Samyang

Samyang SYCV85M-MFT 85mm T1.5 Cine Lens Micro Four-Thirds

4.2 (9 reviews)
f/1.4

A fast T1.5 cine-optimized 85mm lens with de-clicked aperture and follow focus gear for Micro Four Thirds filmmakers.

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Overview

The Samyang SYCV85M-MFT is an 85mm T1.5 cine lens purpose-built for DSLR and mirrorless video production on Micro Four Thirds camera systems. Unlike standard photography lenses, it features de-clicked aperture control for smooth, stepless iris transitions during recording, and a geared focus ring designed to work with industry-standard follow focus units. The T1.5 aperture — measured in cinema's light-transmission T-stops — delivers a fast, bright optic capable of producing beautifully shallow depth of field and strong low-light performance. The aspherical optical design helps control aberrations while maintaining sharpness across the frame.

Mounted on a Micro Four Thirds body, the 85mm focal length yields an equivalent field of view of roughly 170mm, making it a specialized tool best suited for tight portraits, interview setups, and compositions that benefit from significant background compression and separation. The all-metal construction gives the lens a substantial, professional feel, and the long focus throw allows fine manual focus adjustments — essential for precise focus pulling in narrative and documentary filmmaking. While it lacks autofocus and electronic lens communication, these omissions are by design: this is a cinema tool built for manual control, and it delivers that experience at a price point that makes cine-style shooting accessible to independent filmmakers and small production teams.

Key Features

Features the same outstanding quality as our Samyang 85mm f/1.4 lens

Features De-clicked aperture to reduce noise and jerking motions

Aperture range t/1.5- t/22

Lens is follow focus compatible to enable the user to focus and use the aperture ring without interrupting video shooting

Minimum focusing distance 3.6-Feet

Specifications

Brand
Samyang
Model
SYCV85M-MFT
Focal Length
85mm
Maximum Aperture
T1.5
Lens Mount
Micro Four Thirds
Aperture Type
De-clicked
Focus Type
Manual
Follow Focus Compatible
Yes
Optical Design
Cine Aspherical

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • T1.5 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light capability and shallow depth of field for cinematic looks
  • De-clicked aperture ring allows smooth, silent iris adjustments during recording
  • Built-in follow focus gear integrates directly with standard cinema rig accessories
  • Manual focus design enables precise, repeatable focus pulls for narrative and documentary work
  • Solid build quality with an all-metal lens body at a fraction of the cost of major cine lens brands

👎 Cons

  • Fully manual focus and aperture with no electronic communication means no EXIF data or lens-based stabilization
  • The 170mm equivalent field of view on Micro Four Thirds is very tight, limiting its versatility for general use
  • Heavier and larger than typical Micro Four Thirds photo lenses, which can unbalance smaller camera bodies
  • No weather sealing, requiring care in outdoor or adverse shooting conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

A de-clicked aperture means the aperture ring turns smoothly without the click stops found on standard photo lenses. This allows you to make seamless, silent exposure adjustments during video recording without visible jumps in brightness.
No, the Samyang SYCV85M-MFT is a fully manual lens — both focus and aperture are controlled by hand. It is designed for deliberate, cinematic manual focus pulling rather than autofocus use.
T-stops measure actual light transmission through the lens, accounting for light lost within the optics. This is the standard in cinema because it ensures consistent exposure when switching between different lenses on set.
Yes, the lens features a geared focus ring that is compatible with standard follow focus systems, enabling precise and repeatable focus pulls during video production.
On a Micro Four Thirds body with its 2x crop factor, this 85mm lens provides a field of view equivalent to approximately 170mm on a full-frame camera, making it a tight portrait and medium telephoto option.