Oh boy...

I love that lens already.

In particularly with the Fujifilm GFX 100s II mediumformat camera - it just shines. Sharp in the fine details where you put the point of sharpness, even at wide open aperture ƒ1.2 !!

The lens is a bit easier to focus on the GFX 100s II / GFX 50s II, compared to the Canon R6. Because moving the enlargement spot you see in the viewfinder of the GFX, but not in the EOS R6. The latter is a bit more quirky. If you subject is still, then it isn't a problem, though.

Due to the Info chip inside the Samyang lens, you have electronic control over the aperture via the Fringer adapter / Fuji GFX 100s II body. The chip also enables in-body image stabilization automatically in the Fujifilm camera, as well in the Canon EOS R6.

Of course, the lens works on both cameras (via appropriate adapters) - which is simply awesome.

 

(Mis)Identification of the lens (EXIF)

On the Canon EOS R6, it is identified as "Canon EF 85/1.2 L II" lens, while via the Fringer adapter on the Fuji GFX 100s II, it is correctly identified as "Samyang XP 85/1.2"

I have only tested it very briefly at portrait distances.

I think it is a really sharp lens - remarkable. Yes, there is LoCA visible - but not fully as pronounced like with the old Canon EF or FD 85/1.2 L lenses. In all cases, i am talking about the wide open aperture performance of ƒ1.2

Once you stop the lenses down, LoCA starts to get weaker and then disappears. With the Samyang 85/1.2 you don't need to stop down that much, in order for the LoCA do vanish, though.

 

I love this lens already

It wills the gap in my mediumformat lens lineup, between the Fujinon GF 55/1.7 and the GF 110/2 lenses. Being this ultra bright with aperture ƒ1.2 - makes the Samyang a stellar lens for portraits with a slightly wider field compared to the Fujinon GF 110mm lens.


Page 323 • Year 2026