Yongnuo YN 85mm f/1.8S FE Lens Review

The newer manufacturers of lenses, many hailing from China, bring a new approach and sometimes some surprisingly sophisticated features. This we will discover as we unlock the secrets of the lens. Starting our tour at the front, there is a supplied round, bayonet-fit lens hood that locks smoothly and positively into place. No locking catch is needed. Within the bayonet fit is a standard 58mm filter thread. The lens is beautifully compact and light, measuring 67mm x 88mm and weighing in at a modest 349g without hood, or 378g with hood.

The generously sized electronic focusing ring is as smooth as expected and is compatible with all the usual Sony focusing modes. AF/MF is selected via a switch on the lens body, but of course as usual this is refined further by the settings in the camera menu. There is an Fn button that locks focus as standard, but can also be programmed via the camera. Focusing is down to 0.8m, or 2.63 feet, for a maximum magnification of 0.13x. 

Like the size of the lens, this close focusing ability is also similar to the compact lenses of the film era. It is close enough for a head and shoulders portrait, but users of zoom lenses may not find it as close as they might wish. The AF is driven by a DSM stepping motor and this is fast, accurate and virtually silent.

Optical construction is 9 elements in 8 groups, including 1 LD (low dispersion) element. The diaphragm comprises 7 rounded elements, for improved bokeh. Nano-multilayer coating is used on all the elements. There would appear to be two versions of this lens in circulation, and the most recent one is billed as being dust and moisture resistant. In any event, the lens seems extremely well made, which is particularly creditable when related to its low cost.

There is one other feature, which is alluded to above in terms of sophistication, and that is a USB-C interface, useful for directly updating the lens functions.

Considering its use on a full-frame camera, 85mm is the original, classic portraiture focal length. It allows the photographer to step back slightly, thus improving the perspective rendition of facial features, yet being close enough for good communication with the model.

It also offers a short telephoto lens suitable for a wide variety of subjects, from architecture to landscape and even close-range sports. The lens is compact and easy to use, and the wide maximum aperture makes it ideal for low-light applications. 

Of course, such lenses are also expected to deliver very high quality, so let’s now look at the performance.

Central sharpness is excellent from f/1.8 through to f/2.8, outstanding at f/4, excellent at f/5.6 and very good from f/8 to f/16. The edges are very good at f/1.8, excellent from f/2 to f/4, good at f/5.6 and f/8 and fair at f/11 and f/16.

The lens performs beautifully in terms of central sharpness, and the edges match up until diffraction takes the edge off the performance from f/5.6 onwards.

Yongnuo YN 85mm f/1.8S FE MTF Charts

Users of zoom lenses may well be amazed by the small size, light weight and ultra-fast maximum aperture of this lens. Once this was the norm, but lenses have become larger and larger, albeit also performing better and better. The Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 is a perky enough performer though, delivering excellent central sharpness and even the edges keeping up with that at the wider apertures. 

Add to this some really smooth out of focus bokeh and the lens cries out to be used for portraiture and flower studies as well as the full range of other short telephoto subjects. Used on a crop sensor camera, we have an equally useful medium telephoto lens.

Compact, high quality, low cost and a great balance of optical qualities, so what’s not to like? Yes, there are some issues regarding edge sharpness at small apertures and some edge CA, but at the price offered, we have a cracking good lens that can be Highly Recommended.

Many thanks to Stephen Hall for the loan of this lens for review.

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