BLOG
King of Bokeh
Over the past month I have had the opportunity
to test the Samyang XP 85mm F1.2 lens from the Premium series.
XP 85mm F1.2 is one of 5 lenses of the series in which Samyang focuses on the highest optical quality, apart from the 85 focal length,
10mm F3.5, 14mm F2.4, 35mm F1.2, 50mm F1.2 and this 85mm F1.2.
As I am a fan of low apertures I was very happy that I could test it with my Canon EOS EOS R. This line is designed to handle 50 mpx and 8k filming.
This month I wanted to check it in all circumstances. Although hearing the 85 focal length combined with a value of one 1.2 the conclusion is clear – portraits.
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/1000 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
This premium lens is built like a tank.
Let’s start by making the lens consists of 10 Elements in 7 Groups and has 9 diaphragm blades weighing 1,050g and filter size 86 and the aperture can be closed down to f16. The lens is built like a tank, decent production is a showcase of the Premium lines of these manual lenses, the ring has a very wide range so it is possible to focus precisely on 1.2 it comes with nice resistance, thanks to which the focus does not escape and the ring shows a red strip which is characteristic of the Samyang lenses. It is heavy like any of the lenses in this series, however quality comes with weight.
The lenshood and lens are designed so that they can be used together all the time,
thanks to which you can limit solar flares and thanks to this combination the lens looks simply amazing, I tested many lenses in my life but this one looks the most interesting, it’s a small accent that is not the most important but it’s nice that it is.
I was knocked down by the XP 85mm.
Let’s get through to the most interesting thing, i.e. sharpness at low apertures and I have to say immediately that I was knocked down by the XP, I haven’t had the opportunity to test the lens which was so sharp when fully open. The lens designed for portraits with such great results is a gold. On stopping down to 2.8 it gets even sharper from edge to edge. Comparing it to the system glass with a slightly higher aperture it falls out more than good.
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/4000 sec
200
Manual
-
-
-
King of Bokeh
Thinking about 1.2, he sees a beautifully blurred background, how is it? XP 85mm F1.2, according to me, blurs insanely, adding to the front blur the photos look like a fairy tale thanks to the 9 aperture in combination with such a large relative aperture. It’s hard to want more from a portrait lens but of course sometimes it’s hard to hit on 1.2 you have to come to terms with so wide aparture.
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/1000 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/4000 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.4
1/4000 sec
400
Manual
-
-
-
Premium performance
for premium design
In such constructions it is different with chromatic aberration at low apertures, however, it occurs in very small amounts, especially when it compares it with the competition in which we have more at higher apertures. Coma also hardly ever occurs. However, I expected such performance from the premium design.
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/5000 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/3200 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/4000 sec
200
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.4
1/4000 sec
200
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/500 sec
400
Manual
-
-
-
Amazing color rendering
The lens, however, like everyone is not without flaws, such as the lack of autofocus or weight, and how to think about taking it, e.g. for a wedding, it could be hard, but when I think that I could make at least one portrait with this lens, then I know that I can wear it all day all day. Thee color contrast is amazing, and some photos don’t need editing to look just great.
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/8000 sec
100
Manual
-
-
-
XP 85mm F 1.2
Canon EOS
F1.2
1/640 sec
200
Manual
-
-
-
For every portraits photographers
You can say that this is specialized equipment not for everything, if you have time to use it you will be delighted with the effects, great workmanship has made it become my favorite lens, although not the most used. However, as always in photography, the effect counts.
I recommend it to everyone who takes portraits and food/production photos because in these areas he is irreplaceable and just insane lens with amazing bookeh.
I am very happy that Samyang creates its line of Premium Lenses that are designed for specific thing, that you can expect amazing effects. That’s how good company works on it’s name.
Kajetan Konieczny
As a photographer with over 5 years of experience, I mainly deal with wedding photography. I try to capture every important moment for the bride and groom from the most important moments to the smallest details, so that after many years they can experience these moments again.
rvphotography.pl
.jpg)