During the IBC show in Amsterdam, Chinese lens manufacturer SongRAW has announced the Moonlit 85mm f/1.2, a large-aperture autofocus lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. This is the company’s second lens, following the Moonlit 50mm f/1.2 introduced earlier in 2025. The lens later debuted at NAB in Las Vegas, earlier this year.

The Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 is constructed from 18 optical elements arranged in 10 groups, including one aspherical element, five extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, and 11 high-refractive (HR) elements. A Nano-Coating has also been applied to the optical surfaces to reduce flare and ghosting. The aperture diaphragm consists of 13 blades, allowing control between f/1.2 and f/16, and can be adjusted via an external ring that includes a de-click option for video use.

The lens weighs approximately 1.5 kilograms, making it significantly heavier than most competing 85mm f/1.2 lenses, such as Canon’s RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM (1.195 kg) or Nikon’s Z 85mm f/1.2 S. SongRAW attributes the weight to the complex optical configuration and the use of aerospace-grade aluminum for the housing. The minimum focusing distance is 0.85 meters, with a maximum magnification of 0.13x.

Autofocus is powered by a stepping motor (STM) coupled with a lead-screw system. The company states that the system supports precision focusing and eye-tracking for both humans and animals, though further testing will be required to confirm its performance.

The Moonlit designation refers to the lens’s wide f/1.2 aperture, which is suited for low-light photography and portrait work. In fact, the company describes 85mm as an optimal focal length for portraits, but the lens can also serve in other contexts, such as shallow-depth-of-field video applications.

The Moonlit 85mm f/1.2 will be available for Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount first, with an L-mount version expected later. It will cost approximately $1,299 and is expected to become available by the end of 2025.