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Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS
The Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Lens is a special effort in the independent lens manufacturer world, being a popular focal length for serious portraiture combined with an extra large f/1.4 maximum aperture. Most independent manufacturer lenses are either zooms or very short or long focal length fixed lenses. This lens is precision manufactured in South Korea.
This lens mounts to any Canon EOS camera and works on both "full frame" cameras like the 5D as well as the "APS-C" style digital SLR cameras, but the aperture is neither communicated to nor controlled by the camera body. As such, you can use the lens in "M" manual exposure mode or "A" aperture-priority mode, and in both cases you will physically move the aperture ring to the aperture of your choice and it will stay at that aperture even before the exposure. Users of EOS cameras with HD video mode may prefer that the aperture isn't communicated, because this allows videos to be taken at the larger apertures (not possible in bright light with EOS autofocus lenses).
With a 35mm equivalent focal length of ~127mm and that f/1.4 aperture, this Bower 85mm lens opens up photographic opportunities you'll never get with your zoom. Capture close portraits of singers on dark stages with only spotlights on their faces, and those background lights will be soft cascades of low-contrast coloring. With the big f/1.4 opening, you'll have enough light to stop subject motion. Or try it in brighter conditions at fast shutter speeds and low ISOs to make great shots of people in front of blooming trees, with background flowers almost looking like paintings. It isn't easy nailing manual focus at f/1.4-2.0 (nor for that matter is it easy for an AF system), but you'll get better with practice, and soon be making many snaps that stand out in a crowd.
This lens was truly created with large-aperture shooting in mind. Though a fine performer with plenty of contrast and resolution at f/5.6-f/11 apertures, it is at its best shooting between f/1.4-2.8, where it presents a high-peak-resolution focus point surrounded by lower resolution/contrast out-of-focus areas. Rather than just sharpness all around, for many pictures it is this stark drop off in resolution and contrast that effectively draws a viewer's eye towards a subject.
- Bright f/1.4 aperture
- Aspherical lens element provides high quality images
- Fully multicoated optics
- Ideal portrait lens
- Low weight relative to many 85mm f/1.4 lenses
- Smooth helicoid manual focus action
- Internal focusing means that lens length remains constant during focusing (lens front also does not rotate)
- Made in South Korea
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View |
28.3° APS-C Picture Angle: 19.1° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.28' (1 m) |
| Magnification | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Groups/Elements | 7/9 |
| Diaphragm Blades | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | No |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 72 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.0 x 3.75" (76.20 x 95.25 mm) |
| Weight | 1.15 lb (0.52 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (7)
- Durable (5)
- Reliable (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits (6)
- Studio (4)
- Travel (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional (5), Semi-professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)
Most Liked Positive Review
85mm f/1.4: the good and the bad
I was pretty excited about this lens when I got it. First, the good: 1. it is very sharp. 2. it has OK color rendition so the coatings must be decent. 3...Read complete review
I was pretty excited about this lens when I got it. First, the good: 1. it is very sharp. 2. it has OK color rendition so the coatings must be decent. 3. It's very small and doesn't weigh a ton. 4. build quality and overall feel is great! 5. good lens to shoot video on the 5D Mark II
Downside: NO WAY this is a 1.4 lens. They are really pushing to say it's that fast. I tested it against an EF85mm f/1.8 usm and the EF85mm f/1.2L II and it is not even close to f/1.4. It's more like an f/1.9 or f/2 (slower than f/1.8). My testing was pretty exacting.
Still, I just shot it for a week in rome and loved the look of the lens wide open with NDx8 filter attached all the time. Very sharp, very narrow DOF, but again, no chance this is a 1.4 aperture-- no way....
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Need to think carefully before buying.
High-quality lens! Using video on my 5d Mark 2. For photography, you can use in the studio, or where there is time for that to properly configure the lens. For fast shooting is...Read complete review
High-quality lens! Using video on my 5d Mark 2. For photography, you can use in the studio, or where there is time for that to properly configure the lens. For fast shooting is not suitable. All mechanical control that would quickly change the settings need to be a "magician."
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
This lense is solid...it is sharp around the edges a little softer down the middle... Great boca on this lense and besides being manual on the aperture and focus its the best lense for the money, worth far more...best uses would prob be for video because of this reason.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
High-quality lens! Using video on my 5d Mark 2. For photography, you can use in the studio, or where there is time for that to properly configure the lens. For fast shooting is not suitable. All mechanical control that would quickly change the settings need to be a "magician."
Pros
- Durable
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Video
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
This lens is also sold under several other names. Check it out under the name Rokinon here at B&H, it's the exact same lens for less. Samyang is another name it's sold under, but I don't think B&H carries it. If you don't mind manual, you won't find better for the money. For video, it's a must-have. Tests show this lens is slightly softer than the Canon 1.2 L (I & II) in the center, but sharper throughout the rest of the frame. Here's a link to show the comparison: [@] If you're thinking about buying this lens, do it! It is worth so much more than the cost!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
I ve bought this one 2 monds ago and i can tell you,This hole Bower serie of 1.4 lenses whil become famous.They are razorsharp wide open whit a mindblowing resolution and contrast.Ate f 5.6 they beats every other brand whit 85mm lenses included Canon and Nikon.Ofcourse there is no EF on it.Bud who needs EF after using Hasselblad for 15 years? On my Canon 5d2 whit live vieuw and 10x zoom you can focus even more precicesly than EF.The optical construction is almost perfect whit 9 elements including 1 ASPH. Also very importend the frontlens doesnt move instead of the Canon version which causes slow EF.Its realy corrected for using wide open and has beautifull bokeh.A bit of shame fore using too many plastic including the barrel and lenshood.Plastic has also positief things like its light,doesnt rust ore is sensitive for condense.The Canon version is 6X more expensive and that makes it a lot more easyer to choose.Just buy it.,you wont regred it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
Excellent price/value,
excellent photos
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Video production
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
I am very pleased with what I'm getting out of this lens on a Canon 60D. I only use it for video purposes so that's what I'm basing my review on. Realize there is no image stabilizer on this lens so you either need to be the steadiest shooter alive or you need sticks. I have used it on a monopod with mixed results depending on how busy the scene was. The 1.4 let's in an incredible amount of light but you need to be on your game with focus at that f-stop. Overall very pleased with the quality at this price point.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
I PURCHASED THIS LENS FOR PORTRAITS AND IT HAS EXCEDED ALL OF MY EXPECTATIONS! IS IS A LITTLE HEAVY, BUT OTHERWISE AN EXCEPTIONAL LENS.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- reasonably priced
- Reliable
- Small in size
Cons
- Much slower than f14
Best Uses
- Dslr video
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
I was pretty excited about this lens when I got it. First, the good: 1. it is very sharp. 2. it has OK color rendition so the coatings must be decent. 3. It's very small and doesn't weigh a ton. 4. build quality and overall feel is great! 5. good lens to shoot video on the 5D Mark II
Downside: NO WAY this is a 1.4 lens. They are really pushing to say it's that fast. I tested it against an EF85mm f/1.8 usm and the EF85mm f/1.2L II and it is not even close to f/1.4. It's more like an f/1.9 or f/2 (slower than f/1.8). My testing was pretty exacting.
Still, I just shot it for a week in rome and loved the look of the lens wide open with NDx8 filter attached all the time. Very sharp, very narrow DOF, but again, no chance this is a 1.4 aperture-- no way....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Landscape Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
Well, i bought this lens not knowing what to expect, but now i realize what a great purchase it was since its price is low and you get really great shots with it. Doesn't bothers me that it has no autofocus nor IS, it's just like using an old film camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Studio
Comments about Bower 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS:
I primarily use this with my 7d for video. So far I have had great results. No vibration reduction so you have to use sticks. I really clean image and so far I am really happy with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
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What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
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- Lens Pouch
- 1-Year Warranty
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