Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 vs Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 II
Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 has more in its favour on paper. The AF 85mm f/1.4 gathers more light for low light and background blur; the AF 85mm f/1.8 II is cheaper.
Choose the AF 85mm f/1.4 for
- a brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4, about 0.7 stops more light)
- weather sealing
Choose the AF 85mm f/1.8 II for
- less weight (540g vs 568g)
- a lower price (about £160 vs £699)
| AF 85mm f/1.4 | AF 85mm f/1.8 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Samyang | Viltrox |
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.8 |
| Weight | 568 g | 540 g |
| Stabilisation | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | No |
| Filter size | 77mm | 72mm |
| Made for | Full frame | Full frame |
| New price | £699 | £349 |
| Used at MPB (Sony E / FE) | None listed | £159–£159 |
More lens comparisons
See all Sony E / FE cameras and lenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 better than the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 II?
The AF 85mm f/1.4 offers a brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4, about 0.7 stops more light), weather sealing; the AF 85mm f/1.8 II offers less weight (540g vs 568g), a lower price (about £160 vs £699).
Which is better value, the AF 85mm f/1.4 or the AF 85mm f/1.8 II?
On Sony E / FE, the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 II costs about £160 against about £699 for the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 (MPB used where listed, otherwise new; checked 5 November 2026).
Is f/1.4 worth it over f/1.8?
f/1.4 gathers about 0.7 stops more light, which helps indoors, at night and for background blur. If you mostly shoot in good light, the slower lens is usually lighter and cheaper.
Do both lenses fit the same cameras?
Both are available for Sony E / FE (and other mounts: Canon RF / RF-S, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z).