Rollei announced June 12th 2025 the development of their first proprietary lens: the Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 for Sony FE and Nikon Z. With the new VAF (Full-Frame Autofocus) series, the long-established manufacturer known for the Rollei 35 film camera lineup is expanding its portfolio to include proprietary lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Their first lens, the Rollei AF 85mm F/1.8, boasts an impressive F/1.8 aperture, precise STM autofocus, and a robust all-metal housing — developed for discerning photographers and videographers who expect the highest image quality at an attractive price.
What is the Rollei AF 85mm F/1.8
The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8, available for Sony FE and Nikon Z mounts. With the introduction of the VAF (Full-Frame Autofocus) series, the company is expanding its product portfolio with its first proprietary lenses specifically developed for modern mirrorless full-frame cameras. The 85-millimeter portrait lens combines proven Rollei quality with state-of-the-art technology and sets new standards in image quality and user-friendliness.
85mm Focal Length
85-millimeter focal length lenses are designed to be ideal for portrait photography, delivering natural proportions without distortion. The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 makes optimal use of this classic focal length and, thanks to its F/1.8 aperture, delivers sharp results even at wide open aperture.
Eleven aperture blades create a creamy, perfectly round bokeh that elegantly separates the main subject from the background and enables professional portraits with impressive depth of field.
The innovative HFT-X (High Fidelity Transfer) coating significantly reduces ghosting and flare while preserving natural contrast. Combined with the high-quality glass selection of 10 elements in 7 groups, including two ED and two HR lenses, the lens ensures high edge sharpness and minimizes chromatic aberrations for brilliant image quality right to the corners.
The precise STM (stepping motor) autofocus operates quickly and virtually silently , which is particularly beneficial for video recording. Face and eye tracking are fully supported, making the lens an ideal choice for both photography and videography. The minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters at a maximum magnification of 0.12× also enables detailed close-up shots.
This Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 weighs just 477 grams and sits perfectly balanced in the hand. Intuitive operation is ensured by a high-quality metal aperture ring (Sony FE version only), an AF/MF switch, and a freely assignable FN button. The linear aperture ring on the Sony version enables smooth, silent aperture adjustments for professional video recordings.
Both lenses feature a precise metal mount (E-mount and Z-mount, respectively) with full EXIF data transfer and a USB-C firmware port for fast updates in just 30 seconds. The 62mm filter thread is compatible with all common filters from major companies.
Availability
The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 for Sony FE and Nikon Z is now available for pre-order for €299 (RRP €349) at www.rollei.de/rollei-objektiv. The official sales launch is July 9, 2025. Delivery of pre-ordered lenses will begin no later than July 7, 2025, ensuring pre-orderers receive the new lens before its market launch.
View more details about this lens from the Rollei website here.
