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Sirui’s rising stars TESTED: SIRUI AURORA 35MM F/1.4 & 85MM F/1.4
THE A TEAM This Aurora prime pair from Sirui provide solid performance and are ideal for stills or video use
Specifications
85mm (35mm in brackets where different) Mount Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica L and Fujifilm X Image coverage Full-frame Aperture f/1.4-16 Aperture blades 15 rounded (13) Construction 14 elements in 9 groups; 1 aspherical, 2 ED and 3 HRI glass elements (16 elements in 11 groups; 3 aspherical, 2 ED and 2 HRI glass elements) Minimum focusing 85cm (35cm) Filter size 67mm (62mm) Dimensions (wxl) 80.3x101.7mm (76x102.9mm) Weight 540g (490g) Sony G Master or Sigma alternatives, its blend of compact size, price and image character makes it very appealing. The rendering is one of the lens’s standout qualities, with a more organic look rather than being bitingly oversharp. Autofocus performance on both proves great. Fast apertures can expose weaknesses in focusing systems, but the two Auroras perform confidently for portraits, events and everyday
£549 sirui.com The accessible Aurora 35mm and 85mm f/1.4 primes prove Sirui is becoming a serious contender
The 35mm and 85mm pairing has long been a favourite duo among many photographers. One lens excels for street, documentary, travel and environmental portraiture, while the other is the classic portrait focal length. Together, they cover a massive range of photographic situations. The first thing that impresses is build quality. Both lenses feature all- metal construction, weather sealing, lockable aperture rings and dedicated AF/MF switches. The 35mm weighs around 490g while the 85mm comes in at a surprisingly manageable 540g, making it lighter than many rival f/1.4 designs. On modern mirrorless bodies, they feel just right. In use, the 35mm proves itself to be a highly versatile optic. The focal length remains very useful, equally at home capturing street scenes, landscapes and everyday life. Sharpness is impressive, especially in the centre of the frame, with performance improving further as the lens is stopped down. Colour
rendition and contrast are also strong, producing images that look punchy straight out of camera. The biggest attraction might be the rendering. Like many successful fast primes, the 35mm isn’t simply about technical perfection – it also offers attractive background blur and smooth transitions between sharp and out-of-focus areas that give images a distinctive character. Bokeh is one of its strongest features, as you’d hope for with a lens of this type. The 85mm follows a similar philosophy. Portrait photographers in particular will appreciate its ability to isolate subjects against beautifully blurred backgrounds. The lens uses a 15-blade aperture to create smooth bokeh and delivers the kind of shallow depth-of-field photographers seek from an 85mm f/1.4. Image quality is great, with strong sharpness and attractive rendering. While it doesn’t match the supreme resolving power of the most expensive
Sirui has a good reputation for well-made and affordable
tripods and video accessories, but the Chinese brand has also been building an impressive lens line-up. And its full- frame autofocus Aurora prime series is perhaps its most interesting project yet for keen photographers. The latest addition is the 35mm f/1.4, joining the existing 85mm f/1.4 Aurora – two fast primes designed for Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica L and Fujifilm X mounts. They offer an enticing blend of wide apertures, premium construction and competitive pricing that undercuts first-party alternatives and many budget brands at £549 each.
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