Sirui launches new 85mm F1.4 full frame AF for Sony, Fujifilm and Nikon

Sirui, like 7Artisans for example, is what we call a third-party optics manufacturer, that is to say it offers photo/video lenses compatible with different brands of housings and therefore in different mounts. This manufacturer was, until recently, specialized in 100% manual optics for video and cinema. Since last year, it has also started to develop active lens models equipped with an autofocus system (which allows automatic focusing). After a first series of APS-C fixed focal lengths, the Sniper F1.2, here is the first 24×36 model which enters a range called Aurora.

Advertising, your content continues below

An 85mm 24×36 for Sony, Nikon or Fujifilm

The Sirui 85mm F1.4 FF is therefore a fixed focal length of 85 mm which is particularly intended for portraiture. This lens is available in Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm It is also still possible to use it with a hybrid equipped with an APS-C sensor and in this case it is equivalent to 127.5 mm (conversion coefficient of 1.5x). This will be the case with Fujifilm hybrids like the recent X-M5.

Very clear bokeh with a maximum aperture of f/1.4

This new 85mm is very bright and has a maximum aperture of f/1.4 combined with a circular diaphragm with 15 blades. It therefore allows you to achieve extremely marked bokeh (artistic blur) effects and, in the case of portraits, to make your subject stand out in relation to its background. Aperture adjustment can be done automatically from the body or manually using a diaphragm adjustment ring notched at 1/3 EV. Note that this ring can also become continuous (for use in video for example) thanks to a switch positioned on the side of the lens. It has an optical formula composed of 14 lenses divided into 9 groups with 2 low dispersion ED glasses and 3 high refractive index glasses and 1 aspherical lens.

Advertising, your content continues below

AF motorization and protection against bad weather

This lens is therefore equipped with an autofocus system for automatic focusing with a precise and silent motorization which can therefore also be used in video. The manufacturer announces compatibility with the Eye AF mode of Sony hybrids and the lens is equipped (based on its mount) with a USB-C socket for carrying out firmware updates. The minimum focusing distance is 85 cm.

The lens itself is quite compact and lightweight at less than 10cm long and weighing around 550g. It is protected against bad weather and comes with a sun visor. There is a switch button to switch to manual focus and a customizable AFL button.

Availability and price

The new Sirui 85mm F1.4 FF is priced at €650. It is available in Sony E, Fujifilm X and Nikon Z mounts. The first deliveries are planned from mid-November. It arrives a few weeks after the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 and is positioned as an extremely aggressive alternative in terms of price. It is obviously much cheaper than the native equivalent models from Sony, Nikon or even Fujifilm but also than the Sigma models. It remains to be seen if the promise is kept in terms of optical performance!

This lens competes with many other models in f/1.4 but also, to a certain extent, in f/1.8. In Sony mount to start, we can cite the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art offered at a price of €1,100 or the recent Sony FE 85 mm F1.4 GM II offered at a price of €2,100. If we accept a small concession on the maximum aperture, we can also cite the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8 announced at a price of around €300 but also the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 model which is offered at the price of €650. In Nikon Z mount, you have to take into account the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S offered at the price of €940.