Sirui has unveiled the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 AF lens, the first in its highly anticipated Aurora series. Designed for full-frame cameras, this lens offers advanced autofocus, weighing just 540 grams—100 grams lighter than the Sony 85mm F/1.4 G-Master II. With a 15-blade aperture, it ensures stunning bokeh, making it ideal as a telephoto portrait lens for both photos and videos.
Versatile Compatibility Across Mounts
The Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 AF is available for multiple mounts, including Sony E, Nikon Z, and unexpectedly, the Fujifilm X-mount. This inclusion opens up exciting possibilities for APS-C cameras. As part of the new Aurora lineup, Sirui plans to release five additional lenses, covering more focal lengths for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Dual-Use Lens for Photos and Video
This portrait wide-angle lens excels at blending still and video capabilities. It features a switchable aperture ring, which offers smooth or click-based rotations for precise control. Sirui positions the lens as a wide-angle portrait solution, catering to photographers who need versatility in various shooting conditions, from still portraits to cinematic videography.
Optical Design and Autofocus
The optical construction includes 14 elements arranged in 9 groups, with five specialized elements—featuring extra-low dispersion, one aspherical, and three high-refraction elements. Compared to the Sony 85mm F/1.4 GM II (14 elements in 11 groups), the Aurora lens delivers comparable optical quality.
The lens offers real-time eye autofocus and is optimized for seamless video recording, ensuring reliable and accurate focus tracking. This makes it one of the best lenses for large family portraits, as it maintains sharpness and clarity across multiple subjects.
Lightweight Build and Compact Design
Weighing just 540 grams with dimensions of 80.3mm x 102mm, the Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 AF is perfect for handheld use and photographers on the go. The wide F/1.4 aperture also allows excellent low-light performance, making it ideal for portrait sessions. Whether you’re capturing tight, telephoto portrait shots or experimenting with a wide lens portrait, this lens handles it all with ease.
Focusing and Magnification Capabilities
With a minimum focusing distance of 85cm and a magnification ratio of 0.1152x (0.12x), this lens offers solid versatility. The filter size is 67mm, aligning with industry standards for interchangeable lenses.
Sirui Telephoto Portrait Lens Price and Availability
The Sirui Aurora 85mm F/1.4 AF lens is now available on Amazon at an early bird price of $499 in the U.S. and £456 in the U.K. After the promotional period, the price will rise to $599. With its lightweight design, smooth autofocus, and versatility across mounts, the Aurora 85mm F/1.4 AF is not only an excellent telephoto portrait lens but also a go-to choice for those seeking a wide-angle portrait experience.
This lens stands out as one of the best lenses for large family portraits, thanks to its precision and ability to perform well under various lighting conditions. Whether you’re looking for a wide-angle for portraits or aiming for tighter, focused shots, the Sirui Aurora lens ensures quality and flexibility for photographers at every level.
Sirui recently launched the NightWalker 16mm T1.2 and 75mm T1.2 high-aperture cinema lenses, which were primarily designed for Super35 sensors. However, these lenses also offered compatibility with other sensor formats through adapters or speed boosters. This gave cinematographers greater flexibility in choosing their camera systems.
Sirui Aurora 85mm F1.4 Specifications
- Maximum aperture: F/1.4
- Minimum aperture: F/16
- Lens mounts: Sony E, FUJI X, Nikon Z, Leica L
- Lens format coverage: Full Frame
- Viewing angle: 28.64°
- Minimum focusing distance: 85 cm
- Maximum magnification: 0.12x
- Optical design: 14 elements in 9 groups
- Special elements: ED X1, ASH X1, HR X3
- Aperture blades: 15
- Focus type: Autofocus
- Image stabilization: No
- Filter size: M 67X0.75
- Dimensions: (ø x L) 80.3 mm x 102 mm
- Weight: 540 grams
