Rollei 85mm F/1.8 E-Mount: Professional Review with Mario Dirks

Mario Dirks, the portrait photography expert, shares his impressions

In the world of portrait photography, every detail matters – from perfect lighting to choosing the right lens. When we developed our new 85 mm F/1.8 E-Mount lens, we knew: Who better to test it than a true professional in people photography?

An Expert for Portraits

Mario Dirks has been a fixture in the German photography scene for many years. His passion for people photography has taken him not only across Germany but also to major cities around the world – from New York to Paris and Venice, and even to Sydney, Singapore, and Iceland. In addition to his impressive photo journeys, the experienced photographer regularly offers seminars and workshops where he shares his knowledge and techniques with ambitious photographers.

For Mario, portraits with an open aperture are more than just a subject – they are his passion. That's precisely why he was the perfect candidate to put our new 85 mm F/1.8 lens through its paces.

First Impression: Surprising Quality

"After opening the package, I was a bit surprised," Mario reports on his first impressions. The lens not only comes with a high-quality lens hood but also impresses with its premium metal housing. The professional is particularly impressed by its weight: At only 477 grams, the Rollei 85mm F/1.8 is a true lightweight – a crucial advantage for Mario, who travels a lot as a workshop leader. "Since I travel a lot by plane for my workshops, weight is a particularly important aspect," he explains. Compared to his previous 85mm F/1.2, which weighed a hefty 1.2 kg, he saves more than half the weight.

The Practical Test: Impressive Results in the Studio

The real test awaited in the studio: Mario invited model Katharina to test the lens under professional conditions. Even the first shots showed the potential of the new Rollei lens. "After just the first few pictures, which I could view directly on the monitor, I was thrilled," Mario summarizes his experience.

The bokeh at open aperture F/1.8 impressed with its pleasantly soft rendition, without disturbing chromatic aberrations. The performance becomes even more impressive when slightly stopped down: "Stopped down slightly 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."

Rollei 85 mm F/1.8 Objektiv

Practical Features that Impress

A particular highlight for Mario is the short minimum focusing distance of only 85 cm, which allows him to create very beautiful close-ups and fully exploit the wonderful bokeh – a feature invaluable in portrait photography. The automatic eye autofocus works quickly and precisely – important criteria for a professional like Mario, who often works with models and relies on a smooth workflow. Mario also finds the manual aperture ring and the freely assignable function button on the lens particularly interesting. These details show that not only optical quality but also practical handling was considered during development.

Rollei 85 mm F/1.8 Objektiv

A Professional's Verdict

Mario Dirks' judgment is clear: "Overall, I am very satisfied with the lens. It is light, well-made, and does exactly what a good portrait lens should do: Beautiful pictures!"

The excellent price-performance ratio is particularly highlighted: At a price of €299, the Rollei 85mm F/1.8 E-Mount lens offers professional quality at a very attractive price.

All sample photos Mario took during his test are, by the way, out of camera and not retouched – proof of the impressive image quality straight from the camera.