The original Samyang 85/1.4 has a great reputation for rendering and bokeh; I've never owned it but looking at samples over the years, I'd say it's deserved. It's a decent deal used.
The Sony 85/1.8 is a great lens for the money; it's faults are often overblown, and it does well in the real world. I did indeed sell mine, but I wanted 1.4 and an aperture right, so wound up with the Sigma Art.
I'd say specular highlights on the 85/1.8 aren't the smoothest, and the dreaded 'light through foliage' can be a bit nervous, but from my experience, you don't see a ton of that in regular shooting.
I've seen a few reviews on the Viltrox - surprisingly good. Well, now that we've seen things like the LAB lenses from Viltrox, maybe less surprising.
EDIT: Out of curiosity, re-visited the Viltrox review on Phillip Reeve - bokeh looks nice to me, and has quite round bokeh balls out to the edges, more so than many competitors:
I use the samyang 85mm 1.4 version 1 with the a7c . It is a nice lens and I choose it over the sony after comparing both at f1.8 . I just liked the image better.
However , it is a beast . I rarely take it out these days and use it mostly for garden portraits. I think my next lens will be the batis 85mm , it is smaller and lighter and I like the rendering.
There are 19 native full-frame AF "85mm" lenses most of which haven't been mentioned.
I have the first Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 and the Sony FE 85mm F1.8. Objectively the Sony is worse optically. Both focus quickly, but both are unreliable for shooting moving subjects. The Sony seems to be an 82mm if that matters.
The little Sigma 90mm F2.8 is a better all around lens. The TTArtisan AF 75mm F2 is also quite good and very inexpensive.
I've owned and flipped between FE85 and SY85 Mk1 in the past, but didn't do any side by side comparison when I had them.
FE85 to me has the right balance in terms of handling, I like carrying it around. Never had any issue with AF and always hits the target. Hated the CA, but somewhat they're slightly correctible.
SY85 has nicer overall IQ because it's faster lens. Feels hollow and girthy but not too heavy for its size. Just bulky.
I do get more missed focus than FE 85. Hated that you need the USB dock to update firmware, yet there's benefit to adjust parameters and settings. My copy became extremely sharp when I tweaked AF by 1 slide to the right or left (I forgot). I can say USB dock is a must to future proof for firmware updates. Their latest release comes with built in USB port, like other 3rd parties.
TBH I liked both images I got from them. But I preferred the FE85 due to the AF performance and size. IQ more than adequate for portrait images delivered to clients.
Few more 85mm latest offerings worth to check:
Sirui 85mm 1.4
Meike 85mm 1.4
Meike 85mm 1.8 Pro - destroys FE85 & fits your best cheap 85mm subject line
Mzrk wrote:
I'm looking for a 85mm for my A7C. I will not be spending money on something like the 85mm GMII.
Like @Garmadon mentioned, you might also consider the Batis 85mm ƒ1.8. Excellent lens, with built-in OIS, and they can be had used for very reasonable prices. (I got mine for US $475)
j4nu wrote:
I really like Samyang's rendering, but part of its charm is that it's not as well corrected as Sigma's 85DN for example...
I agree. Had the first version of the AF lens for FE and the rendering is great / to my liking. Today my 85 is a 90, and it pulls double duty as a travel and landscape lens (Sigma i series DG DN 90/2.8).
The best “cheap” 85 or close to it for an A7C is probably the Samyang 75 1.8. I do like the Samy 85 1.4 but it’s bigger. I have the 75 1.8 when I want to travel light. I like the Sony &5 1.8 for that as well but the 75 is just so small.
AF speed and accuracy are more important to me than rendering, so the Sony 85 f/1.8 is my choice. Also worth noting, I don't think there is anything wrong with the rendering on the Sony.
If I were shooting slower, or static subjects I might have considered one the third party f/1.4 lenses.
jwpstl wrote:
The best “cheap” 85 or close to it for an A7C is probably the Samyang 75 1.8. I do like the Samy 85 1.4 but it’s bigger. I have the 75 1.8 when I want to travel light. I like the Sony &5 1.8 for that as well but the 75 is just so small.
Another 75mm option is from TTartisan 75/2.0. Great value for price and its metal build too.
Another vote for a minty used Zeiss Batis 85/1.8. A bit larger, but not too heavy. The only critique really is the value-side when bought new, but if you find good used one for around 500, I think it is a good option.
Checkout Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 - https://store.sirui.com/products/sirui-aurora-series-85mm-full-frame-autofocus-lens. I decided to give it a try so I bought one and used it during my family trip this past weekend. I love every image captured by this lens. The bokeh rendering is amazing. Much better than FE85/1.8 (which I sold recently). AF may not be as fast as Sony lenses but I had no issues capturing my kids running around.
I've not tested any of the Samyang/etc lenses but have had the Sony FE 85 f/1.8 since it was released and it's an excellent combination of quick focus and sharpness. I've rented both the original 85 f/1.4 GM and the Sigma 85 f/1.4 DGDN. I liked the Sigma a lot but it's twice the price of the Sony, and heavier. While one can see small differences in a side by side comparison, but they're not enough to get me to switch. I've used the FE 85 to photograph in the landscape and extensively with my active grandchildren and I get eyelash counting sharpness with the FE 85 and my Sony A7RV. It's often on sale too.
My vote is for the Samyang 85/1.4II. I owned the FE 85/1.8 years ago and liked it, but didn't love it. The Samyang produces beautiful images. Around $500 when on sale. I've only owned it for a couple of months, but love it to death - even with a lot of top GM lenses at my fingertips.
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/1.41/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/1.41/3200s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/1.41/3200s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/8.01/400s100 ISO-1.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/5.61/100s400 ISO-1.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/16.01/100s250 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/1.41/4000s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/4.01/640s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5SAMYANG AF 85mm F1.4 II lens85mmf/1.41/1250s100 ISO0.0 EV
