As this is a relatively wide lens, out-of-focus areas are not as extreme as on a more telephoto optic, so having a widest setting of f/1.4 is very useful. However, the character of out-of-focus areas (bokeh) is still an important consideration for those using this lens for its wider apertures, and here the quality is very good. Resolution chart Although it might sound counter-intuitive, one of the key features of this lens is that it’s a manual-focus optic. This is often favored for street photography, and the Samyang’s manual focusing facility is well implemented. There’s a long rotational travel in the focus rings, and a pleasant fluid feel to the movement, enabling smooth and precise focusing. There’s also a focus distance scale with depth of field markings for apertures of f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11, f/16 and f/22, which are great for zone focusing, so you can set the nearest and furthest parts in a scene which will be rendered sharply. The lens is supplied with a detachable petal shaped lens hood, lens caps and soft lens bag. The filter size is 77mm. Focusing is performed internally so the Samyang 35mm doesn't change length and the filter thread doesn't rotate, good news for filter users. Sharpness for portraits is good wide open and you see a clear boost by closing at F2.8, very good rendering for skin tones and the right level of contrast

If you're looking for a sharp, moderate wide angle with a fast aperture and can live with focusing manually, you need look no further. The lens is also compatible with Sony's DMF – direct manual focus. Depending on the specific camera model, the lens supports AF-S (single shot), AF-A (auto selection), AF-C (continuous), DMF (Direct manual Focus) and MF focusing modes. Focusing using the Sony A7 supplied for this review is very fast and also very reliable. There is no tendency to hunt. We placed the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC on a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III body and shot our standard resolution test chart. The images are across the entire aperture range. Our verdict The Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF II (700 euros) is an upgraded version from the Samyang 35mm F1.4 AF (450 euros) with much improved ergonomics, AF, build quality. Unfortunately it has same size and weight and sharpness is not much improved A good eye is required for the wider apertures, where the depth of field and therefore correct focus can be down to a matter of millimetres. In busy and erratic scenes, a manual-focus lens will result in a lower hit ratio, but it should generally keep the eye of the photographer sharp.You get good sharpness wide open and excellent as of F2.8 , very good bokeh , color rendering , a focusing ring that can be set as aperture ring… but The Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 FE II is designed for use on Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the Alpha A7R IV. Image credit: Andy Westlake is peanuts for any lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4, but even so, Samyang haven't scrimped on the build quality of this lens. High quality plastics with a lightly textured finish have been used for much of the lens barrel, with a metallic red ring placed just after the aperture ring, denoting this is one of Samyang's premium lenses. The lens has a good weight to it, but isn't overly heavy and it balances perfectly on the Nikon D700 used for testing. Focus performance is often a main talking point when it comes to comparing third party lenses to native branded lenses. In the times that I can recall taking a blurry or unfocused photo, I tend to put it down to user error.

MPB puts photo and video kit into more hands, more sustainably. Every month, visual storytellers sell more than 20,000 cameras and lenses to MPB. Choose used and get affordable access to kit that doesn’t cost the earth. Samyang’s 35mm f/1.4 optic is a full-frame model, but it will work equally well on APS-C-format cameras giving roughly a 55mm field of view, depending on the mount. The lens is available in Nikon F, Canon EF, Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha, Samsung NX and four thirds mounts, the latter providing a 70mm focal length. Full-frame users will appreciate the 35mm focal length as a solid all-round lens that is typically associated with reportage, while APS-C-format users may see this as an ideal portrait optic. Axial CA isn’t well corrected until f/4 and in high contrast scenarios you will see quite bit of color fringing. This is usual for a fast 35mm lens and can be manually corrected to some degree. Despite the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 feeling like a sturdy and well-built lens, it does not come equipped with weather sealing properties.

Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Sample Photos

Globally the Sigma F1.2 offer a little more smoother rendering and more gentle pop up effect for portraits The smooth manual focusing ring is a pleasure to use, with damping that is neither too stiff, not too light. Those who shoot video on a DSLR and tend to use manual focus, may find this lens ideal due to its very good manual focusing action and ability to isolate a subject through shallow depth of field. Closest focus is 30cm, which should be ideal for shooting in cramped environments or even for the occasional close up, where the wide angle will allow your subject to be placed in its surroundings. Focusing is performed by moving the rear group of elements, so the lens doesn't change length and the 77mm filter thread does not rotate, which is ideal for use with polarising and graduated filters. The infinity stop isn't. On my sample, I had to turn it to a slightly closer distance for perfect focus at infinity. Astronomers beware. The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE ships with a soft drawstring bag and a large plastic petal-shaped lens hood. It accepts 67mm filters. Focal Range