Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE – Review at Opticallimits: “The resolution is among the best that we have seen in this lens class”

November 12, 2019
reviews
0 Comments

Opticallimits tested the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens and concludes:

To be very honest with you – we didn’t have the highest expectations but the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE smashed them – mostly. The resolution is among the best that we have seen in this lens class. It’s already sharp at f/1.4 and downright superb from f/2. Lateral CAs are very moderate, less so LoCAs (Bokeh fringing) albeit that’s still rather normal these days. Distortions are next to non-existent when using image auto-correction but just on a medium level in RAW mode. Vignetting is visible at f/1.4 even with auto-correction (much more so in RAW mode) but not much of an issue beyond. The quality of the bokeh is good but not brilliant. This is not limited to the Samyang though – the Sony/Zeiss FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA is actually worse in this respect.
The build quality is impressive but stays just short of professional-grade expectations. Namely, weather-sealing is absent and the finish doesn’t feel premium. That being said the all-metal construction is solid. The AF speed is fast and it’s near-silent. While the focus ring is very smooth to handle, the actual focusing is a bit on the coarse side in manual (by-wire) mode.
Overall Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE represents an outstanding value and it’s awesome to see that Samyang aims to provide this level of quality in a high-speed lens to a broader audience. Just watch out for sample variations.

Samyang really stepped up the game and their latest FE lenses are a great choice!

Links to all Samyang/Rokinon FF E-mount AF lenses:
14mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
18mm f/2.8 FE at BHphoto, Adorama.
24mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
35mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
35mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
45mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
50mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
85mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.