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    Samyang announces the AF 85mm f/1.4 for the RF mount

    By Updated:83 Comments3 Mins Read Third Party Lenses
    samyangaf85rf - Samyang announces the AF 85mm f/1.4 for the RF mount

    Samyang has unveiled a new autofocus lens for the RF in the AF 85mm f/1.4 prime lens.

    The AF 85mm f/1.4 RF appears to be the same optical design as the Sony FE version. This lens boasts 11 elements in 8 grounds with an extra-low dispersion element and 4 high refractive index elements which help to reduce chromatic aberrations and which have the added bonus of helping reduce the size of the lens design.

    Weather sealing is also present on this lens along with 9 aperture blades.

    Samyang says the new lens will begin shipping in June for $800 USD.

    Press Release:

    New York, New York – May 28, 2020 – ROKINON has announced its new AF 85mm F1.4 Full Frame Telephoto for Canon RF mount, a groundbreaking and inspired lens with true artistic image quality. It is the fourth RF model with the distinctive ROKINON pedigree. The AF 85mm F1.4 RF is arguably the best value, high performance and affordable AF portrait prime available, superbly suited for both amateurs and professionals.

    With advanced autofocusing technology, the versatile ROKINON AF 85mm F1.4 RF delivers breathtaking bokeh, impressive image quality and exceptional resolution. Its design incorporates a DLSM (Dual Linear Sonic Motor) that utilizes ultrasonic vibrations to provide fast and silent autofocus performance. Protocols developed specifically for a short telephoto lens precisely control the operation of the DLSM.

    The ROKINON AF 85mm F1.4 is a perfect match for Canon R mirrorless cameras. Specifically engineered with a shorter flange back length, the resulting reduction in length and weight enhances balance, portability, and user experience. It is a bright spot in the image capture sector, offering advanced still and video features in a superbly crafted package.

    The optical design of ROKINON's AF 85mm F1.4 RF incorporates special elements (one Extra Low Dispersion (ED) and four High Refractive Index (HRI) special elements.) with UMC coatings, a fast F1.4 maximum aperture, and a rounded nine blade diaphragm. Together, they maximize image quality and contrast even at wide open apertures with exceptionally smooth bokeh. With a ROKINON AF 85mm F1.4 RF lens, you can unleash your creative talents and produce pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds that convey a three dimensional perspective to your portraits.

    ROKINON autofocus lenses are loaded with features, and the new AF 85mm F1.4 RF is no exception. Weather sealing protects against dust, light rain and moisture. An AF/MF switch allows quick and easy shifting between auto-focus and full manual focus operation, and an internal focusing design eliminates changes in length. The non-rotating 72mm filter mount allows the use of polarizing and other filters that require precise positioning.

    The ROKINON AF 85mm F1.4 Canon RF lens includes a removable lens hood, reversible for easy storage, along with a soft lens pouch. Available from authorized ROKINON dealers in June with an MSRP of $799.

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    83 comments

    1. Finally! Thanks Samyang. Guess Canon was too busy making absurdly priced $3k lenses the past two years to bother with a consumer priced 85 RF that should have been out long ago. Now we just need a 50mm.
    2. Was waiting for this!! If the quality is the same as the Sony equivalent it’s an extremely high value lens!
      I hope I can test this out, since I got to test the 14mm!
    3. Wow! That is excellent value, so long as the AF is on par with the RF 85mm it’s looking like a bargain.

      It will be interesting to see how heavy it is too, let’s hope more third-party RF Mount lenses appear soon.
    4. If Samyang are jumping into the RF mount along with others, I think it is time for me to dump Fujifilm X and GFX and go all in on Canon. Fuji fans keep saying APS-C is the sweet spot, which in some ways, it is, but it really depends. For still life APS-C is way way behind, showing less detail and more noise as base ISO and in low light, the X can't focus and shows very soft results after ISO 6400. It has really great rolling shutter performance. It has nice small lenses, but none of them are inexpensive and most have poor focus rings and there is little uniformity between them in feel. And until right now and excepting the Zeiss Touit lenses, there have been no 100% compatible third party lenses.

      And Canon cameras are easier to use, and there are loads of great lenses already available thanks to adapters... Can't wait for the R6/5 announcements.
    5. Great, this makes the RF offering accessible to more people and thus the whole shift to RF bodies easier. However The lens needs to perform better than an old EF lens with an adapter, as otherwise its cheaper to use the older lens combinations.
    7. Don’t know if it’s a big deal, but if that’s the lens, it appears they won’t be taking advantage of control ring tech? Wonder if this announcement will expedite a Canon 85 1.4 or 1.8 non-L?
    9. Wonder if this announcement will expedite a Canon 85 1.4 or 1.8 non-L?

      I would be surprised if Canon wouldn't convert some of the popular consumer primes to RF.

      The 85mm f/1.8 and 135mm f/2.0L are good performers, profitable enough to stay in manufacturing, why not refresh the lens (the electronics, if not the optics) for RF mount?
    10. As someone who doesn't really use primes that often and can't justify the purchase of Canon's pro offerings, these fast 3rd party primes at a fraction of the cost of the "L" equivalents always tempt me.

      It does though highlight the fact that besides the 35mm Canon hasn't offered another consumer primes for RF. I'm sure they are in the works but with the RP having already been on the market for a year prior to the whole covid situation, would have been nice to see a few already.
    11. I would be surprised if Canon wouldn't convert some of the popular consumer primes to RF.

      The 85mm f/1.8 and 135mm f/2.0L are good performers, profitable enough to stay in manufacturing, why not refresh the lens (the electronics, if not the optics) for RF mount?

      I doubt Canon will do that because they need to charge more for lenses in this shrinking market. Sigma on the other hand...
    12. Don’t know if it’s a big deal, but if that’s the lens, it appears they won’t be taking advantage of control ring tech? Wonder if this announcement will expedite a Canon 85 1.4 or 1.8 non-L?
      Canon doesn't jump when others say the word. They have their own timelines and paths.
    13. I doubt Canon will do that because they need to charge more for lenses in this shrinking market. Sigma on the other hand...

      Canon makes a profit on the EF 85mm f/1.8 for $350, or the lens would have been discontinued. Its good business practice to keep making profitable products. Converting the EF 85mm f/1.8 could be just adding 24mm to the barrel, and updating the electronics. Why not make it for $500? Because "they need to charge more", but somehow Sigma doesn't?
    14. I have the Canon 85 1.8, and (my copy at least) is not a favorite lens. Quality is not great unless I stop down to 2.8, and not having IS means shutter speed must be higher - at least for my now-66-year-old hands. So, I'll wait to see how the rumored Canon RF non-L version with IS compares to this...
    15. This is huge news. The Sony version of this lens is amazing with only very limited chromatic aberrations and slight pincushion distortion (which is actually slimming and positive for portraits). There is the issue of flair, but that can be used artistically in portrait photography. All in all, this is a strong buy for anyone who can’t afford the $3k 1.2 lens from canon.
    18. Great, this makes the RF offering accessible to more people and thus the whole shift to RF bodies easier. However The lens needs to perform better than an old EF lens with an adapter, as otherwise its cheaper to use the older lens combinations.

      Except that there are some people who simply won't use an adapter, not even one that's basically an extension tube, optically/electronically speaking.

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