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Best Samyang Lenses

| Uncategorized | January 1, 1970

Best Samyang Lenses

For many years photographers have been well aware of Korean lens maufacturer Samyang, at that time a range of high quality, keenly priced manual focus lenses. Not only that, but a range that offered all sorts of interesting focal lengths that were well out of the reach of many amateurs. Five years ago Samyang made a sea-change by introducing AF lenses to the range, and hit the ground running without a doubt as the new lenses raised the game as well. Now the lenses were competing with the best, offering new heights in the balance between cost and performance. Professional photographers are taking to the quality and rendering of the Samyang AF range and also discovering some interesting design features that enhance the user experience.

There are now also a new range of Second-Generation AF lenses, which are scoring very highly in our lens reviews. 

Shop for Samyang lenses on Amazon

Samyang AF 75mm F/1.8 X

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 75mm F/1.8 X

The new lens combines impeccable technical performance with great handling. There is even a bonus for videographers with the smooth, silent aperture control. More than that, there is the beautiful rendering of images, both in terms of well-balanced crispness and smooth, satisfying bokeh. Looking at the various parameters that we routinely measure, the lens comes up trumps in every case, and frankly, there are no negative points at all. The only reasons not to go for this would be specific requirements that a photographer might have, for example wanting an aperture ring, or wanting a macro lens.

A clear ‘Editor’s Choice’.

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Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 FE II

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 FE II

Lenses can still show character, even in these days of computer design and the chasing of resolution figures and sharpness. This is the “pixie dust” that we say has been sprinkled on those optics that produce something special, over and above all the technical measurements. What is even rarer is the achievement of such high sharpness as the new Samyang lens without sacrificing any of that magic something that makes a good lens great.

Sometimes slight imperfections can help with this, so wide open the visible vignetting is a boon when shooting portraits, where we can enjoy the crisp sharpness whilst the background bokeh is utterly silky and the corners offer an aesthetic darkening that helps to frame the subject. Close down slightly and that effect is replaced by as much overall sharpness as we could wish for, but the beautiful bokeh remains.

So, a beautiful lens for portraits, a precisely rectilinear lens for architecture, a whisper-quiet operation for videography, a fast maximum aperture for low light shooting, and we have a lovely optic that has to be an ‘Editor’s Choice’.

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Samyang AF 35mm F/1.4 FE II

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 35mm F/1.4 FE II

It is well established that Samyang make excellent lenses and this new version of the already desirable 35mm f/1.4 continues that path of high quality and keen prices. To the original specification, we now have two modes added, as well as a focus lock switch, weather sealing and optical performance that has kept pace with the general increase in MP counts. There is no vibration reduction built-in, but the Sony cameras have SteadyShot inside the camera bodies so that works very well.

Samyang has done it again, achieving an enviable balance between quality and cost that is a winning combination and duly receives the accolade of Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II

Samyang makes some great lenses, and the new 50mm f/1.4 FE II is an excellent example of that. It performs to an excellent high standard, it works smoothly, is weather-resistant and is reasonably priced. A 50mm lens is such a straightforward proposition and many photographers will always carry one, even those who are dedicated zoom users. In low light, it’s a winner, and for a general view of the world as we see it unsurpassed. It is also good to see videography being catered for, with the option of a silent aperture control.

It is a lovely lens to use and is ‘Highly Recommended’.

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Samyang AF 135mm F/1.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 135mm F/1.8 FE

The lens offers lovely, crisp images with smooth, pleasing bokeh as well. This is an indication that the lens is sharp but not so cruelly sharp as to make it uncomfortable as a portrait lens nor is it so over-sharp that the bokeh becomes relatively ragged. No, this one is as smooth as silk, a lovely performer, as slick as the beautifully engineered lens mount that bayonets onto the Sony A7R III.

Add to this low distortion and CA, close focusing, superb flare control and hardly any vignetting and the result is a very well-put-together lens at a very attractive price. Some may find 135mm slightly long for some subjects, but the rest of this range also includes a 75mm, so there are other options if needed.

In summary, a great lens at a great price and ‘Highly Recommended’.

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Samyang AF 24-70mm F/2.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 24-70mm F/2.8 FE

A sound AF zoom lens from Samyang and one that has some useful features built-in, such as the silent aperture control ring option and the parfocal zoom design. Clearly, attention has been focused on videographers as well as stills photographers. The finish is good throughout. The only downsides are the rather stiff zoom control, the bulkiness and the weight.

Performance is generally very good, with the centre being of a high order of sharpness and the edges somewhat weaker. The lens needs stopping down for the most uniform results. There are also advantages as a portrait lens to having a softer wide open performance at the edges. Distortion is very obvious at 24mm but well-controlled elsewhere. Flare control is impressive.

Overall, a useful lens that performs soundly and at a competitive price and one that can be ‘Recommended’.

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Samyang AF 12mm F/2 X

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 12mm F/2 X

It’s ultrawide, it’s fast, it has crisp AF performance and it offers a very high level of performance. There is huge potential in such a lens, especially as it fits seamlessly into the operation of the Fujifilm camera body.

It is actually good to see so many small, high-performance prime lenses coming into the market; perhaps a refreshing change from huge, heavy optics that defy the logic of having small, compact camera bodies.

Another fine lens from Samyang, and ‘Highly Recommended’.

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SamyangAF 12mm f/2 E

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E

This is a very useful ultra-wide lens for Sony APS-C E fit cameras, priced very advantageously as well. The edges are not as sharp as the centre, although using f/4 or f/5.6 will result in the highest level of sharpness across the image field. There is quite a bit more CA than we have become used to, but this is correctable in software.

The only real issues are the handling issues that stem more from the diminutive size of the camera body, certainly in the case of the Sony A5100 used for this review, and this is likely to not be an issue with other Sony camera bodies. The overall conclusion though is that the Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E lens is well priced, offers an almost uniquely wide field of view and performs very well. Highly recommended.

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Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE

The lens is compact, light, offers superb sharpness and lovely bokeh. What’s not to like about such an optic? There are some signs of CA and some barrel distortion, not too excessive and correctable anyway in camera or in software. The 24mm focal length is just so useful, not only for astrophotography and landscapes but the whole gamut of traditional ultra-wide applications such as street, architecture, interiors and much more. For many years I used mainly 24mm and 100mm lenses as a mainstay of my own photography. We can add to that a small range of matching f/1.8 primes that complement the 24mm perfectly as a set.

The performance is superb, the price is right, the handling is superb. An obvious win for the Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE lens and an Editor’s choice from us.

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Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE

Samyang has been consistently producing excellent lenses at excellent prices for a very long time, building an enviable reputation. The manual focus lenses have always been superb VFM, but the new AF range has brought an even higher standard, along with the convenience of reliable AF.

35mm has long been a favoured focal length for documentary/reportage/street photography and it’s clear to see why. The lenses are compact and unobtrusive. They allow close approach to the subjects. They have just slightly more angle of view and depth of field than the standard 50mm optics. The price is highly competitive.

With this 35mm AF f/1.8 FE lens, Samyang has done it yet again and produced a cracking lens, opening up their clear advantages to the Sony mirrorless full-frame cameras. Highly recommended.

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Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2

Overall Rating

Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2

The Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 can be tough to focus using an optical viewfinder but is saved by extensive depth of field, and excellent and accurate focus if using Live View. The lens is weather-sealed, which is almost a requirement these days, and gives impressive optical performance in terms of sharpness in particular.

The end results are fantastic and using the hyperfocal distance technique there is almost no need to focus, which goes some way to offset any difficulty finding the focus point. It’s a great lens overall, but some may find the handling a bit on the slow side. In summary, the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 offers fantastic value, impressive performance and is Highly Recommended.

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Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2

Overall Rating

Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2

There is much to like about any 85mm f/1.4 lens and the new Samyang ticks almost all of the boxes. The only caveat is for those who might prefer an AF lens, and then Samyang have an offering for just a couple of hundred pounds more should it be preferred.

However, the new Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 lens also delivers a splendid overall performance and it is basically just a lovely lens. On the basis of its performance, its ease of use and its very modest price tag it has to be an Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 RF

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 RF

Samyang have clearly done it again, with the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 RF lens. They have produced a lens with superb performance at a very reasonable price level. It is well made, handles beautifully and combines high levels of sharpness with a beautiful, smooth bokeh effect. This is ideal for portraiture, and wide open the lens also offers a lovely, subtle vignetting effect that could be an ideal enhancement for portraits.

Obviously any 85mm can be used for many other subjects that just portraiture, and here we have an almost perfectly rectilinear lens that would be ideal for architectural shots, as well as street photography, landscapes, close-range sports, low light, in fact almost any area.

We might miss IS, we might miss the ability to place the lens/camera on top of a nearby wall or other support for stability as it will wobble about, but a bean bag would sort that. We do have weather resistance, so there is no impediment to venturing out into the rain with that wide, fast aperture to capture the special, vivid colours that bad weather can bring. Definitely Highly Recommended.

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Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE

Whether the photographer sees this as an unusually long standard lens or as a slightly shorter portrait lens, the 75mm length proves in use to be very equitable. We can approach our portrait subjects quite closely, but not so close as to cause distortion of the features. On the other hand, as a general-purpose lens there is some merit in having a longer focal length and having more space in which to work. In a similar way, 100mm macro lenses tend to be more popular than 50mm ones.

As for performance, this is just exemplary, the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE is an outstanding lens indeed. Along with a moderate, realistic price tag, compact size and great handling, the only caveat is the lack of sealing against water and dust. This still leaves us with a superb lens and an obvious Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF

14mm lenses for full frame cameras are not the easiest to handle from a compositional point of view, but once mastered they can certainly help to make very dramatic, powerful images. There are also certain practical subjects, such as architectural interiors, where an ultra-wide lens is essential just to get everything into the frame. The Samyang lens brings all of this to Canon’s EOS R system and gets firmly into the marketplace ahead of anyone else. Not only that, but the price is great as well. Absolutely an Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE

There is so much on the plus side for the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE lens – it’s affordable, really sharp, focuses fast and produces crisp, attractive images. Handling is superb.

The only question marks are over the lack of weather resistance and the amount of flare against the light, but if these can be accepted then, especially at the price, the lens is a remarkable and highly desirable, compact and efficient lens. Highly recommended.

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Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE

With a high level of performance and a pleasing character, the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens has plenty of potential to become a favourite. There are some parameters that may need some additional correction in software, not really an issue as the solutions are there. It is light and compact and generally just delivers the goods in a simple, discrete package. When used for street photography, it can be an advantage to use an unobtrusive lens.

There is some flare and there is no weather sealing, so these are a couple of disadvantages, but to be absolutely fair, the price tag is a very attractive one and generally, the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens is a delight to use. Highly recommended.

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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE is a lovely lens to use, from the moment we look at the images on the screen or through the viewfinder. Selective depth of field makes manual focusing a breeze, subjects sing out against a beautifully diffused background. The Samyang is also gloriously smooth in operation, totally unobtrusive and a real photographer’s lens, where the camera becomes an extension of the photographer and does not intrude on the subject. The price is also very attractive, so Samyang fully deserves the accolade of Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8 ED UMC CS

Overall Rating

Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8 ED UMC CS

There are so many excellent lenses, and the Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8 ED UMC CS is another one. Fantastic quality, very nicely made, excellent price, compact and light… the only thing not to like is that focusing can be a bit tricky. However, to be fair, this depends also on the actual camera used. If used on a tripod with careful, magnified focusing, then the results possible from this lens are exemplary.

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Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 F

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 F

With a highly competitive price tag, high quality all around and an especially fine optical performance, the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 lens for Nikon F certainly more than justifies its cost. Against the competition, it holds its head up high and hits a very sweet price/performance point that makes it a very serious contender for those seeking a 14mm lens. A definite Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 EF

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 EF

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 EF is a great lens to use, not perfect in that there are some AF issues close up and also quite a bit of edge CA, but overall a good solid performing lens at a very attractive price.

In the end, it’s the results that count and the ease of use of the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 lens lends itself to producing some excellent photography. Without a doubt, it can be recommended.

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Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE

Overall Rating

Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE

We seem to have gone full circle and classic prime lenses, once the only choice, are seemingly being rediscovered and once again becoming highly sought after. Compact, high quality and reasonable priced it is not difficult to see why. The optical designs have in some cases benefited from modern technologies and glasses and they can comfortably surpass the performance of their predecessors.

This is where we find the Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 lens – superb performance, compact size, excellent price and a compelling focal length to use. There’s nothing to dislike, everything to like and an obvious Editor’s Choice.

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Samyang XP 50mm f/1.2

Overall Rating

Samyang XP 50mm f/1.2

There is very little difference in brightness between a f/1.4 and f/1.2 lens. The wider aperture also means more difficulty in focusing, but only because the point of focus is so fine. In reality, if used carefully with magnifying aids then it is highly accurate. The lens is also very bulky and very heavy, certainly quite huge compared to a conventional 50mm f/1.4.

However, the price is reasonable and the standard is very high, so there are clear benefits for those for whom the difference is significant. In any event, the performance is exemplary.

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Looking For More Buying Inspiration? 

Take a look at our other Buyer’s Guides which include top lists featuring various lenses, must-buy smartphones, top camera recommendations and more. 


Source: Photography News
Best Samyang Lenses
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