These are the best Rokinon telephoto lenses when you want budget-friendly reach, fast apertures for separation, and cine-ready mechanics without hauling giant glass—and here’s what to look for as you buy: decide whether you need autofocus (Sony E users get strong AF options) or prefer long, buttery manual throws (classic Rokinon strength); check sensor coverage (full-frame vs APS-C) and working distance; favor faster T/ƒ values (T1.5–T2.2 / ƒ1.4–ƒ2) for portraits, indoor events, and low light; evaluate focus breathing if you shoot video; make sure the lens weight and front diameter fit your rig, matte box, or gimbal; look for declicked, geared cine housings (0.8-mod) with consistent gear positions across your set; consider tripod collar needs on longer lenses; plan for stabilization via your camera’s IBIS since most Rokinon teles are non-OIS; and, if you want extreme reach on a tight budget, understand the trade-offs of mirror/catadioptric telephotos (manual focus, fixed aperture, donut bokeh). The short-tele portrait staple is the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 (manual, many mounts) and its Cine DS/Cine DSX sibling at T1.5—both deliver creamy bokeh, long focus throws, and reliable, uniform cine mechanics; Sony shooters who want AF should look at the Samyang/Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 (FE), a compact, sharp, weather-sealed option that balances well on gimbals. For more compression with gorgeous falloff, the Rokinon 135mm f/2 ED UMC is a cult classic—razor sharp wide open, APO-leaning control of fringing, and a luxurious manual throw for stills and cine; video crews can grab the 135mm T2.2 Cine (same optics, proper gears and declicked iris) for repeatable racks with restrained breathing. Macro-meets-tele versatility comes from the Rokinon/Samyang 100mm f/2.8 Macro (and 100mm T3.1 Cine DS), offering true 1:1 detail for product and beauty plus flattering portraits when you step back. Stepping into premium housings, the XEEN 85mm T1.5 and XEEN/XEEN CF 135mm T2.2 (PL/EF/E) add longer throws, 95mm fronts for clamp-on matte boxes, solid markings, and tighter breathing for narrative and commercial sets. If you need featherweight AF tele on Sony for people, stage, or compressed street, the Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE (often sold under the Rokinon label in some regions) is a standout—fast AF, excellent sharpness, and beautiful bokeh—great when manual focus isn’t practical. Budget long-reach experiments are possible with Rokinon’s mirror teles (300mm f/6.3 mirror for mirrorless; 500mm f/8 and T-mount super-tele zooms): they deliver huge focal length for very little money and weight, but you’ll trade fixed aperture, manual focus, and donut highlights—useful for moon shots, distant skylines, and creative looks. Practical buyer tips: build around an 85/1.4 + 135/2 pair (or T1.5 + T2.2 Cine) for portraits, events, and compressed B-roll; add the 100mm macro (or T3.1 Cine) for product and beauty inserts; pick XEEN/XEEN CF if you want matched 95mm fronts and minimal breathing across a cine set; choose AF versions for fast-moving work on Sony bodies; and only reach for mirror teles when you truly need distance on a shoestring. Shooting tips: for stills, keep shutter speeds high (1/2×focal length or faster—IBIS helps), give your subject space from the background for bigger, smoother bokeh, and mind heat shimmer at long distances; for video, pre-mark focus distances, use a VND to hold shutter while staying near wide open, and test breathing before critical interviews or narrative racks. Whether you’re crafting cinematic headshots, isolating performers across a stage, shooting detail-rich product close-ups, or experimenting with ultra-cheap super-tele reach, the best Rokinon telephoto lenses combine fast glass, long, repeatable mechanics, and wallet-friendly pricing—so you get polished compression and consistent color without breaking your rig or your budget.