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Archive 2019 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Enri
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p.5 #1 · p.5 #1 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Zony 55_Best corner @4.0_ Crop 100%

Dec 15, 2019 at 10:38 AM

abadger
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p.5 #2 · p.5 #2 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Enri wrote:
Samyang 85_Center @ 2.8_Crop 100%

Honestly this would be disappointing to me from the lens if it is the RAW output at 100%. It almost looks like the camera is applying mid level noise reduction when outputting jpg. Even so it is below expectation for center sharpness for this lens.

Edit: Adding cropped example. One thing I forgot also is that when we post images here it sort of does go to default compression automatically. So even this crop example I am providing does not show proper sharpness as it would straight from the camera. That is just the reality of posting in these forums. That being said, I still do notice unusual lack of sharpness from your cropped landscape example.

Actual link if you want to view it with google photos viewer:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zvAsCP7N9kuy3sx18

Uncropped for comparison:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JehLFecxKU8G77to8

Dec 15, 2019 at 07:59 PM

Enri
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p.5 #3 · p.5 #3 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Thank you Adam, that's also my feeling.

Dec 16, 2019 at 05:05 AM

milkod2001
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p.5 #4 · p.5 #4 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

abadger wrote:
Honestly this would be disappointing to me from the lens if it is the RAW output at 100%. It almost looks like the camera is applying mid level noise reduction when outputting jpg. Even so it is below expectation for center sharpness for this lens.

Edit: Adding cropped example. One thing I forgot also is that when we post images here it sort of does go to default compression automatically. So even this crop example I am providing does not show proper sharpness as it would straight from the camera. That is just the reality of posting in these forums. That...Show more →

When posting try to play with different resolutions and ppi settings. What works for me is: 150 ppi at 1600px height for landscape pics or 1600px width for portraits pics. Note: you would need 4k or 5k 27'' or bigger screen to see difference.

Dec 16, 2019 at 08:33 AM

abadger
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p.5 #5 · p.5 #5 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

milkod2001 wrote:
When posting try to play with different resolutions and ppi settings. What works for me is: 150 ppi at 1600px height for landscape pics or 1600px width for portraits pics. Note: you would need 4k or 5k 27'' or bigger screen to see difference.

I am typically posting from Flickr and very typically am using the 1600px rule. And it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Some sort of compression happens either on Flickr’s back end or through this board’s interpolation of the image. However when you click on the image and go to the link on Flickr it looks a bit better. Still not as good as when I view it in Lightroom.

I have not messed around with ppi. You do this when exporting from the editing software? Or please explain to someone who hasn’t utilized this method to improve image quality on the boards.

Dec 16, 2019 at 08:47 AM

nandadevieast
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p.5 #6 · p.5 #6 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

What a fantastic lens !!

Dec 16, 2019 at 10:53 AM

zeitlos
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p.5 #7 · p.5 #7 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

nandadevieast wrote:
What a fantastic lens !!

Absolutely! Feel free to share some of your pics (https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1610956/0)

Dec 16, 2019 at 12:12 PM

Enri
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p.5 #8 · p.5 #8 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Help needed… can the Samyang’s Lens Station solve this?...
As it can be seen (images below), the Samyang 85 1.4 AF-S at f/1.4 and 1.8 focus horribly worst than MF. Focus precision gets quite similar from f/2.8 with either AF-S and MF.
I would appreciate advice on the possibility of solving it with the lens station (and how) or any other trick. Many Thanks
EDIT: the lens has last fmw 0.4 and the camera is Sony A7RIII with fmw 3.1.
[email protected]

MF @1.4

[email protected]

Dec 22, 2019 at 10:24 AM

Flavourdynamic
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p.5 #9 · p.5 #9 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Hi all.

I recently received my copy of the 1.4/85, and I am disappointed with the performance. First, the centering is quite off:

100% crops. The blurriest one is always the same corner (bottom right).


	https://i.imgur.com/FFmV997.jpg


	https://i.imgur.com/83jfzMn.jpg

Jan 10, 2020 at 02:40 PM

abadger
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p.5 #10 · p.5 #10 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?


	https://i.imgur.com/FFmV997.jpg


	https://i.imgur.com/83jfzMn.jpg

Furthermore, the AF performance seems very bad. I have been trying to focus on items on my desk (with small point AF-S) and it front-focuses very often. Same thing when using eye-AF in both AF-S and AF-C on my own face in the mirror, consistently front-focussing by a few cm perhaps 20-40% of the time.

It's going back, I am just not sure if I...Show more →

I would likely return a decentered lens as well. And even without that, if after updating to the latest firmware with the lens station, adjusting the ‘punt’ value to see if that fixes front focusing doesn’t fix it, it would make sense to try another copy. Or if that is too much of a hassle, the FE is also excellent but doesn’t quite have as nice of rendering. But at least you don’t have to tinker with it or worry as much about QC issues. That is the downside of Samyang which is borne out in many comments on these boards. When it works well, the Samyang is an amazing lens. But often people have bad luck with it and that is understandably more irritation than is worth it for some people.

Jan 10, 2020 at 06:47 PM

Flavourdynamic
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p.5 #11 · p.5 #11 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

abadger wrote:
I would likely return a decentered lens as well. And even without that, if after updating to the latest firmware with the lens station, adjusting the ‘punt’ value to see if that fixes front focusing doesn’t fix it, it would make sense to try another copy. Or if that is too much of a hassle, the FE is also excellent but doesn’t quite have as nice of rendering. But at least you don’t have to tinker with it or worry as much about QC issues. That is the downside of Samyang which is borne out in many comments on these...Show more →

Thanks for the input. Do you agree that the above crops warrant sending it back?

I'm not looking for perfection, but to me it seems that the above tests aren't quite acceptable. Focus was done manually on centered subjects (the far tree, and the middle of the ventilation unit), which were then placed at each corner with the camera on a tripod with manual exposure, IBIS turned off etc etc. I did the test 4-5 times and got the worst corner at the bottom right each time, not always _terrible_ but always noticeably worse. My day job is quite literally scientist, so I don't think I'm tricking myself here.

As for autofocus: I also hoped that changing the "punt" would correct the lens's front focus problem, but it didn't. Mine was set to +2 from factory, FWIW.

As it stands, I am looking at the 1.8/85. I do mainly street photography and want to start doing street portraits (of strangers, that is), so I'd be happy to trade some smooth bokeh for a (less intimidating) smaller, lighter lens with better AF.

The only thing that would really annoy me is the worse CA, I think. I have the sony 1.8/35 and I wish it had less purple fringing.

Jan 10, 2020 at 07:07 PM

abadger
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p.5 #12 · p.5 #12 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Flavourdynamic wrote:
Thanks for the input. Do you agree that the above crops warrant sending it back?

I'm not looking for perfection, but to me it seems that the above tests aren't quite acceptable. Focus was done manually on centered subjects (the far tree, and the middle of the ventilation unit), which were then placed at each corner with the camera on a tripod with manual exposure, IBIS turned off etc etc. I did the test 4-5 times and got the worst corner at the bottom right each time, not always _terrible_ but always noticeably worse. My day job is quite literally...Show more →

Honestly I would just return the lens if you can, although virtually any lens is going to have some slight decentering, if it bothers you, no harm in returning. If you are using this for street you will be much happier with the faster AF of the FE 85/1.8 to catch those quick moments. Not that the Samyang is incapable of this as well, but certainly the AF isn’t as good as the FE. If you were doing regular portraiture I might suggest trying again with the Samyang. I do also like the faster aperture for street at night if that is your thing at all. Something to consider.

Jan 10, 2020 at 07:25 PM

superkrh1
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p.5 #13 · p.5 #13 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

For a lens at such value that has performed for me so well, I can't find many flaws worth picking over on my Samyang 85 1.4. On release I purchased 2 copies, both tested well, and I kept the one that was slightly sharpest where I needed it most for events and portraits. I sold my excellent copy of the 85 GM and 85 FE, and put $1,400 cash back in the bank. Have not looked back since and have not any regrets. Sure the 85 GM was the better lens, premium feel, sharper in the corners, buttery bokeh, controlled vignetting better, but CA was worse. Sure the 85 FE was most sharp in the corners with better AF and its size just complimented my 7R3 very well. However, the Samyang 85, with the sharper center, its light weight, good AF (FWv4) and the +$1,400 now free for a telephoto zoom was my choice.

Jan 10, 2020 at 09:50 PM

Charlie N
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p.5 #14 · p.5 #14 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

My 45 was so bad, I could see the blurry corner in my EVF........... my second copy is similar to your 85, not very happy

Flavourdynamic wrote:

Hi all.

I recently received my copy of the 1.4/85, and I am disappointed with the performance. First, the centering is quite off:

100% crops. The blurriest one is always the same corner (bottom right).


	https://i.imgur.com/FFmV997.jpg


	https://i.imgur.com/83jfzMn.jpg

Jan 10, 2020 at 11:46 PM

twelveish
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p.5 #15 · p.5 #15 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Flavourdynamic wrote:
Hi all.

I recently received my copy of the 1.4/85, and I am disappointed with the performance. First, the centering is quite off:

100% crops. The blurriest one is always the same corner (bottom right).

I picked this lens up earlier this week. Mine looked similar to yours, but with the entire left third of the frame being much softer. "I'm not looking for perfection" is exactly what I told the store when I went back for a replacement, but this was too much. First lens I return for decentering actually. I'm going go try a second copy and if that doesn't work out... well. First I'll be kicking myself for selling my Batis 85, then... the Sony 85/1.8 I guess.

Jan 11, 2020 at 04:28 AM

Photosbydlee
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p.5 #16 · p.5 #16 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

Does anyone here who swapped over to this lens from the Sony 85mm f/1.8 regret their decision?

I am very tempted by this lens but I’m just not sure if it’s worth the hassle of selling the Sony.

Jan 23, 2020 at 07:33 PM

twelveish
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p.5 #17 · p.5 #17 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

My second copy seems good. I switched from the Batis 85. I was tempted by the, to my eyes, nicer draw of the Samyang/Rokinon. So far I haven't been able to shoot in any type on condition or environment/light where that's really noticeable. I have however been annoyed at the Samyangs focus abilities in a somewhat well lit room (f2, 1/100 at ISO 800 to 1200-ish). For event shooting in this light, it's just not as able as my Batis was, in AF.

No regrets although I have to be more alert to missed AF shots now. But it's very early days with the lens for me.

Edit: FW is 0.4.

Jan 24, 2020 at 06:43 AM

Photosbydlee
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p.5 #18 · p.5 #18 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

twelveish wrote:
My second copy seems good. I switched from the Batis 85. I was tempted by the, to my eyes, nicer draw of the Samyang/Rokinon. So far I haven't been able to shoot in any type on condition or environment/light where that's really noticeable. I have however been annoyed at the Samyangs focus abilities in a somewhat well lit room (f2, 1/100 at ISO 800 to 1200-ish). For event shooting in this light, it's just not as able as my Batis was, in AF.

No regrets although I have to be more alert to missed AF shots now. But it's very...Show more →

That’s interesting to read, I heard the AF is usually good on your firmware. What made you get rid of the first copy?

Jan 24, 2020 at 06:49 AM

abadger
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p.5 #19 · p.5 #19 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

twelveish wrote:
My second copy seems good. I switched from the Batis 85. I was tempted by the, to my eyes, nicer draw of the Samyang/Rokinon. So far I haven't been able to shoot in any type on condition or environment/light where that's really noticeable. I have however been annoyed at the Samyangs focus abilities in a somewhat well lit room (f2, 1/100 at ISO 800 to 1200-ish). For event shooting in this light, it's just not as able as my Batis was, in AF.

No regrets although I have to be more alert to missed AF shots now. But it's very...Show more →

Highly suggest back button eye-af, wide lock on AF settings. This and setting it to Hi continuous mode helps when you can’t afford to miss focus at an event. The back button setting made the biggest difference in accuracy for me for portraits.

Jan 24, 2020 at 06:52 AM

twelveish
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p.5 #20 · p.5 #20 · Samyang 85mm 1.4 FE - Current owners still happy with the lens?

It's in the post above yours. Decentered. Pretty bad, unfortunately.

Yeah, I find it hunts more than I expected, and I get a few false positive focus indications as well. It's not too bad though. Nothing I haven't seen in a few other fast lenses with lots of glass for the AF motor to move.

Jan 24, 2020 at 06:53 AM

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