Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 (Canon EF) - Fast Aperture, Manual Focus, Portrait Lens, Low Light Performance
The Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 (Canon EF) is a professional-grade manual focus prime lens engineered for portrait photographers and videographers seeking exceptional image quality, precise control, and reliable low light performance. Designed to address the demands of high-resolution full-frame Canon EF mount cameras, this lens delivers a classic 85mm field of view with a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, making it ideal for creative portraiture, studio setups, and cinematic video production. Its advanced optical formula and robust mechanical design ensure sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and consistent results, even in challenging lighting conditions.Leveraging Samyang’s decades of expertise in manual focus optics, the MK2 version introduces several refinements over its predecessor, including enhanced weather sealing, a customizable de-clicked aperture ring, and improved lens coatings for higher contrast and reduced flare. The result is a lens that empowers professionals to achieve their creative vision with reliable manual precision and distinctive rendering, standing out as a compelling alternative to autofocus competitors from Canon and Sigma in the fast portrait lens category.
1. Ultra-Bright f/1.4 Maximum Aperture
The Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 boasts an ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture, enabling outstanding subject isolation and creamy background blur (bokeh) for classic portraiture. This wide aperture also enhances the lens’s low light performance, making it suitable for indoor shoots, events, and night photography. This allows photographers to shoot handheld in dim environments while maintaining sharp, vibrant images.
2. Advanced Optical Construction
The lens utilizes a sophisticated 9-element, 7-group optical design, including one Hybrid Aspherical element to minimize spherical aberrations and distortion. Enhanced Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) is applied to all elements to suppress ghosting and flare, ensuring high contrast and color fidelity. This results in sharp, true-to-life images across the entire frame, even at wide apertures.
3. Manual Focus Precision
A refined manual focus mechanism with a smooth, damped focus ring offers tactile precision for critical focusing, especially important for video and high-resolution stills. The long focus throw supports fine control over focus transitions and zone focusing techniques. This enables filmmakers and photographers to achieve pin-sharp focus exactly where they want it, even at shallow depths of field.
4. De-Clicked Aperture Ring for Video
The MK2 version introduces a de-clicked aperture ring, allowing seamless, silent aperture adjustments during video recording. Users can switch between clicked and de-clicked operation with a simple mechanism on the lens barrel. This gives videographers smooth exposure changes without distracting clicks, supporting professional video workflows.
5. Weather-Sealed Construction
With an improved weather-sealed design, the lens resists dust, light rain, and splashes, making it reliable for outdoor and on-location shoots. The sealing is applied around the mount area, protecting sensitive internal components from environmental hazards. This enables professionals to work confidently in unpredictable weather conditions.
6. Optimized for Canon EF Full-Frame Sensors
Engineered specifically for Canon EF mount full-frame cameras, the lens provides optimal coverage and edge-to-edge sharpness on high-resolution sensors. It is also compatible with Canon APS-C bodies, offering an equivalent focal length of approximately 136mm for tighter compositions. This ensures versatility for photographers using both full-frame and crop-sensor Canon DSLRs.
7. Beautiful Circular Bokeh
A 9-blade rounded diaphragm produces smooth, circular bokeh highlights, enhancing the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas. This design minimizes harsh edges and cat’s-eye effects, especially at wide apertures. This allows portrait photographers to create visually pleasing, professional background separation in both stills and video.
8. Compact and Lightweight Build
Despite its robust metal barrel, the lens remains compact and lightweight at just 583g, facilitating handheld operation and easy transport. Its balanced design complements both smaller and larger Canon DSLR bodies. This makes it an excellent choice for location shoots, travel portraiture, and gimbal-mounted video work.
9. Durable Metal Construction
The all-metal housing and precision-machined components provide long-term durability and reliability under rigorous professional use. The focus ring and aperture controls are engineered for longevity and consistent performance. This ensures the lens can withstand frequent field use and demanding shooting environments.
10. Enhanced Lens Coatings
Samyang’s Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) technology reduces internal reflections, suppresses flare, and boosts overall image contrast. Compared to earlier models, the MK2’s coatings are optimized for digital sensors, delivering cleaner, more saturated images in backlit or high-contrast scenes. This helps photographers achieve clear, vibrant results even in challenging lighting situations.
Summary
The Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 (Canon EF) stands out as a premier manual focus portrait lens for professionals who demand uncompromising image quality, creative control, and reliability. Its combination of a fast f/1.4 aperture, advanced optics, and robust weather-sealed construction make it a compelling alternative to autofocus competitors, while the de-clicked aperture ring and precise focus mechanism cater to the needs of both photographers and filmmakers.Whether you’re capturing studio portraits, cinematic video, or on-location editorial work, the MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 delivers a distinctive rendering that elevates your creative projects. Available now at ebphotovideo.com, this lens is a top choice for Canon EF mount users seeking premium performance and manual precision in every shot.
