Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 RF Review (on Canon EOS R)

De.Light Photo reviewed the Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 RF, a manual lens for the Canon EOS R system.

From his conclusion:

After first mixed feelings: I am pretty excited about the lens. In terms of the results you get from this lens: it is just wow!!! Very decent images, excellent image quality – if you know how to use the lens. And in terms of useability (nice buttery manual focusing) and weather sealing it is really remarkable.

For whom is this lens for?

– It is made for owners of the R-Mount cameras – but the EF version will show similar results.

– Everybody who likes a lightweight high performance lens.

– When to take the RF Mount version instead of the EF mount? This is a very good question. For my taste: if you have decided to got with the R-Mount and/or you do discontinue with EF Mount: go for it. It is lighter and easier to handle.

– It is more a lens for enthusiasts, for people who like to shoot manual focus.

– But manual focus is so much fun to use on the Canon mirrorless cameras….

But the lens has a bit of weaknesses too:

– It is not native RF: I guess a lens designed for the 54mm bajonett diameter and the short flange distance can be even smaller and lighter

– I miss an EXIF chip – this would be even better

– The minimum focal distance: the 1.1m minimum focal distance is a sad thing. There announcement to bring this value down to 1 m will make it a bit better. I would prefer it much shorter, even shorter than the usual 85 mm…

– Not a real weakness but a wish to the designers @ Samyang: instead of a color mark please but something you can feel that you can mount the lens on the body without looking at it….

But if I look at the lens at a glance:  I give the lens a highly recommended!!!

De.Light Photo’s review of the Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 RF comes wth a huge set of sample photos.