Samyang 85mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Review

November 29, 2012 | Mark Goldstein | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star

Sharpness

Sharpness at 85mm

The sharpness tests for this review were carried out using a real-world subject rather than a test chart. The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC lens was attached to a Canon 5D Mark III body, which in turn was mounted on a sturdy tripod. Self-timer mode was activated. Slight tonal changes are due to slight changes in natural light during the session.

The full frameThe full frame at 85mm

Both center and edge sharpness are excellent between f/4 and f/8, but there's obvious softness evident wide open at f/1.4 to f/2.8 in both the centre and edges of the frame. At f/11, f/16 and most notably f/22 the overall sharpness is beginning to drop off substantially.

Aperture Centre Crop Edge Crop
f/1.4
f/2
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6
f/8
f/11
f/16
f/22