Inexpensive Lens for Portraiture

A few weeks ago I purchased a Samyang 85mm f/1.4 manual only lens from B&H for $269. I have to say that I am very exciting to have this lens. Optically excellent and built very well, it is a great way to explore the world of portraiture for a minimal investment cost.

It arrived on a Friday and I took my daughter out on Saturday to shoot some senior pictures of her. As a manual focus, manual aperture lens, I would recommend a high precision focusing screen (which I don't have yet). I just used Live View at 10x to check focus while shooting.

Shot with a Canon 5DmkII at f/1.4, 1/180s, ISO 160.

Another one. This one at 1/125s, ISO 100, also wide open f/1.4.

Having a fully manual lens brings back great memories of the past. It's revived a creative part of me that has been dormant for a long time.