Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE is bokeh-tastic portrait lens for Sony A7 users

Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE
(Image credit: Tokina)

Tokina has launched a new line of lenses which are designed to offer affordable lenses for mirrorless cameras. The first of these, the Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 is a fast but affordable portrait prime for the Sony full-frame cameras, which has just gone on sale.

While the new lens is only being produced for the Sony mount, Tokina says the atx-m range will eventually include lenses “for multiple mounts and sensor formats”, likely including Canon’s RF and Nikon’s Z mounts, as well as the L-mount used by Leica, Sigma and Panasonic cameras.

• See Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 review 

Tokina is keen to point out that the atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE is designed to Sony’s specifications, and so like native E-mount lenses will support camera functions such as autofocus – including Sony’s Eye AF – in-body image stabilization and manual focus assist.

The lens features an optical design made up of 10 glass elements in seven groups, including one SD low dispersion element, and Tokina’s Super Low Reflection Multi-coating, which is designed to minimize ghosting and flare and repel oil and moisture. Tokina says the atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE delivers “natural color and excellent contrast” and “corner-to-corner resolution”. The lens has an nine bladed iris.

(Image credit: Tokina)

An all-metal focusing unit and ST-M motor are said to ensure smooth, fast and quite autofocus. While the lens is ideal for portraiture – Tokina calls it a ‘bokeh monster’, it’s also suitable for street and landscape photography. The lens weights 645g and has a 72mm filter thread.

The Tokina atx-m 85mm f/1.8 FE has just gone on sale and is priced at £489/$499.

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Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 


His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 11 Pro.


He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.