For Micro Four Thirds cameras, you cannot beat the value of this lens for the price. There are no other native format lenses in this focal length. This lens is part of my collection of manual focus fast prime lenses. I have owned used legacy manual lenses (e.g., Canon, Nikon) that needed an adapter, and fast lenses ( f/2) get to be expensive. This Samyang (same as Rokinon) gives you at least one more stop, and sharp across the frame even wide open at f/1.4. I also had a 4/3 version of this lens that I sold because of the expense of the adapter. I like that this lens is all in one with no need for an adapter. Because this lens is made in many versions for different mounts, this MFT version is a bit on the long side, but that is the trade off for not needing an adapter. Another advantage on MFT is that this lens was designed to cover full frame, which, on MFT, provides improved sharpness at the edges for brighter apertures. This lens is well made - mostly metal and glass. The quality of the front cap and hood have been improved compared to the earlier one I owned. It is on the big and heavy side, but not much bigger or heavier than my other quality manual focus MFT Voigtlander lenses. This is the trade off for precision fast manual lenses. The controls (focus and aperture) are precise and easy to use. I noticed on this lens, just like the earlier one I owned, that the alignment of the eight aperture blades at smaller apertures is not all that symmetrical, but it does not appear to affect photos.

A fantastic portrait lens suitable also for astrophotography thanks to the 1.4 max aperture. Sharpness is very good at every aperture; it is a bit soft at f/1.4, but at f/4 it is very sharp and still has great bokeh. Focusing ring is very precise and comfortable, you will get use very quickly with manual focus. The minimum focus distance is 1 m (or 3.3') so the lens is not suitable for close-ups. A bit heavy but very well built. It works also on the new full frame Pentax K1. I absolutely reccomend this lens.

Awesome lens no matter which branded version you get. Especially at this price. Yes, it's all manual. I've seen a lot of people say that will limit it to shooting video but I strongly disagree. Photographers shot for a very long time without auto focus. It's not difficult to nail the focus once you get a feel for the lens. That said, if you live by your AF then you would probably hate this lens. The lens is built solid, is very sharp and has great contrast with very little CA. If you want Canon L series optical quality but have no hope of affording the L series 85 this may be a good lens for you.

It is a fairly rigid lens with a very good construction so it feels very strong. It is a heavy lens, more than any other micro four thirds lens, so with my GH3 and Battery Grip makes a whole too heavy. Although I will see to it no problem. Manual focus makes it a little slow to shoot, also to be totally mechanic is a bit complicated, but it is something that is a matter of getting used to. Furthermore photos are super sharp and be as bright, helps a lot in low light and Bokeh, is incredibly beautiful. May become my favorite lens. ----------------------------------------------- Es un lente bastante rgido, con una construccin muy buena por lo que se siente muy fuerte. Es un lente pesado, ms que cualquier otro lente micro cuatro tercios, con lo que junto a mi GH3 y el Grip de la batera hacen que en conjunto pese demasiado. Aunque yo a eso no le veo ningn problema. El enfoque manual lo hace un poco lento a la hora de disparar, tambin al ser totalmente mecnico es un poco complicado, pero es algo que es cuestin de acostumbrarte. Por otro lado las fotos quedan sper ntidas y al ser tan luminoso, te ayuda mucho en condiciones de poca luz y el Bokeh, es increblemente hermoso. Puede llegar a ser mi lente preferido.

You get the sense that your average Canon engineer will (on the QT) use Samyang lenses. No autofocus, no auto-aperture. When you stop down the lens, what you see is what you get. The focusing ring is mechanical, so you don't have any sense of disconnection, when you engage focus. How it should be? But, there's more: Lenses from Samyang are fast: F 1.4 is a very fast lens. Coupled with the obvious quality of the optics, you won't be disappointed. You may also discover extended battery life, as the camera does not power any lens functions. All told? A refreshing rediscovery about what photography is all about. Get away from autofocus, and embrace the art in all of its dimensions, including manual selection of focus and aperture.

The few times I've used this lens it has produced some excellent looking images. Landscape and nature looks very nice. I have to find time to really get into the nitty gritty of this lens

I give it 5 stars because the Sale price was great and the lens is everything I hoped for. Check out the youtube videos testing the Samyang 85mm. This is my 2nd Samyang lens, #1 is the 12mm f2.8 which I bought with the Nikon D810 a few weeks back. Samyang is amazing period. Being cheap is a fantastic bonus. See the 2 photos I did first time using the 85. Both wide open @f1.4. The outdoor 3-shot portrait, ISO 400, RAW from D810. Both shots using the MF dot in D810 viewfinder. High average accuracy getting focus if you're careful. This is what I wanted in a fast 85mm MF lens.

I use this along with my other lens - good for portrait. This is a nice lens - nice bokeh! At first I thought that I would not like the lens because it is a manual lens. But thanks now I am force to learn how to shoot in manual. It is not hard and it does produce great images since you are in control of the aperture, speed, and ISO.

I have a Canon 5D Mark II and use the 135mm f2.0 whenever I can. Indoors it's a bit long so I bought the 85mm 1.4. I knew before buying this that is was manual everything. Put the camera in live view in manual on auto ISO and it's does adjust the exposure for you. This lens is the best blend of optical quality and price out there. Because of that, it gets my 5 star rating. PS the lens I got does not look like the one in the picture above. It lens may have been updated because mine had a more modern look, it looks like a Canon L series lens. There is no gold paint at, all red and white.

I got this Samyang 85mm f1.4 in Pentax mount. There is A position on aperture ring so this lens works in aperture priority mode very nice. Didn't try other modes as I use them seldom. It meters correctly and exposures are perfect. You can change aperture at the dial on camera body. Mine is Pentax K5 II. All you need to do with this lens is to focus it manually. Basically, your hand is motor for this lens. However on Pentax, there is available focus indicator in the optical viewfinder, and once you achieve focus it will blink / beep so you may shoot. Initially, I didn't adjust any focus correction in the camera body and focus indication was not reliable. However, once I dialed the focus correction to -10, I could perfectly rely on it, i.e. on f1.4 once the indicator would blink I could shoot with confidence. Photos are sharp even at f1.4, sometimes incredibly sharp, and I only shoot at it, i.e. fully wide open to get amazingly smooth bokeh in outdoor portraits. Background simply melts around your subjects. Now, all you need is to practice getting focus on these settings, and it gets better every day. Especially if you're taking portraits, since the subjects are static, this lens is more than adequate. Build quality of the lens is stunning. There's nothing to creep, no loose parts, metal mount and high tolerances of manufacturing. Lens is compact in size and has good weight. Lot of glass in it. Very high quality product overall. Amazing value for the money paid. BHPhoto delivered this lens as stated in their email after purchase many thousands miles away. This was my first time I shopped at BH and I am more than happy.