Samyang 85mm F/1.4 RF / Z

This Samyang prime is a full-frame lens sold in two versions, one for Nikon Z cameras and one for Canon RF. Pick the version made for your system. It has been in production since 2019.

At 85mm it suits portraits above all. You keep a natural working distance from a person, and the view is tight enough to hold attention on the face. The bright f/1.4 aperture is part of that appeal.

The main trade-off is focusing. There is no autofocus, so you set focus by hand every time. That pace suits portrait sitters and static subjects better than fast-moving ones.

The lens weighs 1 lb 9.7 oz (730 g), a solid weight for an 85mm prime. It measures 3.07 in (78 mm) across and 3.89 in (98.7 mm) long.

A screw-in filter attaches directly to the 72mm front thread. Any polariser or ND filter you use must match that thread size.

On a full-frame body, 85mm frames a head-and-shoulders portrait from a comfortable distance. You stand close enough to direct a subject naturally, far enough to keep facial features in proportion. The lens focuses no nearer than 3.3 ft (100 cm), which sets a limit on tight framing. Half-body and looser compositions fit comfortably within it.

The f/1.4 maximum aperture is the lens's defining strength. It gathers a large amount of light, so dim rooms, evening streets and lit stages stay within reach without pushing ISO far.

Depth of field at f/1.4 is extremely shallow. Eyes stay crisp while ears and background fall out of focus, which is exactly the look many portrait photographers want. That shallowness also punishes sloppy focus. Stopping down a little gives more depth of field when you need it. The manual ring lets you place the plane of sharpness precisely where you want it.

Eight blades shape the aperture opening when you stop down. Out-of-focus highlights take their shape from that opening at middle apertures. Maximum magnification sits at 0.09x, which keeps compositions near portrait scale.

Weather sealing is built in. Dust and light rain are less of a threat during outdoor portrait sessions or while carrying the lens between locations. The sealing applies to both the Nikon Z and Canon RF versions.

There is no image stabilization inside the lens. Handheld work at 85mm depends on your holding technique, and the f/1.4 aperture becomes your main tool for keeping shutter speeds usable in poor light. A tripod or monopod serves the same purpose for longer sessions.

Both mount versions share one optical design, so the choice between Nikon Z and Canon RF affects fit alone, not the pictures you get.

Inside sit 9 elements arranged in 7 groups. The design includes aspherical elements. Their specially shaped surfaces help correct optical faults, including distortion and spherical aberration. Distortion can make straight edges appear curved, so the correction is useful when lines matter in the frame.