§ 03 Head to head
Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD vs Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8
Tamron 85mm f/1.8 focuses 5 cm closer. Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 is 240 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is an 85mm f/1.8 prime, and the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 is an 85mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
01
Key differences
Why is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better than the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.8 m vs 0.85 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
Why is the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better than the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- 240 g lighter (460 g vs 700 g)
- 4 mm shorter (81 mm vs 84.8 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 240 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
03
Specification
| Specification | Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD | Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/18 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 700 g (24.69 oz) | 460 g (16.23 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 91.3 x 84.8 mm | 79.5 x 81 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.8 m (31.50 inches) ◆ | 0.85 m (33.46 inches) |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements / 9 groups | 9 elements / 6 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2016 | 2016 |
04
Size
- A · Tamron
- B · Yongnuo
- 84.8 × 91.3 mm
- 81 × 79.5 mm
The Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is 4 mm longer and 240 g heavier than the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8.
05
Sample frames
Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?
- The Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 weighs 460 g, 240 g less than the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD (700 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?
- The Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD focuses down to 0.8 m, against 0.85 m for the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8.
- Do the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD and the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 have image stabilization?
- Only the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 240 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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