Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Canon EF - Fast Portrait Optic

Our review of the Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS for Canon EF finds it best suited to filmmakers and portrait photographers who need a fast, characterful medium-telephoto lens without spending a fortune. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of a very fast T1.5 aperture and an 8 blade iris that delivers attractive, creamy bokeh and strong low-light performance, making it a practical choice for interviews, narrative work, and shallow-depth cinematic looks.

Key Features

• 85mm focal length: Provides a flattering medium-telephoto perspective for portraits and close-ups on full-frame cameras, helping isolate subjects from the background.
• Very fast T1.5 aperture: Allows shooting in low light and creates a shallow depth of field for cinematic separation between subject and background.
• 8 blade iris: Produces smooth, rounded bokeh that enhances out-of-focus highlights and delivers pleasing background rendering.
• Geared focus and aperture rings: Designed for film-style use, both rings accept standard follow focus and matte box accessories for run-and-gun or controlled setups.
• Declicked aperture ring: Enables fluid, silent iris pulls for smooth exposure transitions during takes.
• Color matched DS line: Built and tested to match color and contrast across the Rokinon cine DS lineup to simplify lens swaps in multi-lens shoots.

Who It's For

The Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS is ideal for independent filmmakers, wedding videographers, and portrait photographers who want a cinematic look on a budget and rely on manual focus control and follow-focus compatibility. Its fast aperture and attractive bokeh make it particularly useful for low-light event work and narrative close-ups.

Those who need autofocus, dust- and weather-sealing, or the absolute highest resolution optics for pixel-peeping on very high-megapixel stills should look elsewhere; this lens is purpose-built for cine-style manual operation and practical video workflows rather than autofocus convenience.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent image quality with sharp rendering at 4K and a pleasing background separation thanks to the 8 blade iris.
• Strong low-light usability from the fast T1.5 aperture, useful for available-light shooting.
• Cine-friendly design with geared focus and aperture rings and dual focus scales for easy follow-focus setup and operator convenience.
• Color and contrast matched across the cine DS line, simplifying lens swaps on multi-lens shoots.

Cons

• Manual focus operation and lack of autofocus can slow run-and-gun stills workflows and require more operator skill.
• Some users note mixed feelings about focus accuracy and ease of use, so careful calibration and practice are recommended.

Specifications

Brand	Rokinon
Mount	Canon EF
Focal length	85mm (full-frame)
Maximum aperture	T1.5
Iris blades	8 blade iris
Controls	Geared focus and aperture rings, declicked aperture ring
Line	Cine DS 2nd generation (color matched, dual focus scales)

Our Verdict

The Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS is a strong value for filmmakers and portrait shooters seeking a fast, characterful lens with cine controls and consistent color across a lens set. Its T1.5 speed and smooth bokeh make it a practical choice for low-light and narrative work, though users should be comfortable with manual focusing to get the most from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this lens cover full-frame sensors?
Yes, the 85mm focal length and optical design are intended for full-frame format cameras.

Can I use follow focus and matte boxes with this lens?
Yes, the geared focus and aperture rings are aligned to accept standard follow focus systems and accessories.

Are the lenses in the DS line color matched?
Yes, the cine DS lineup is tested to be color and contrast matched to simplify multi-lens shoots.