My initial takeaways from test shots like those shown is that the Sirui is a STUPID good value...a better/more fair test would be against a lens like the Viltrox PRO or the Z 1.8, but where the fun in that? I'm also confident that the Sirui will have the more pleasing rendering compared to any eventual Z 1.4 that follows in the 35/50 1.4 footsteps.
The main reason to get a more expensive 85 would be to gain access to more reliable AF-C performance and more light gathering, primarily for indoor gym sports. For AF-S/portrait/walkabout, I don't see anything concerning about the Sirui yet.
Went out to the track and did some shooting...slower/distant stuff, no problem...AF-C people tracking on quick run-bys, no dice as expected. Sometimes tracking was rock solid, other times it missed an entire pass, so in that regard the 1.2 stays winning and I certainly wouldn't entertain serious sports stuff with the Aurora.
Either way, LOVE this lens for anything less than sports. The starting block photo is a nice example of the bit of swirl you can get at the edges, as well as the transition zones (and specular highlights you'll see in the bokeh).
RoamingScott wrote:
My initial takeaways from test shots like those shown is that the Sirui is a STUPID good value...a better/more fair test would be against a lens like the Viltrox PRO or the Z 1.8, but where the fun in that? I'm also confident that the Sirui will have the more pleasing rendering compared to any eventual Z 1.4 that follows in the 35/50 1.4 footsteps.
The main reason to get a more expensive 85 would be to gain access to more reliable AF-C performance and more light gathering, primarily for indoor gym sports. For AF-S/portrait/walkabout, I don't see anything concerning about the Sirui yet....Show more →
I had the Viltrox 85 1.4 and the Sirui side by side earlier this winter. Head to head in lower light the Viltrox won me over for better performance (resolution and speed) at 1.4 in AFC, (continous AF) exactly for the reason you described (indoor sports). I had tried the Sirui when it first came out over a year ago and it locked up my camera. The AF was not quite developed at that time but at 1.4 it looked a lot like the 85 1.4G which I was comparing it with. The Nikon had bullet proof AF in low light however (at 1.4).
However, since then a lot of things have changed for me. This would make the best "non-clinical" lens in the un-adapted ranks for either Sony or Nikon AF mirrorless maybe? This thread sure highlights that. The Sirui splits the middle between a Viltrox and a Nikon 85 1.4G, still quite the portrait lens allbeit adapted.
aerospace99 wrote:
I had the Viltrox 85 1.4 and the Sirui side by side earlier this winter. Head to head in lower light the Viltrox won me over for better performance at 1.4 in AF-C, exactly for the reason you described (indoor sports). I had tried the Sirui when it first came out over a year ago and it locked up my camera. The AF was not quite developed at that time but at 1.4 it looked a lot like the 85 1.4G which I was comparing it with. The Nikon had bullet proof AF in low light however (at 1.4).
However, since then a lot of things have changed for me. This would make the "non-clinical" lens in the un-adapted ranks for either Sony or Nikon mirrorless maybe? This thread sure highlights that. The Sirui splits the middle between a Viltrox and a Nikon 85 1.4G, still quite the portrait lens allbeit adapted.
The G line has incredible rendering, and really should have been what Nikon chased with their Z 1.4 lineup. At least we still have that older G trio to fall back on, but I don't like those lenses from an AF-C perspective much myself, having now been spoiled by some of the best Z glass you can buy.
Hah, I went looking to see if my lens had the latest FW update on it, and it did not. Happy to report that updating is a drag and drop, worked perfectly on Mac unlike Viltrox, and supposedly AF-C was improved with this release, will have to do some more testing.
RoamingScott wrote:
The G line has incredible rendering, and really should have been what Nikon chased with their Z 1.4 lineup. At least we still have that older G trio to fall back on, but I don't like those lenses from an AF-C perspective much myself, having now been spoiled by some of the best Z glass you can buy.
Ammended my post....meant AFC as opposed to AFS. But yes to Nikon making a lens of the caliber of the G lens. I posted in another thread that I do not see Nikon matching the Viltrox for resolution at $600. The Viltrox at 1.8 is right there with the 85 1.8 S lens. They will beat the weight (one day) but their best bet would be rendering style like the Sirui. If they could make the AF like the 50 1.4 (a really good lens in low light for AF, actually the most reliable Nikon Z I have used for low light AF on a Z7II but not as sharp at 1.4 as I wanted), and the rendering like the Sirui, I probably would have not gone with the Viltrox, even if it was up at 600. But the AF, resolution wide open and rendering simultaneously are tall orders. But would be able to stretch the budget a bit if it showed up. An 85 1.2 is just too much weight and price. The 1.2s crack that code at the expense of weight and price. Decisions, decisions....
aerospace99 wrote:
Ammended my post....meant AFC as opposed to AFS. But yes to Nikon making a lens of the caliber of the G lens. I posted in another thread that I do not see Nikon matching the Viltrox for resolution at $600. The Viltrox at 1.8 is right there with the 85 1.8 S lens. They will beat the weight (one day) but their best bet would be rendering style like the Sirui. If they could make the AF like the 50 1.4 (a really good lens in low light for AF, actually the most reliable Nikon Z I have used for low light AF on a Z7II but not as sharp at 1.4 as I wanted), and the rendering like the Sirui, I probably would have not gone with the Viltrox, even if it was up at 600. But the AF, resolution wide open and rendering simultaneously are tall orders. But would be able to stretch the budget a bit if it showed up. An 85 1.2 is just too much weight and price. The 1.2s crack that code at the expense of weight and price. Decisions, decisions....
I am personally very impressed by the low weight of the 85/1.2 for the world class performance and image quality it offers. It's THICK and LONG but it's certainly not heavy or hard to use for a session when on a Z9.
Got a Maven step up ring so I can slap my 77mm ND filters onto the Aurora, what's kinda nice is since the threads are inset a bit, the 77mm ring is basically flush with the lens barrel instead of sticking out wider. Annoyingly, the 35mm Aurora is 62mm, not 67mm to match.
A basic 3 stop ND allows for easy wide open shooting in full midday sun on a mechanical sensor camera.
I also still continue to be impressed by how relatively clean the bokeh is in the transition zones, usually it's total chaos in lenses in this price category. I've seen Sony GM lenses with worse foreground bokeh.
Now that I have the latest firmware, AF-C is MUCH more usable for fast action, and these were only on the Zf. Will have to test on the Z9 when I get around to it. I had a 90% hit rate shooting this for 5 attempts.
So apparently, Sirui is pulling all their inventory from Chinese sites and their own storefront. Still available in the US for now. Get one while you can, if you want one!
Jman13 wrote:
So apparently, Sirui is pulling all their inventory from Chinese sites and their own storefront. Still available in the US for now. Get one while you can, if you want one!
Of the 85 Aurora specifically or what? Sources would be helpful.
edit: just parroting the NR post, got it, it's all lenses.
Be careful on Amazon. I received two used Viltrox lenses recently. Even worse, I ordered the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 S and it arrived with no protective packaging as usual, but the Nikon box contained a heavily used Viltrox 50 f/2. All went back of course.
Ha interesting timing. I just bought a Sirui 35mm last week and it's in the mail. Just a single copy though so if it's badly decentered I'm out of luck.
I'm also confident that the Sirui will have the more pleasing rendering compared to any eventual Z 1.4 that follows in the 35/50 1.4 footsteps.
