Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF Lens for Nikon F Review

The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF for Nikon F is a full-frame autofocus portrait lens that brings one of the most popular focal lengths into Rokinon's growing autofocus lineup. At $599, it undercuts first-party and many third-party alternatives by a significant margin, aiming to appeal to budget-conscious portrait shooters who need fast glass and autofocus capability. The lens features an ultrasonic dual linear AF motor, a hybrid aspherical element for improved sharpness, and a nine-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh.

On paper, the specs hit the right notes for portraits and low-light work. The f/1.4 maximum aperture offers shallow depth of field and strong light-gathering ability, while the hybrid aspherical element and ultra multi-coating suggest Rokinon is addressing optical quality head-on. The autofocus motor is a notable upgrade over Rokinon's manual-only heritage, though performance in real-world use remains to be tested. For Nikon F-mount shooters looking for an affordable fast 85mm, this lens slots into a competitive middle ground between legacy manual primes and pricier autofocus options from Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron.