Been using this lens for 5 months or so and it’s a great lens! Canon 85 f2 is also a great lens but I chose this lens for its compactness and less weight. Sharpness is superb on my R. Now this lens and 15-35mm are the mainstay in my small shoulder bag.
I was not expecting that performance at all! Having used the EF 50 and 35, those were fine starter lenses, but build quality was awful and they deteriorated so quickly. Now I'm debating whether to pick this up over a native Canon 85.
This is actually fantastic lens for the money. It would be awesome if you were able to compare it to old Canon EF 85mm 1.8, which is still often picked up used and costs actually quite similarly to this Yongnuo.
I haven't been paying attention to Yongnuo lenses for a while but im definitely surprised by how far they've come. That additional function switch and that autofocus speed (that looks quicker than the RF 85 f2?) isn't what i would expect from them.
I tested and review this lens in my channel but with a canon r6, the results are a bit different, wondering it's extra resolution of the r5 was a big influence on those corners, anyways as usual excellent review, totally coincide with you about this being yongnuo's best lens
This lens definitely has some flaws but that AF performance was very impressive for a third party RF lens considering that they probably had to reverse engineer the AF protocol without any help from Canon. This gives me hope that we may eventually see some more budget friendly third party options for the RF mount.
It's more likely the lens simply uses the ef protocol since canon bodies support them natively (the ef adapter is just an extension tube, it doesn't translate anything - all the autofocus protocols are in the body)
@@MrPaamies There already are third party ef-rf adapters with control rings. So - the only RF protocol part that they have is most likely the control ring.
Thank you for this really interesting video! As always, the quality of your review is excellent! What an interesting lens, I have never seen such a behavior before! Definitely worth a look!
nice review. like Yongnuo's bockh, just to confirm which one is sharper in the center wide open ? Yongnuo or Viltrox? seems Yongnuo is sharper from this review, yet from other review compare on sony platform seems viltrox is sharper? thanks.
Hey Chris would you mind to make a quick review update for the popular sigma 35mm 1.4 ART ef for the canon R lineup with the RF-EF adapter. Like all usual review. You made this review long time ago and will be benefit from an updated review with the Canon Mirrorless system since they are quite popular and Sigma RF version is still nowhere to be found. Thank you
Thank you for another brilliant review and for covering a budget option for us EOS R users. Chris, should an EOS RP owner with the RF-EF adapter get this instead of the 85mm f1.8 USM? They are super close in price. Or should one go for the Canon option instead?
This Yongnuo lens is actually a lot sharper and the AF will be better. The only advantage of the Canon lens I can think of will be in-camera optical corrections
@@christopherfrost Would love to see a shootout comparison of this with the Samyang 85 1.4 and/or the Canon RF 85 1.8. I own the Samyang manual, but really want to trade up to an AF 85.
What was the pre-installed firmware version of this lens? I am asking because I see that you can update your firmware to version 1.1.4 (it was released on June 7), but you can only do it under Windows and I use macOS and I would have to specially install Windows under Parallels Desktop to do this.
Im wondering how did younguo beat sigma and tamron in releasing autofocus lenses for the R system. I can really see them becoming a next sigma or tamron in the next 10-20 years
I believe that in a similar suspected way to Samyang they have reversed engineered the RF autofocus system and the control ring (although Samyang does not have the control ring so Yongnuo have done one better). It is possible that in order to get the exclusive official licence design from Canon that Sigma and Tamron have agreed to not compete at this time with Canon in RF glass. Just my speculation.
I'm going to speculate this lens (just like the smayang RF lenses) is just using an EF protocol + control ring. I know third parties have figured out how to do the control ring, viltrox offer an RF to EF adapter with control ring function.
Hi Chris!!! Really like your content and my lens buying decisions are always guided by your videos. Had a small request, if you can do a comparison video of the three budget rf 85 mm lenses ( samyang 1.4, canon f2 and this yongnuo lense), it will be really helpful. I recently moved over to the canon full frame R line up!!!! Thanks!!! 😊
Great video as usual. What would you buy between the RF 85mm f2 and this one? They do get marketed slightly differently, but I suppose they compete nonetheless.
I’m with you, waiting and wondering. Tamron, sigma, and even Rokinon have been dropping such cool lenses for Sony (like Tamron’s 20mm F2.8 or Rokinon’s tiny 35mm F2.8, or Sigma’s 85mm art which is smaller and sharper than the EF Mount 85mm art!) and I’m dying for lenses like these to come to RF
I don't think Canon (or Nikon) have publicly released the specs of their mount, so any company wanting to make lenses would have to reverse-engineer them
@@Simoneister sooooo that doesn’t explain why Sigma and Tamron haven’t. They are both more premium lens companies and would benefit greatly for doing just that, reverse engineering the tech and selling more lenses.
@@JeffSpeers Maybe they have problems with copy right. Does canon allow them to do RF lenses with auto focus technology ? They are based in South Corea and Japan while yugnuo is in China, meaning they perhaps dont really care about violating intelectual property... Just suppositions tho
With newer names like Yongnuo and Samyang now designing and building autofocus lenses for the RF mount, established third-party players like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina might be well advised to get a move on with their own contributions, or get left behind. I would sure like to see some of those Sigma Art Series lenses released for RF, but unless they do so soon, I should think that companies like Yongnuo are going to keep improving and establish themselves as credible and affordable alternatives.
Till recently...Sigma lenses where designed for DSLRs and then adapted to Sony... Now as their new lenses are designed for their L mount and Sony FE, I guess these lenses will be adapted to Canon and Nikon cameras soon it is a matter of time
@@estoylisto Well, we can only hope that is the case. Still, it has been said that the early bird gets the worm, and if you find yourself in need of a good quality 85mm for example, and discover an excellent, and affordable, lens from Samyang, how likely are you to then purchase the Sigma equivalent three, or four years later? There has to be a seriously compelling reason, or reasons--value, quality, technical excellence. While Sigma may have a vested interest in the L-Mount, and an established presence in the E-Mount eco-systems, others are going to grab the third party market for RF and Z mounts. We can only speculate as to the long term viability of any of those systems, but I would put my money on Canon for one.
@@christopherfrost A comparison to the Samyang 85 1.4 AF would be interesting, too. It's a different league of course, but still affordable and it would be interesting know, if it's worth the extra money.
Such a dearth of third party RF lenses... Canon just capitalising on making vast profits from their own RF lenses. I have the RF Samyang duo and a couple of canon RF lenses and the Samyang are great. We need more to make the R series mirrorless bodies worth the considerable investment. I have looked online for this Yongnuo lens but it isn't anywhere yet... any idea of the release date ?
This lens is interesting... the mtf shows it is sharper than the viltrox (still not as sharp as the Nikon Z lens) ... I'm currently using my F-mount 85 1.8g on my Z7 and not considering the viltrox as it is on par with my current lens ... the Nikon lens is expensive at 800$ (I got my 85 1.8g litely used for 225$) .. this Yongnuo seems to be sharper and cheaper than the viltrox and would be interesting option when it comes to Nikon
It looks like Yongnuo is climbing the ladder from the cheap plastic knock off of the 50mm f/1.8 II that they're known for making, hopefully they'll continue building their reputation like they have done with their flash guns.
Just bought Yongnuo's 35mm for RF. Worst lens ever! Received and returned in less than a week. Chromatically Abhorrent. Focus breathing like it ran a marathon. Makes me scared to even try the 85mm.
The best lens reviews on RUclips, hands down! Thanks for all of the great reviews and please never stop! :)
Wow! Thank you for the review, brother! Really didn't expect much that this Yongnuo performed well like this! Had a 50mm 1.8 before.
Been using this lens for 5 months or so and it’s a great lens! Canon 85 f2 is also a great lens but I chose this lens for its compactness and less weight. Sharpness is superb on my R. Now this lens and 15-35mm are the mainstay in my small shoulder bag.
How is it holding up now? Interested to know.
No problem at all. Dxo tested as one of the best 85mm money can buy!
@@boramiNYC would you sell it?
@@boramiNYC I am thinking should I buy this or f2 canon🤔😅
@ f2 Canon
7:52 You can notice that focus shifts backwards heavily when you stop down aperture
I was not expecting that performance at all! Having used the EF 50 and 35, those were fine starter lenses, but build quality was awful and they deteriorated so quickly. Now I'm debating whether to pick this up over a native Canon 85.
This is actually fantastic lens for the money. It would be awesome if you were able to compare it to old Canon EF 85mm 1.8, which is still often picked up used and costs actually quite similarly to this Yongnuo.
I like that ef lens. if you tested both please let me know it will help me to choose between this and canon rf f2 85mm))
Yongnuo it's like the third party of the third party lenses lol
And that's alright, it's good to have multiple choices at every price point
@@musicdefinesgravity Absolutely
just the a cheap Chinese knock off. a ton of Yongnuo 50mm F.8 EF lens are broken AF part. I would use canon or sigma EF lens
@@ThanhThanh-it1pm and what you point out will never happen in any review... of course, unless the AF brakes during a test 😄
Well I don't get why people buy the Yougnuo 50mm f1.8 you can get the offical Canon version for like 20 bucks more
I haven't been paying attention to Yongnuo lenses for a while but im definitely surprised by how far they've come. That additional function switch and that autofocus speed (that looks quicker than the RF 85 f2?) isn't what i would expect from them.
Hi, Chris. Loved you new conclusion, in the end. After all your excellent (rewindable) tests and opinions, it's great to sum up everything. Well done!
Great work, man. Considering upgrading to this from my old ef85 1.8 usm
would be nice to see how this compares to the old EF 85 f1.8
I tested and review this lens in my channel but with a canon r6, the results are a bit different, wondering it's extra resolution of the r5 was a big influence on those corners, anyways as usual excellent review, totally coincide with you about this being yongnuo's best lens
I didn’t know you had this lens. I want to try it sometimes
This lens definitely has some flaws but that AF performance was very impressive for a third party RF lens considering that they probably had to reverse engineer the AF protocol without any help from Canon. This gives me hope that we may eventually see some more budget friendly third party options for the RF mount.
It's more likely the lens simply uses the ef protocol since canon bodies support them natively (the ef adapter is just an extension tube, it doesn't translate anything - all the autofocus protocols are in the body)
@@acouragefann I guess EF protocol doesn't support control ring So I think they have been able to implement real RF-protocol to this lens.
@@MrPaamies There already are third party ef-rf adapters with control rings. So - the only RF protocol part that they have is most likely the control ring.
Consider R cameras have no issues using old EF lens. using EF protocol on R cameras should not be a problem for stills.
How about compare with Viltrox 85mm F1.8
Christopher, will you review mark ii for RF? Thanks
Thank you for this really interesting video! As always, the quality of your review is excellent! What an interesting lens, I have never seen such a behavior before! Definitely worth a look!
pretty amazing for its price point， espcially on flare control
I would like to see a comparison to the Viltrox offering.
Thanks for this review. Not sure how it escaped my attention. There's such a lack of third party AF RF glass at the moment.
YN still have to make a wide angle zoom, hoping for a YN version of the canon 14-35 f2.8 for a reasonable price.
still not available in the UK for R mount
I use the EF version of this lens adapted on my RP and M50 and it's sharp .
i can't see it for sale in the UK
nice review. like Yongnuo's bockh, just to confirm which one is sharper in the center wide open ? Yongnuo or Viltrox? seems Yongnuo is sharper from this review, yet from other review compare on sony platform seems viltrox is sharper? thanks.
Thanks for the great review, as always! I think I'm going to press the button on this one, not sure I can justify the extra for the Canon RF 85mm F2.0
Hey Chris would you mind to make a quick review update for the popular sigma 35mm 1.4 ART ef for the canon R lineup with the RF-EF adapter. Like all usual review. You made this review long time ago and will be benefit from an updated review with the Canon Mirrorless system since they are quite popular and Sigma RF version is still nowhere to be found. Thank you
looking forward to ur review of 50GM & 35GM
Would you recommend this lens over the 34-105 f4
Thank you for another brilliant review and for covering a budget option for us EOS R users. Chris, should an EOS RP owner with the RF-EF adapter get this instead of the 85mm f1.8 USM? They are super close in price. Or should one go for the Canon option instead?
wondering this too
This Yongnuo lens is actually a lot sharper and the AF will be better. The only advantage of the Canon lens I can think of will be in-camera optical corrections
@@christopherfrost Asked myself that question, thank you for the advice!
@@christopherfrost Would love to see a shootout comparison of this with the Samyang 85 1.4 and/or the Canon RF 85 1.8. I own the Samyang manual, but really want to trade up to an AF 85.
@@christopherfrost Thanks Chris! Will be getting this one in the future. Greetings from Costa Rica!
What was the pre-installed firmware version of this lens? I am asking because I see that you can update your firmware to version 1.1.4 (it was released on June 7), but you can only do it under Windows and I use macOS and I would have to specially install Windows under Parallels Desktop to do this.
Im wondering how did younguo beat sigma and tamron in releasing autofocus lenses for the R system.
I can really see them becoming a next sigma or tamron in the next 10-20 years
I believe that in a similar suspected way to Samyang they have reversed engineered the RF autofocus system and the control ring (although Samyang does not have the control ring so Yongnuo have done one better). It is possible that in order to get the exclusive official licence design from Canon that Sigma and Tamron have agreed to not compete at this time with Canon in RF glass. Just my speculation.
It’s probably just economics. It’s not worth it yet
@@grumblewoof4721 I think your speculation is correct.
I'm going to speculate this lens (just like the smayang RF lenses) is just using an EF protocol + control ring. I know third parties have figured out how to do the control ring, viltrox offer an RF to EF adapter with control ring function.
@@DJ.1001 Yup, it's very likely that this lens makes the camera think that it's an ef lens + an adapter.
Nice work really useful video
Has this company ever provided any hi firmware update to their lenses? Went to their .CN site, but couldn't find any.
Hi Chris!!! Really like your content and my lens buying decisions are always guided by your videos. Had a small request, if you can do a comparison video of the three budget rf 85 mm lenses ( samyang 1.4, canon f2 and this yongnuo lense), it will be really helpful. I recently moved over to the canon full frame R line up!!!! Thanks!!! 😊
Great video as usual. What would you buy between the RF 85mm f2 and this one? They do get marketed slightly differently, but I suppose they compete nonetheless.
Hard to say. I'd be tempted by this YN lens for the lower price although the Canon lens is awesome
I suppose that’s a massive compliment to the YN lens! Great to see some competition out there.
Nice review thank you! Will you be having a look at the TT Artisan 35 f1.4 and the XF 70-300 soon?
Hopefully some time this year :-)
Where can I buy it 🥺
Any reason why these lower quality lens makers are releasing RF mount auto focus lenses but Sigma and Tamron haven’t?
I’m with you, waiting and wondering. Tamron, sigma, and even Rokinon have been dropping such cool lenses for Sony (like Tamron’s 20mm F2.8 or Rokinon’s tiny 35mm F2.8, or Sigma’s 85mm art which is smaller and sharper than the EF Mount 85mm art!) and I’m dying for lenses like these to come to RF
I don't think Canon (or Nikon) have publicly released the specs of their mount, so any company wanting to make lenses would have to reverse-engineer them
Well, Samyang currently have taken down the RF lenses from their websites completely and stated they "stopped production" - whatever that means.
@@Simoneister sooooo that doesn’t explain why Sigma and Tamron haven’t. They are both more premium lens companies and would benefit greatly for doing just that, reverse engineering the tech and selling more lenses.
@@JeffSpeers Maybe they have problems with copy right. Does canon allow them to do RF lenses with auto focus technology ? They are based in South Corea and Japan while yugnuo is in China, meaning they perhaps dont really care about violating intelectual property...
Just suppositions tho
With newer names like Yongnuo and Samyang now designing and building autofocus lenses for the RF mount, established third-party players like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina might be well advised to get a move on with their own contributions, or get left behind. I would sure like to see some of those Sigma Art Series lenses released for RF, but unless they do so soon, I should think that companies like Yongnuo are going to keep improving and establish themselves as credible and affordable alternatives.
Till recently...Sigma lenses where designed for DSLRs and then adapted to Sony... Now as their new lenses are designed for their L mount and Sony FE, I guess these lenses will be adapted to Canon and Nikon cameras soon it is a matter of time
@@estoylisto Well, we can only hope that is the case. Still, it has been said that the early bird gets the worm, and if you find yourself in need of a good quality 85mm for example, and discover an excellent, and affordable, lens from Samyang, how likely are you to then purchase the Sigma equivalent three, or four years later? There has to be a seriously compelling reason, or reasons--value, quality, technical excellence. While Sigma may have a vested interest in the L-Mount, and an established presence in the E-Mount eco-systems, others are going to grab the third party market for RF and Z mounts. We can only speculate as to the long term viability of any of those systems, but I would put my money on Canon for one.
Till now no news about Sigma and Tamron making third-party lenses for canon R mouth?
Wow!!!!!! Thanks for this review! Well... can you please compare this lens with the Canon RF 85mm 1.8 STM?
f2
Maybe, yes :-)
@@christopherfrost A comparison to the Samyang 85 1.4 AF would be interesting, too. It's a different league of course, but still affordable and it would be interesting know, if it's worth the extra money.
@@MBraun3 no point, Samyang left RF mount.
@@BearInDespair Oh, how comes? Just saw it, too. Still available on Amazon, but not in their Homepage.
Such a dearth of third party RF lenses... Canon just capitalising on making vast profits from their own RF lenses. I have the RF Samyang duo and a couple of canon RF lenses and the Samyang are great. We need more to make the R series mirrorless bodies worth the considerable investment. I have looked online for this Yongnuo lens but it isn't anywhere yet... any idea of the release date ?
when this will be available?
Look in the description for a link
Looks nice
very good lens for RF
This Sony version is one of the highest ranked by DMXOMark... Beats many others which are much more pricier..
Was waiting for a YN 85mm 1.4 AF for canon EF and it never came. Mailed them 4 years about making one. Do they even think about what consumers want?
hy christ, do test for 20mm f1.8G please
Hello Mr.frost, will there be more of Canon oriented videos, or it's gonna be mostly Sony?
I've covered just about every Canon lens available. The simple fact is that the E-mount is far busier
@@christopherfrost What about the MP-E 65mm?
Order directly from Alixpress and it's way cheaper. We always do this in Asia.
This lens is interesting... the mtf shows it is sharper than the viltrox (still not as sharp as the Nikon Z lens) ... I'm currently using my F-mount 85 1.8g on my Z7 and not considering the viltrox as it is on par with my current lens ... the Nikon lens is expensive at 800$ (I got my 85 1.8g litely used for 225$) .. this Yongnuo seems to be sharper and cheaper than the viltrox and would be interesting option when it comes to Nikon
It is this lens still available to purchase ?
Crystal Pepsi!!!
First. Not even have a Canon camera but I see Chris post; I like and comment.
SONY HAS AN RF MOUNT YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What? Im not sure it works like that 👀
I’m shocked how good this lens it
Is a little more expensive, but i think the 85 f2 macro from Canon is far better than this yongnuo
The copy I got is not that great…noticeable chromatic aberration and slow auto focus
QC issues? Which R camera are you using?
It looks like Yongnuo is climbing the ladder from the cheap plastic knock off of the 50mm f/1.8 II that they're known for making, hopefully they'll continue building their reputation like they have done with their flash guns.
Just bought Yongnuo's 35mm for RF. Worst lens ever! Received and returned in less than a week. Chromatically Abhorrent. Focus breathing like it ran a marathon. Makes me scared to even try the 85mm.
You're so RUDE!
What? How is he rude?
@@SixtyFourBlades He said "howdy". Cultural appropriation. He's not American! 😉😂
@@ruiner101 howdy
@@bozmundarts2614 Howdy!
Hola!