Canon EF 85mm 1.4 vs Samyang RF 85mm 1.4

RP-Toro wrote:

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and also new to Canon EOS RP. I am currently looking for 85mm lens and I am debating between Canon EF 85mm 1.4 vs. Samyang 85mm 1.4 (If budget was not an issue, RF 85 1.2... but)

I currently have EOS RP + Adapter (Came with the body)

I did some research, and I concluded below pros and cons

Canon EF 85mm

Pro

1. IS

That's nice on your current body, but on a next body IBIS will do the same. For portraits you will hardly ever need more than 1.5 stops.

2. Native Canon
3. Sharper (?)

Con

1. More expensive (in Canada probably $1,000 CAD more than Samyang)
2. Heavier (I am used to Pentax K-1 and 24-70 2.8 so maybe it is not an issue for me??)
3. CA (I read Samyang controls better CA)
4. Not RF Mount

Samyang RF 85mm 1.4

Pro

1. Cheaper
2. Better controlled CA
3. RF Mount

Con

1. I heard focus may vary lens to lens (Possibly quality control issue?)
2. WB (I heard more yellowish than Canon?)

I also thought about upcoming RF 85 f/2 but if I buy this, I feel, I am going to keep thinking about f1.4.

Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts!

I don't read anything about bokeh quality/character. That should be part of your homework.

Dustin Abbott did a review first with the Samyang, and it was very sharp. In another review a view weeks later he compared another lens to that Samyang mentioning his Samyang had become less sharp.  That's not really reassuring if you ask me. Furtermore the bokeh of the Samyang isn't the smoothest in my opinion. Smoothness of bokeh is not just a number. Keep in mind an f/2.0 lens can give a more pleasing result than an f/1.4 lens.  Unfortunately we still have to wait for the real reviews of the 85mm f/2.0.

I don't know, it's too early to tell, but I have the feeling it will be a nice lens, and good value for money.