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11-16-2017, 11:48 AM   #1
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Samyang 85mm f1.4 for weddings

I am thinking of getting the Samyang 85mm f1.4 for weddings.
The rare occasions that the thin depth of field is appreciated by most brides.
I do have a tamron 70-200 2.8 but I dont think it is mean for these type of shots.

Any advice? Who has used this lens for weddings?

11-16-2017, 12:25 PM   #2
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Youll be better off with a simple 50mm 1.7 or less..The Samyang has a terrible short focus throw, and weddings tend to be too fast to focus with a 85. Indeed the Samyang was intended for still portraits.
Unless you can manage to freeze the couple, it wont be easy with the 85..
Is it a full frame you will be using?
11-16-2017, 12:40 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Culture Quote
I do have a tamron 70-200 2.8 but I dont think it is mean for these type of shots.
Do a test. Try 85mm, 135mm, 200mm at f2.8. There should still be plenty of bokeh

Oh and btw, Pentax announced an 85mm prime, but it will take some time before it comes out. The Samyang is readily available and very affordable with great IQ, but it has MF. And MF is difficult with such shallow DoF. So if you are willing to practice with MF lenses, go for it! If you want the comfort of AF.. well, maybe you can use CiF. If you buy the Samyang used you can sell it at a minimal cost if you don't like it
11-16-2017, 12:45 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Jeff Lopez Quote
Youll be better off with a simple 50mm 1.7 or less..The Samyang has a terrible short focus throw, and weddings tend to be too fast to focus with a 85. Indeed the Samyang was intended for still portraits.
Unless you can manage to freeze the couple, it wont be easy with the 85..
Is it a full frame you will be using?
I will be using it on crop at the moment.
The idea is to use it for bridal shots.

I do have two 50mm 1.7. One F and A.
I have not used the A in a long time. Basically because it is the same as the F.

---------- Post added 16-11-17 at 22:51 ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Na Horuk Quote
Do a test. Try 85mm, 135mm, 200mm at f2.8. There should still be plenty of bokeh

Oh and btw, Pentax announced an 85mm prime, but it will take some time before it comes out. The Samyang is readily available and very affordable with great IQ, but it has MF. And MF is difficult with such shallow DoF. So if you are willing to practice with MF lenses, go for it! If you want the comfort of AF.. well, maybe you can use CiF. If you buy the Samyang used you can sell it at a minimal cost if you don't like it
I did do the test at 200mm f2.8 last summer. I didnt like the quality much.
Also I was to far so interacting with the couple was not good.
I was thinking and 85 will solve both problems.

I cannot afford and AF 85 at this moment. So that is out.

One thing that I did notice though was that when I used my M50 in manual with a pttl flash, it was completely over exposed.
I am guess since the 85 is an A lens I wont have that problem.

11-16-2017, 04:49 PM   #5
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P-TTL "officially" requires an autofocus lens. However many users have been happy with results using A-type lenses. My own experiences with A types and P-TTL has been inconsistent, and I found the exposure compensation did not work well.

I'm afraid I think than for weddings you'd be taking too many chances, both for flash exposure accuracy and focussing, with a Manual focus 85mm.
11-16-2017, 04:57 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Culture Quote
I am thinking of getting the Samyang 85mm f1.4 for weddings.
The rare occasions that the thin depth of field is appreciated by most brides.
I do have a tamron 70-200 2.8 but I dont think it is mean for these type of shots.

Any advice? Who has used this lens for weddings?
Nothing to be afraid of, Culture, the 70-200 f2.8 for Canon or Nikon is a staple of wedding photographers, along with the 24-70 f2.8. You could run your business with those two lenses.

Everyone tries to be distinctive, so there will be others who add the 14-24 or 16-35 for interiors and special shots.

An additional 85mm prime or 90/100/105 mm macro lens are great for detail shots, the ring, the invitation card, etc and for dreamy individual posed portraits such as the bride getting ready.

Last edited by clackers; 11-16-2017 at 05:02 PM.
11-16-2017, 06:33 PM - 2 Likes   #7
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I would suggest a DA*55 1.4 although it is not cheap. I also have the Rokinon 85mm 1.4 which is essentially the same lens. That is pretty much a head and shoulders lens on crop sensor unless you get far enough back. I find my Rokinon 85 not the easiest lens to focus precisely. On a crop sensor the 55 1.4 would give the results I think you want. There is also the Sigma 50 1.4. I love my DA*55, on the K-1 it is magical.

11-16-2017, 08:37 PM   #8
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What about pentax fa 77mm is it over your budget?
11-16-2017, 09:27 PM - 1 Like   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Scorpio71GR Quote
I would suggest a DA*55 1.4 although it is not cheap. I also have the Rokinon 85mm 1.4 which is essentially the same lens. That is pretty much a head and shoulders lens on crop sensor unless you get far enough back. I find my Rokinon 85 not the easiest lens to focus precisely. On a crop sensor the 55 1.4 would give the results I think you want. There is also the Sigma 50 1.4. I love my DA*55, on the K-1 it is magical.
Sure is. This is it doing bridal duties on my K-1:







11-16-2017, 10:10 PM   #10
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I have the Samyang 85mm and used it only once for a model shooting because it is very hard to focus correctly. This lens will make you very nervous at a wedding shoot
11-16-2017, 10:38 PM   #11
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I would suggest that you look for a Tamron AF 90mm Macro lens. The bokeh on any macro lens is good and close focus is of advantage, also it is priced very reasonably if you look for used one or even new one.
11-18-2017, 03:47 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by RAART Quote
I would suggest that you look for a Tamron AF 90mm Macro lens. The bokeh on any macro lens is good and close focus is of advantage, also it is priced very reasonably if you look for used one or even new one.
That's actually a really interesting idea.
Lack of AF and difficult, shallow DoF might be tough for weddings, where time is of the essence. A macro lens, even an older Pentax 100mm macro can solve this. Macro lenses dont usually have super fast AF, but at least they have AF. And they are known for very sharp photos. If you focus in the macro range, the DoF becomes very shallow; but you cant fill the whole frame with just the brides eyes..
11-20-2017, 02:10 AM   #13
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Thanks for a your suggestions.
Now I am completely confused.

Time to actually think what I want to do. The tamron's slow focus is something that I would hate have.
There is nothing annoying than a hunting lens. Also I have the Tamron 70-200 f2.8. So I am just thinking if its necessray to have the Tamron 90 f2.8.
11-20-2017, 02:46 AM   #14
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I use macro lens also but not the Tamron however this is on my list to get it. I am using Sigma 70mm and it is not slow in getting auto focus nor it hunts. The quality of the shots are way above what zoom lens can deliver and for head shots or portraits you will need this lens. YMMV.
11-20-2017, 07:34 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Culture Quote
Thanks for a your suggestions. Now I am completely confused.
Haha sorry. Then just get the Samyang 85mm!

Reason I was on board with the Tamron 90mm is that I was considering the Samyang 85mm some years ago, but decided to buy Pentax DFA 100mm instead. I don't regret that choice, but I do not take portraits or do weddings.
Seems like you know what you want, so go for it. The Samyang is not super expensive, so you can still sell it at a minimal loss if its really not for you. You can check the user reviews and the Samyang lens club thread to see samples with that lens
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