Samyang/Opteka 85mm 1.4

[biggerry]

Not a review by any means, merely a few obervations after using this lens a couple of times.

1) this sh$t has razor thin DOF, straight outta the box 95% of the first 50 shots missed eyes, got hair, fences, dogs and everything else.

2) This is sharp, if the nikkor is sharper than this then them pixels must be neatly shaved.

3) Lens cap and hood - the person who design this should be taken out and forehead slapped...twice, then made to design shirt buttons for at least a year - damn turkey's, it ain't that hard but they have successfully made a perfectly good lens cap and hood painful.

4) This is cheap, stupidly cheap for what you get. I want the nikkor version but 1k worth of pain is a way off for me hence this is a great stop gap solution, I will probably go the nikkor version later, not for for any sharpness or bokeh benefits but more purely for the AF. The manual focus is ok if you have time but gets painful when tracking chaos on wheels.

a quick example of the sharpness (no web sharpening).... an absolute awe inspiring composition too.

[Mr Darcy]

Well that's pretty crap. I can't see what level he's on on Angry Birds

[Remorhaz]

Thanks Gerry - looks good - I'm not sure how I'd cope with only manual focus tho (I've gone soft...)

I saw one of these (the Rokinon 85/1.4) for sale on Gumtree yesterday for $400 if anyone is keen (not sure if thats a good price or not).

[surenj]

I can't see what level he's on on Angry Birds

Classic!!

How does this compare to the 85 1.8 nikkor?

[surenj]

an absolute awe inspiring composition too.

You could even crop 20% off the bottom and still come out on top....

[aim54x]

Gerry, thanks for the pic and first thoughts. I cant wait to see you work your magic with this lens!

Well that's pretty crap. I can't see what level he's on on Angry Birds

I saw one of these (the Rokinon 85/1.4) for sale on Gumtree yesterday for $400 if anyone is keen (not sure if thats a good price or not).

I have been watching them for awhile, and 400 for a 2nd hand copy is too much. You can get one for about 370 landed out of HK.

[aim54x]

Gerry, thanks for the pic and first thoughts. I cant wait to see you work your magic with this lens!

Well that's pretty crap. I can't see what level he's on on Angry Birds

I saw one of these (the Rokinon 85/1.4) for sale on Gumtree yesterday for $400 if anyone is keen (not sure if thats a good price or not).

I have been watching them for awhile, and 400 for a 2nd hand copy is too much. You can get one for about 370 landed out of HK.

[Murray Foote]

They also have a 24 f1.4 on the way which could also be tempting, especially since you have less need of AF with a wide angle verging on ultrawide.

[biggerry]

Well that's pretty crap. I can't see what level he's on on Angry Birds

man, i only got a few levels left to go on the phone, that sh$t is addictive, i have even got the 2yro playing it now, does alright too...

I saw one of these (the Rokinon 85/1.4) for sale on Gumtree yesterday for $400 if anyone is keen (not sure if thats a good price or not).

yeah i would not even consider a used one for anything less than 200, they go new for 379.

How does this compare to the 85 1.8 nikkor?

dunno, when i get the 85mm 1.4 i will let ya know...donations anybody?

You could even crop 20% off the bottom and still come out on top....

lol..

Gerry, thanks for the pic and first thoughts. I cant wait to see you work your magic with this lens!

its pretty hard work, focusing is quite hard and the focu indicator in camera is all but useful to be honest, the range in which it thinks it is in focus is not actually what is in focus...

[aim54x]

its pretty hard work, focusing is quite hard and the focu indicator in camera is all but useful to be honest, the range in which it thinks it is in focus is not actually what is in focus...

That would be attributed to the size of your focus points compared to the depth of the plane of focus

[surenj]

surenj wrote:How does this compare to the 85 1.8 nikkor?
dunno, when i get the 85mm 1.4 i will let ya know...donations anybody?

I meant the nikkor 85 1.8 AF not 1.4.

Only reason I asked was that it would seem that the nikkor 1.8 is about $400 gray. [Is that correct? I don't know much about this Nikon nomenclature with AF-D, AF-S etc etc]

[surenj]

On second look, these look quite contrasty like your 300mm pics....

How do you find the contrast levels with the Samyang?

[biggerry]

surenj wrote:How does this compare to the 85 1.8 nikkor?
dunno, when i get the 85mm 1.4 i will let ya know...donations anybody?

I meant the nikkor 85 1.8 AF not 1.4.

Only reason I asked was that it would seem that the nikkor 1.8 is about $400 gray. [Is that correct? I don't know much about this Nikon nomenclature with AF-D, AF-S etc etc]

ahh yes, the 1.8 is a much cheaper option, I have never seen or used it though so yes I would also be interested in how it compares too.

[biggerry]

On second look, these look quite contrasty like your 300mm pics....

How do you find the contrast levels with the Samyang?

very very nice.. camparable to the 105 and the 300mm f4, not quite as good but close, purely from a anecdotal POV tho.

when you get the 1.4 in focus that bokeh is nice.

[surenj]

Gerry, That's a classic pic. Nice Bokeh and subject matter.

I reckon though 85 is a little long for indoors use. [depends on the size of your indoors of course]

[MATT]

I have one also. The first time I used it I could not get the focus.

This from my D700 and the 85 1.4 Rockinasomethingarather. I missed focus slightly.. It has made me decide I need (not realy more want) an AF 85 1.4


Mikah End of Year Concert-4643.jpg by MATT APPEL, on Flickr

MATT

[biggerry]

The first time I used it I could not get the focus.

did your focus strike rate increase? I have found mine is getting better but I would not want to rely on it to nail a critical shot...

[colin_12]

[quote="biggerry]ahh yes, the 1.8 is a much cheaper option, I have never seen or used it though so yes I would also be interested in how it compares too.[/quote]

I have the 1.8 Gerry. I think it is pretty good. If you want to give it a go remind me to bring it along next time we are all together or come and pick it up for a holiday.