Samyang vs Rokinon 85mm f1.4. Suggestions Please

[fotugraphy]

hello,
Recently i have realized that i need buy a good sharp 85mm lens. So, I have shortlisted Samyang or Rokinon 85 f1.4 (fully manual lens). I'm aware that they sell the same lens just under different brand name but my question is both the companies use same coating and focus alignments too?

I'm also have rokinon 8mm f3.5 Fish Eye and i read that Samyang people are facing problem with Infinity focus as it is misaligned.

I will be using 85mm lens on Sony A99 (Full Frame Body) with focus peaking switched on.

Please suggest me which one should i buy? Samyang or Rokinon.

Thank You

[JR1]

why do you need an 85mm lens

I simply ask because I have never needed one, as any popular ZOOM includes this lens length

[Manfred M]

Raj - as it is the same lens, it really doesn't matter, so go for the best price. Samyang has several other "brands" it markets under including Bower, Vivitar, ProOptic (which is what my version of it is), etc. The only differences between the lenses is the nameplate; they are made on the same production line.

As this is a 100% manual lens, the infinity setting is against a hard stop. Check it out at the store, if you can. If not, that adjustment should be covered under the lens warranty. If the infinity setting is off, this is a manufacturing defect and should be easily fixed.

I have the f/2 105mm DC Nikkor which I love; great bokeh. I don't have an 85mm lens, and like the thought of one that is a couple of stops faster than my zoom might be of interest. Please let me know what your experience is with it.

[fotugraphy]

why do you need an 85mm lens

I simply ask because I have never needed one, as any popular ZOOM includes this lens length

I already have Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which is razor sharp on my full frame at F5.6 and at f2.8 it is not that sharp (just like many other similar zoom lenses). So, i wanted to have more shallow DOF with better creamy bokeh for my portraits and i checked reviews of 85mm and it is really sharp at f2.8.

and in worst case scenario of low light ... i can use it at f1.8 too

[fotugraphy]

Raj - as it is the same lens, it really doesn't matter, so go for the best price. Samyang has several other "brands" it markets under including Bower, Vivitar, ProOptic (which is what my version of it is), etc. The only differences between the lenses is the nameplate; they are made on the same production line.

As this is a 100% manual lens, the infinity setting is against a hard stop. Check it out at the store, if you can. If not, that adjustment should be covered under the lens warranty. If the infinity setting is off, this is a manufacturing defect and should be easily fixed.

I have the f/2 105mm DC Nikkor which I love; great bokeh. I don't have an 85mm lens, and like the thought of one that is a couple of stops faster than my zoom might be of interest. Please let me know what your experience is with it.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I'm from India and my friend will be bringing it from USA. So, i really cant check about the focus ring alignment but i will surely ask my friend about it. Focus peaking will be good enough to get eyes in focus with shallow DOF.

I have already done astro photography (star trails) with my fish eye and it went like a breeze

My friend has nikon 85mm f1.8 and it is cheap and sharp lens ( i have also seen results from it ).

I already have Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which is razor sharp on my full frame at F5.6 and at f2.8 it is not that sharp (just like many other similar zoom lenses). So, i wanted to have more shallow DOF with better creamy bokeh for my portraits and i checked reviews of 85mm and it is really sharp at f2.8.

and in worst case scenario of low light ... i can use it at f1.8 too

[dubaiphil]

why do you need an 85mm lens

I simply ask because I have never needed one, as any popular ZOOM includes this lens length

Back on song

Perhaps the requirement for f1.4 - f2.8?

Why go for a manual focus lens? Any consumer zoom upwards will focus for you?!?


I am pretty sure they are just straight rebrands of the same lens, with identical coatings - I owned a Samyang fisheye for a while in my DX days and it did the job

[fotugraphy]

Back on song

Perhaps the requirement for f1.4 - f2.8?

Why go for a manual focus lens? Any consumer zoom upwards will focus for you?!?


I am pretty sure they are just straight rebrands of the same lens, with identical coatings - I owned a Samyang fisheye for a while in my DX days and it did the job

It just my budget doesnt allow me to spend XXXX USD for 85mm f1.4 only for focus motor Yes, requirement is for f1.4 - f2.8