Samyang has proven over the past few years that great optics can be relatively inexpensive. Samyang products are not flawless, non-autofocus, non-paphos, but they return a lot of image for every ruble invested.
Samyang 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC
I’ve been wanting to get to know the Samyang 35/1.4 ED AS UMC. The reason is simple: the CanonEF 35/1.4L USM I like very much, so I wanted to see what Samyang had to offer for three times less. How much more expensive it’s hard to say because of the wonders of pricing – Samyang 35/1.4 seriously differ in price: for Bower 35/1.4 clones are priced at $450 for the Vivitar 35/1.4 – 480 dollars, for Rokinon 35/1.4 – $500 . The lens was announced in September 2010, and it was the fourth lens in the company’s lineup.
Technical Specifications
| Optical Design: | 12 elements in 10 groups, including 1 aspherical and 2HR high refraction element |
| Angle of field of view diagonal : | 63.2 degrees |
| Aperture range: | f/1.4 – f/22 |
| Number of aperture blades: | 8 |
| Minimum focus distance: | 30 cm |
| Light Filter Diameter: | 77 mm |
| Dimensions: | 83*111 mm |
| Weight: | 660 grams |
| The lens is available in options: | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A/Minolta, Pentax K, 4/3, Samsung NX |
Geometric distortions
Samyang35/1.4EDASUMC showed barrel distortion of 1.5%. Very good result for a lens with such focal length. Distortion shape is correct, easy to straighten in post-processing.
Sharpness and resolution
In short, I would say the Samyang lenses are “good value lenses where the inconvenience of manual focusing pays off in terms of sharpness”. Samyang 35/1.4 ED AS UMC is no exception: the lens is a bit soft at the fully open aperture and will be a bit irritating with some drop in contrast, but already at f/2.8 Samyang is fully operable with excellent uniformity across the entire image field.
Chromatic aberrations
Samyang 35/1.4ED AS UMC performed surprisingly convincingly. At fully open aperture, chromatic aberration at the edges of the frame can reach a width of 1.8 pixels, which is noticeable in critical situations. Already at f/2.8 level drops to a completely comfortable 0.9 pixels.
Focus
I already praised the manual focus ring. I should add that the ring travel is a convincing 145 degrees, which is quite enough for accurate and precise focusing, and LiveView will save you from mistakes and inconvenience if you have time .
Backlight, Picture and Bokeh
Samyang 35/1.4ED AS UMC does a very good job with difficult light sources. Artifacts may appear in the opposite corner of the image from the source, but do not lead to a serious drop in contrast. Nevertheless, it is recommended to use the hood it’s included in the package, thank goodness .
…It has no equal in price competition:
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Canon EF 35/1.4L USM offered for $1,480
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Nikon AF-S35/1.4G for $ 1,650
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Nikon Ais 35/1.4 for 1100
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Sony SAL 35/1.4G-for $1,500
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ZeissDistagonT35/1.4 – for an immodest $1,845 – more than 4 times that.
Full test of the Samyang 35/1 lens.4ED AS UMC read on fotosky
Can you provide some insights on the overall performance and image quality of the Samyang 35mm f/1 lens? I’m particularly interested in hearing about its sharpness, autofocus capabilities, and how it performs in low-light conditions. Additionally, it would be helpful to know if there are any notable strengths or weaknesses compared to other similar lenses in this price range. Thanks in advance!
The Samyang 35mm f/1 lens offers excellent overall performance and image quality. Its sharpness is impressive, especially when used at wider apertures like f/1. The lens produces images with a beautiful depth-of-field and creamy bokeh, making it ideal for portrait photography.
In terms of autofocus capabilities, it is important to note that this lens is manual focus only. However, once you get used to manual focusing, it becomes easy and precise. Moreover, the lens is built well and feels sturdy.
In low-light conditions, the f/1 aperture allows for excellent light-gathering capabilities, resulting in sharp and well-exposed images. The lens performs admirably in dimly lit environments, making it suitable for low-light photography.
Compared to other lenses in this price range, the Samyang 35mm f/1 lens offers exceptional value for money. While it lacks autofocus, the sharpness and low-light performance make up for it. It may not have the same brand recognition as some other lenses, but it easily competes with them in terms of quality. However, it is important to consider personal preferences and shooting style before making a final decision.
Can you please provide more information on the performance and image quality of the Samyang 35 mm f/1 lens? How does it compare to other lenses in its range?
Can you provide more information about the review and testing process of the Samyang 35 mm f/1 lens? What were the key findings and performance aspects that were highlighted? Were there any notable drawbacks or limitations mentioned? Overall, how would you rate this lens in terms of image quality and versatility for various photography genres?