p.1 #1 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
So over the years I probably bought the Sony 85mm 1.8 lens several times and it is quite good but it's boring as hell too. I have about 5 gigs coming up that I certainly need a 85 on at least 3 of them and want to try something different. I noticed nice round bokeh balls with it which makes me want it just for that over the Sony 85 which the bokeh balls are ugly. My use for it are varied . First im shooting events one scenario is some podium work which I may drop this into a 1.4 crop for sure than I have couples prom type shots with flash in a nice setting than I do have the runway stuff I can use it on as a secondary lens to the 70-200mm. Now I may not shoot a lot at 1.4 but I am doing inside shooting so the extra light a 1.4 brings does help focusing for sure. Im a working pro so know all the secrets for sure but just wondering how folks that have it feel about it. Im just bored of the Sony and want to try something that does not cost a fortune and I can use on my limited use basis . Im back to a A7RV and as an emergency body I added the EV-10 not so much to use but in case the shit hits the fan scenario. Im still on that retirement path and want to get away with expensive gear and this fits that cost factor. I'll still rent the 70-200 Version II and I have that I own the 16-25 and 25-50 which I really like but a 85 would be useful. Plus I own all Wescott lighting kit as well and love them.
p.1 #3 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
The lens isn't mentioned a lot.
I recall somebody posting a portrait in a thread about cheap 85mm lenses but that's all. I have been close to order it a couple of times now...
EDIT: here
p.1 #4 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
Just out of curiosity - what's wrong with the Sony balls? At f/1.8, they should be comparable. It's the same mount and filter size, so cat eyes at the border should be similar. It seems the OpticalLimits guy likes it: https://opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-85mm-f-1-8-sel85f18-review/
p.1 #8 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
get the Sigma. I think I may want to ditch my Batis 85 for the Sigma 1.4, but it's just such a damn good lens. the last event I shot, I used the 70-200GMII, it's so lightweight and makes life much easier.
p.1 #11 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
Buy it and post a review here later
I was also looking for an 85mm for my Sony cameras. I rented the GMII and shot it side by side with my Canons. I live in a wooded area, and my typical background is dense vegetation either with leaves or without, depending on the season. The Sony produced the busiest bokeh to my taste. It looks like we're on the same quest.
p.1 #12 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
I bought the Sirui 85/1.4 as part of the initial launch last November, when it was $100 cheaper and there were some extra perks and discounts offered at the time. It worked out to about half the price I got selling my old 85/1.4 GM (due to lack of use).
I have not shot with it much yet, but I can certainly say it is "good enough" for my purposes. The sharpness is decent and the bokeh seems pretty creamy and smooth.
p.1 #14 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
Sony's FE 85mm is their honest everyone's 'do a bit of everything' short telephoto. Refined bokeh was not high on their pyramid of needs list. It's great to see so many options appearing these days.
p.1 #15 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
chrisd999 wrote:
I bought the Sirui 85/1.4 as part of the initial launch last November, when it was $100 cheaper and there were some extra perks and discounts offered at the time. It worked out to about half the price I got selling my old 85/1.4 GM (due to lack of use).
I have not shot with it much yet, but I can certainly say it is "good enough" for my purposes. The sharpness is decent and the bokeh seems pretty creamy and smooth.
p.1 #16 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
Jonas B wrote:
The lens isn't mentioned a lot.
I recall somebody posting a portrait in a thread about cheap 85mm lenses but that's all. I have been close to order it a couple of times now...
EDIT: here
I was the poster linked to earlier with the portrait of my son (which was shot at F1.4). I also went to a family wedding this weekend, and was asked last minute to take the bride's morning getting ready photos, and some additional ceremony photos - thankfully I brought along a 35 f1.4GM and the Sirui 85mm f1.4. I found the lenses were an excellent pair, and couldn't be happier with the Sirui given its size, cost, and images. I didn't have any focus complaints, and the size/form were perfect. The Sirui's custom button is a bit smaller and harder to press with my thumb, but I'm guessing if I shot more with it I would get used to it. There is also certainly some distortion - I don't see a lightroom profile for it, so it needed somewhere around -5 to -8 correction.
Here is an album with quik edits of those photos - if you click the "i" with a circle, it shows the exif. Disclaimer: I am NOT a wedding photographer, so no judgement , but hopefully useful to see results from the lens. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BdyuDsAoGvZWrQq98
I also have some testing photos of the Sirui at F1.4-F2.8 if anyone interested I can send along. Maybe I'll make a second post if helpful.
FYI, I also use aftermarket hoods for lenses (Hoage for the 35mm, and Beizmei for the 85mm), which make them both much more compact. See the photo below.
p.1 #18 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
jchapell wrote:
[...]
Here is an album with quik edits of those photos - if you click the "i" with a circle, it shows the exif. Disclaimer: I am NOT a wedding photographer, so no judgement , but hopefully useful to see results from the lens. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BdyuDsAoGvZWrQq98[...]
Thank you for all the images!
Some comments/questions:
Image 0039, 00136, 00154 and then some: Internal reflections, from what?
Sometimes a bit of nervous or jittery bokeh as in image 00210 and some more at the trees.
Veiling flare?? image 00114, 00147
Where does the flare come from in image 00098 and 00102?
LoCA close up as in image 9274. I didn't see a lot of LoCA. Is it something you having bothered you?
My impression is that the Aurora lens is sharp enough, I like the bokeh balls and the rendering in general. I think it is a lens that isn't spectacular but a lens delivering images easy to the eyes and a pleasure to look at. Some images I like a lot. Thanks!
p.1 #19 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
Jonas B wrote:
Thank you for all the images!
Some comments/questions:
Image 0039, 00136, 00154 and then some: Internal reflections, from what?
Sometimes a bit of nervous or jittery bokeh as in image 00210 and some more at the trees.
Veiling flare?? image 00114, 00147
Where does the flare come from in image 00098 and 00102?
LoCA close up as in image 9274. I didn't see a lot of LoCA. Is it something you having bothered you?
My impression is that the Aurora lens is sharp enough, I like the bokeh balls and the rendering in general. I think it is a lens that isn't spectacular but a lens delivering images easy to the eyes and a pleasure to look at. Some images I like a lot. Thanks!
Great eye Jonas! I'm impressed at what you picked up on.
Image 0039, 00136, 00154, and 00147 were shot through a window, hence the reflections.
Image 00210 yes I agree not a great bokeh rendering in that photo - perhaps because I was also shooting at that moment with the electronic silent shutter (it's cropped about 1/3 down as well)?
Image 00114, 00098 and 00102 the sun was right in my face, though out of frame, so veiling flare.
Good catch on the LoCA! That's funny, I edited these as quickly as possible on the plane on the way back, and clearly didn't look closely or I would have spotted that. I just did a quick defringe in LR and it took care of the vast majority.
I agree with your conclusion. If I were a portrait/wedding photographer (which again I clearly am not ), I could certainly justify the cost of the GMII, but in a compact package at <1/3 of the price of the GMII and 1/2 the price of the Sigma, I'm very pleased with the images.
p.1 #20 · SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens THOUGHTS/Lens Test
jchapell wrote:
[...]
Image 00210 yes I agree not a great bokeh rendering in that photo - perhaps because I was also shooting at that moment with the electronic silent shutter (it's cropped about 1/3 down as well)?
Image 00114 was likely veiling flare - I was basically standing where the bride and father were in image 00043, right into the sun.
Good catch on the LoCA! That's funny, I edited these as quickly as possible on the plane on the way back, and clearly didn't look closely or I would have spotted that. I just did a quick defringe in LR and it took care of the vast majority.
I agree with your conclusion. If I were a portrait/wedding photographer (which again I clearly am not ), I could certainly justify the cost of the GMII, but in a compact package at <1/3 of the price of the GMII and 1/2 the price of the Sigma, I'm very pleased with the images. ...Show more →
Reflections in a window... of course! I wonder if it's the kind of reflection the current ACR Beta can take of?
00210 et al are probably showing a lens feature as your shutter speed was down 1/500. I also don't see any cut off bokeh balls but rather just less than perfect bokeh as in bright outer rings on bokeh balls in test images.
It's good to see the size of the lens compared to the 35GM. Pleased with the images, absolutely! I don't use 85mm very often and my old 75mm lens annoys me as it's my only lens missing an aperture ring. I think I'll order an Aurora!
, but hopefully useful to see results from the lens. 
), I could certainly justify the cost of the GMII, but in a compact package at <1/3 of the price of the GMII and 1/2 the price of the Sigma, I'm very pleased with the images.