minimum aperture of F/16.
• 9 aperture blades.
• 9 elements in 7 groups, one Hybrid ASP lens.
• Minimum focus distance of 90cm (35.4 inches).
• Ultra Multi Coating for reduced chromatic abberation and flares.
• Weather sealing.
• Dual type LSM (Linear Supersonic Motor) auto focus.
• 77mm filter size.
• Weighing 485g and 7.2cm in length.

Performance vs. Affordability

When looking at the specifications and what Samyang promises the lens will deliver, it would be hard to not choose this lens over the nearest EF prime lens (without IS) in terms of affordability; the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM ART, which is more than double the weight and a few hundred dollars more expensive. The performance chart that Samyang have produced suggests that the lens performs very well in the centre of the image, and at F/8 (not ideal for a wonderful creamy bokeh), but the edge quality drop off is quite significant wide open. How this lens holds up against it’s competitors, we shall see.

Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF Lens Chart

From the outset, the Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF appears to be an ideal mid-range lens choice for shooting with a cinematic depth of field on a budget, the added bonus of auto focus could pair very well with the Canon Cinema Cameras too. The lens will be available to purchase from July.

Are you curious about the Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 EF and want to try it out? Let us know in the comments.