When photographers talk about portraits, one number always comes up: 85 mm. The reason? This focal length combines three crucial factors that make it so special.
With an 85mm lens , you photograph from a distance of about 1.5 to 3 meters. This is the ideal working distance because it's far enough to give your model space and create a natural atmosphere, yet close enough for a personal connection. No distorted noses like with a wide-angle lens, no excessive compression like with a telephoto lens.
The slight compression at 85 mm creates flattering proportions. Facial features appear more harmonious, noses seem narrower, and the relationship between foreground and background is pleasingly rendered. This is not manipulation, but simply corresponds to how our eyes perceive people in real life.
At f/1.8 and an 85mm focal length, a very shallow depth of field is achieved. Your subject is razor-sharp, while the background blurs into a creamy softness. This bokeh effect automatically draws the viewer's eye to what's essential: the eyes, the expression, the emotion of your model.
What the professionals say
Stephan Wiesner, an experienced professional photographer and portrait photography specialist, directly compared the Rollei lens with his Sony 85mm f/1.8 , which costs about twice as much. His verdict is clear: "Optically, the two lenses are almost indistinguishable, even upon close inspection on a monitor."
What particularly impresses him is the bokeh. "The creamy, appealing background blur creates the characteristic look of high-quality portrait photography and alone justifies the purchase for anyone who has only ever photographed with kit lenses."
A critical point with fast lenses is sharpness at wide apertures. Stephan notes: "The sharpness in the center of the image is already very good at f/1.8 – exactly what you need for portraits." At the edges of the image, he shows... As expected, the lens is slightly less sharp at f/1.8 , but this improves quickly when stopping down. For classic portrait photography, where the main subject is centrally located, this is completely unproblematic.
The autofocus works quickly and precisely. In combination with modern Sony cameras, animal and eye detection also works flawlessly.
Mario Dirks, who travels the world as a workshop leader and photographs in metropolises from New York to Sydney, has a completely different focus: mobility. "Since I travel a lot by plane for my workshops, weight is a particularly important aspect."
Weighing in at just 477 grams, the Rollei 85mm is a true lightweight. Compared to its predecessor, which weighed a hefty 1.2 kg, it saves more than half the weight – a crucial advantage for travel photographers.
Mario invited model Katharina to test the lens under professional studio conditions. "I was thrilled after seeing the first images directly on the monitor." The bokeh at the widest aperture of f/1.8 impressed with its pleasantly soft rendering, without any distracting chromatic aberrations – color fringing that often occurs with inexpensive lenses.
The performance becomes even more impressive at slightly stopped-down settings: "Stopped down a bit to F/2.8, the lens unfolds its full potential. Here, the well-thought-out design of the lens is revealed in all its glory."
The short minimum focusing distance of just 85 cm enables beautiful close-ups and fully exploits the bokeh. The automatic eye focus works quickly and precisely – essential for working smoothly with models. Mario's conclusion: "Overall, I'm very happy with the lens. It's lightweight, well-made , and does exactly what a good portrait lens should do: take beautiful pictures! "
Stefanie from @baileys.photo.graphy sums it up perfectly: "New lens – new love! I've tested my new 85mm f/1.8 and I'm simply thrilled! The lens impresses with fantastic image quality, beautiful bokeh , and truly unbeatable value for money. "
Marius Krey sums up his experience simply: "I've taken several portraits and the sharpness and bokeh are truly amazing."
Versatile use: From studio to action
The Rollei 85 mm F/1.8 It's not just for the studio. Simone von Kamen used it for action portraits with Hyrox world champion Martin Michelius: "Razor-sharp, bright and with ultra-fast autofocus – perfect for capturing power & character in detail."
Sports and action portraits require more than just good optics. The autofocus must react quickly, the camera must track reliably, and the lens must focus in fractions of a second. The Rollei 85 mm It delivers here – not as a dedicated sports lens, but definitely as a versatile companion for dynamic portraits.
Regine Heuser initially tested the lens outdoors for action and portrait photography and was so impressed that she also took it to the studio. "Now it's allowed in the studio, and I'm once again very happy with the image quality." The lens's versatility – both indoors and outdoors – makes all the difference for her. "It's handy, fast, and a great addition to my camera bag. "
The complete package
Jonas Schröder has thoroughly tested the lens and highlights several points: "Thanks to its fast aperture, the lens is ideally suited for portrait photography. The subject isolation effect impressively separates the subject from the background and creates a soft and natural bokeh. "
He finds it particularly impressive: "Even wide open, the lens delivers excellent sharpness. " The large aperture truly shines in low light. Jonas also praises the build quality: " The lens also scores points for its manufacturing quality, compact size , and light weight. Furthermore, the Sony version features a manual aperture ring and a customizable function button."
Jonas's concluding remarks sum it up perfectly: "Ultimately, the Rollei 85mm F/1.8 impresses with its strong overall package for photographers who value image quality and ease of use at an attractive price. This lens is definitely worth a look!"
Whether you're a professional photographer looking for a lightweight travel lens , or a beginner taking your first steps in portrait photography – the Rollei 85mm F/1.8 It's a tool that grows with you. It becomes a companion, an extension of your vision, a tool that doesn't get in the way, but inspires.
