85mm f/1.4 Lens Comparison: Rokinon v. Sigma
After getting our hands on the Sigma and the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 lenses, we were able to truly assess what the main pros and cons and performance differences were between the two in a side by side video and photography comparison. Here’s a look at some examples shot at F/1.4, F/2.8, F/5.6, F/8, and F/16. The Sigma images are on the Left and the Rokinon samples are displayed on the right. Click any image for a closer view.
Sigma @ F/1.4 & Rokinon @ F/1.4
Sigma @ F/2.8 & Rokinon @ F/2.8
Sigma @ F/5.6 & Rokinon @ F/5.6
Sigma @ F/8 & Rokinon @ F/8
Sigma @ F/16 & Rokinon @ F/16
The Sigma 85mm 1.4 is a large aperture, medium-telephoto lens with an extremely fast shutter speed. The Sigma performs exceptionally under low lighting conditions and is ideal for portrait photography. Sigma’s 85mm also provides autofocusing, where the Rokinon does not. The Sigma has a nine blade circular diaphragm which produces beautiful and smooth bokeh and can focus in as close as 12 inches from the lens. It also comes with a petal-type hood. The Sigma 85mm is designed for use with full frame digital cameras.
Pros
Auto focus
Sharp focus and creamy bokeh
Super fast shutter speed
Focal distance – 12 inches
Compatible w/full frame and cropped digital cameras
Cons
Expensive
Rokinon’s 85mm 1.4 lens also gives you a medium telephoto field of view which is ideal for portraits. The Rokinon 85mm lens does not have auto focusing so only manually focus is possible. For photographers who require a quick autofocus, the Rokinon my not be the best option since auto focusing is not an option. This is, on the other hand, a cheaper option for videographers who normally shoot in manual. The Rokinon 85mm lens has a minimum focal length of 40 inches and also produced creamy, soft bokeh. This Rokinon comes with a standard lens hood. For still photos we found that the focus isn’t as sharp as the Sigma 85mm and at times provided different exposures at smaller apertures. This lens is still very sharp for the money and would best be suited for Videographers who want a fast manual lens that can perform well in low lighting on a budget.
Pros
Inexpensive
Cream bokeh
Good deal for videographers
Compatible w/full frame and cropped digital cameras
Cons
No auto focus
Focal distance – 40 inches
Sigma 85mm F/1.4 Autofocus Prime Lens
Rokinon 85mm F/1.4 Manual Focus Manual Aperture
Hi Olivia
Thanks for the review 
Just wanted to throw in there that the Sigma costs more than 3 times the Rokinon… so there is a big big difference there that does play it’s part.
Lens reviews are quiet helpful. Whenever you can I’d love to see more of them =]
Why is the exposure different, esp @ f16?
We were stumped by this inconsistency as well! Keeping all of the settings the same and altering the aperture only produced the images you see on the blog. You could change the other settings to avoid under exposing. We needed to keep everything dialed into the same shutter speed and ISO for the side by side comparison. Since Rokinon’s lens is manual focus only, it seems like a better buy for video rather than for photography.
Difference in exposure could be due to difference in T or transmissive value. It seems to me that even though both lenses have same F stops but amount of light passed on to the sensor is more in Rokinon than sigma.
I may be misreading, but it looks like the Sigma is ‘brighter’ at a given f-stop. No?
Yes, there are some inconsistencies in the Rokinon images. Some are underexposed at the exact same f stop as the Sigma.
Just got the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. I am keeping it. It is a beautiful prime; heavy glass with 9 blades. Thanks for the review, Olivia.
I just got my Rokinin about three weeks ago, got it for $299. Sometimes i have to go to the restroom and splash water on my face because sometimes i think i am still deraming that i got this lens for this price. Who cares about f16, i bought this lens because its speciality is 1.4. Personally this thing is built BETTER than the Sigma. There is no way I would pay $900 for that lens or even a Nikon lens for my camera. This Rokinon is an AWESOME lens. I just got into photography within the last four years and this is my first ever manual focus lens and i love it.
I have posted a link with some of my photos, and from all of those photos only ONE has been shot at f5.6. I dont see myself using this lens after f2.8. Here is my PHOTO STREAM