Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AE UMC

It's a wonderful optic. If you can live with mf you'll love it. Razor, and I do mean razor, sharp wide open with dreamy bokeh.
 
After being impressed with my first manual lens on an electronic camera, a Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 on MFT, I was thinking about one of these... but I've (probably) decided that 85mm is probably a bit long for me on APS-C.

If going for an 85mm I think I'd go for the Siggy anyway (I have their 50mm f1.4) as although it's much more expensive the bokeh seems to look better and that's a massive thing in a lens like this, IMVHO, and if buying the Samyang I think I'd probably always have a nagging feeling that I should have got what is arguably the segment leader at the moment, the Siggy.
 
woof woof said:
After being impressed with my first manual lens on an electronic camera, a Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 on MFT, I was thinking about one of these... but I've (probably) decided that 85mm is probably a bit long for me on APS-C.

If going for an 85mm I think I'd go for the Siggy anyway (I have their 50mm f1.4) as although it's much more expensive the bokeh seems to look better and that's a massive thing in a lens like this, IMVHO, and if buying the Samyang I think I'd probably always have a nagging feeling that I should have got what is arguably the segment leader at the moment, the Siggy.
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The Sigma is a great lens, but the Samyang is definitely sharper wide open. I'd say the quality of the bokeh is arguably at least as good.
 
woof woof said:
After being impressed with my first manual lens on an electronic camera, a Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 on MFT, I was thinking about one of these... but I've (probably) decided that 85mm is probably a bit long for me on APS-C.

If going for an 85mm I think I'd go for the Siggy anyway (I have their 50mm f1.4) as although it's much more expensive the bokeh seems to look better and that's a massive thing in a lens like this, IMVHO, and if buying the Samyang I think I'd probably always have a nagging feeling that I should have got what is arguably the segment leader at the moment, the Siggy.
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But Sigma is £700 new.
And I do have 50mm 1.8, using it on D300 but will be going to FX in near future. Don't want to spend on upgrading to 50mm 1.4 or Sigma 85mm till I get FX:shake:
 
The23rdman said:
The Sigma is a great lens, but the Samyang is definitely sharper wide open. I'd say the quality of the bokeh is arguably at least as good.
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Looking at examples I'd say that the Samyang gets angular at wider apertures and for me bokeh looks better when rounded rather than angular.
 
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raj_kemp said:
But Sigma is £700 new.
And I do have 50mm 1.8, using it on D300 but will be going to FX in near future. Don't want to spend on upgrading to 50mm 1.4 or Sigma 85mm till I get FX:shake:
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Yes that price difference does sway opinion towards rthe Samyang and if it wasn't for that angular bokeh I'd be a fan but if I personally bought the Samyang everytime I looked at that angular bokeh I'd be kicking myself for not digging deeper into my pockets for something smoother as for me personally the reason for a lens like this is to use the wider apertures and if that bokeh leaves a bad taste in the mouth a f2.8 macro of about the same length might be a better and more flexible buy.

The Sanyang does make a lot of sense at an attractive price though.
 
I bought my Samyang from UK digital (although it was about £179 when I got it) and although the picture is the old lens, it was the newer AE version that was sent.

Cracking lens, sharper than anything Ive ever used wide open.
 
Looks amazing! I've thought to maybe pick up a 85mm 1.8 but now looking at this, it's tempting me!
 
TCR4x4 said:
I bought my Samyang from UK digital (although it was about £179 when I got it) and although the picture is the old lens, it was the newer AE version that was sent.

Cracking lens, sharper than anything Ive ever used wide open.
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Thanks for clearing that..:thumbs:
 
Another vote for the Samyang here. It is stunning wide open. you can get 4 of the Samyangs for the price of the Siggy really for the AF. I would not agree the Sigma has smoother bokeh but that is to my eye. I think for the price the Samyang is the logical choice.

Lesser name brands seem to be taboo here, I personally enjoy the quality at a price I can afford.
 
Charlatan said:
I would not agree the Sigma has smoother bokeh but that is to my eye. I think for the price the Samyang is the logical choice.
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It's the angular nature that puts me off. There are lots of examples on line. Here's one...

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/483-samyang_85_14_5d?start=1

To me the angular nature appears earlier and is a product of the shape of the blades. To me that would matter but I am in the happy position to be able to spend as much as I want and my conscience will allow. More sensible people will choose the Samyang 9/10 against the Siggy and I can see why but I personally would go for smother, rounder bokeh.
 
woof woof said:
It's the angular nature that puts me off. There are lots of examples on line. Here's one...

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/483-samyang_85_14_5d?start=1

To me the angular nature appears earlier and is a product of the shape of the blades. To me that would matter but I am in the happy position to be able to spend as much as I want and my conscience will allow. More sensible people will choose the Samyang 9/10 against the Siggy and I can see why but I personally would go for smother, rounder bokeh.
Click to expand...

That is a very good link. In my usage of the lens it is not something that has hampered or hindered (can't say ive noticed) me but I shoot for pleasure. If funds allowed I would go with a AF version but at 4 times the price I cannot justify it. If the photography is is more important than budget, I think you always be annoyed at the angular bokeh and would be looking for it.

I just wish Samyang done a wider range of lenses so I could get more bargains! :naughty:
 
Charlatan said:
That is a very good link. In my usage of the lens it is not something that has hampered or hindered (can't say ive noticed) me but I shoot for pleasure. If funds allowed I would go with a AF version but at 4 times the price I cannot justify it. If the photography is is more important than budget, I think you always be annoyed at the angular bokeh and would be looking for it.

I just wish Samyang done a wider range of lenses so I could get more bargains! :naughty:
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LOL., may be Manual Focus 24-70 f2.8 :cuckoo:
 
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