ZLY Technology RF 85mm f/1.8 APS-C

Cheap 85mm that's actually a decent macro lens but a terrible portrait lens. Manual focus only, harsh bokeh, and a portrait score that'll make you wince.

The macro score is the one bright spot here, landing in the 93rd percentile. That's genuinely surprising for a lens this cheap. The 85mm minimum focus distance and 6-blade aperture give you some real close-up potential. But the aperture and bokeh scores are dead last, 1st percentile. That f/1.8 max aperture sounds fast, but the 6-blade diaphragm and basic optical design mean the background blur is harsh and busy, not the dreamy stuff you see in marketing photos. Stabilization is solid at the 80th percentile, which helps with manual focus at 85mm.

The Sony E PZ 16-50mm and Canon EF-S 55-250mm are both zooms, so they're not direct competitors, but they show what you give up for this price. The Viltrox Air 25mm f/1.7 Z and Sigma 16mm f/1.4 are wider and have autofocus, which makes them far more practical for everyday shooting. The KD-8518C only makes sense if you specifically need an 85mm focal length and you're willing to work for every shot.

At $92 to $97 USD, this is one of the cheapest ways to get an 85mm prime on RF mount. But cheap doesn't mean good value. The portrait performance is so weak that you're basically paying for a macro lens with a portrait focal length. If you want an 85mm for actual portraits, save your money for something with autofocus and better optics.

The ZLY Technology KD-8518C is a dirt cheap 85mm f/1.8 manual focus lens for Canon RF bodies. It's the kind of lens you buy when you want that creamy portrait look without spending Canon money. But here's the thing: it's fully manual, has no electronic contacts, and our database puts its portrait score at a rough 18.9 out of 100. That's not a typo. This is a niche tool for people who enjoy the process of focusing, not for anyone who needs to nail a moving subject.

If you're looking for a portrait lens with autofocus, this isn't it. Go get a used Canon RF 85mm f/2 or adapt an EF 85mm f/1.8 instead. If you want something that just works out of the box, this manual focus lens will drive you nuts.

Skip it unless you're a manual focus enthusiast who wants a cheap macro lens. The portrait performance is a real letdown, and the lack of autofocus makes this a frustrating lens for most people. If you're serious about portraits on RF mount, save up for a used Canon RF 85mm f/2 or adapt an EF 85mm f/1.8 with autofocus.