Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

For many years, Samyang have been building an impressive array of manual focus lenses. Reviews have been very positive, although often expressing the wish that the lenses were autofocus. Now we do have a range of Samyang AF lenses. Joining the existing 14mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4, here is the new Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens for full frame Sony A7 and A9 cameras. Let's see if this new lens continues the high quality success story of the existing AF lens range.

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Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Handling and Features

The lens feels quite heavy at 645g, but reassuringly solid. It gives the appearance and feel of being extremely well made. There is actually very little by way of features to see, the lens presenting as a basically smooth metal barrel. Peering into the front element, the colours of the UMC multi coating and the rounded 9 bladed diaphragm are about the only things to observe. There is a generous bayonet petal lens hood that clips firmly into place. The filter thread is a reasonable 67mm, not too expensive to buy filters as it is a commonly used size.

There is a very wide and extremely smooth manual focusing ring that operates electronically. Focusing is down to 0.30m or 0.98 feet, a maximum magnification of 0.17x. The AF system is driven by a near silent ultrasonic motor. There is no distance scale and therefore no depth of field scale. Likewise, there is no aperture ring, as settings are all controlled by the camera.

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.

Optical construction is 11 elements in 9 groups, two of which are glass moulded aspherical and two of high refractive index glass. The lens range as a whole has a three year guarantee.

The lens mount has the usual electronic contacts. There is a slight amount of rotational play when the lens is mounted on the Sony A7, but this does not seem to cause any particular problems. This has been noticed before on a few FE fit lenses, even Sony ones, but not on later camera bodies.

In terms of full frame cameras the 35mm lens is favoured by many photographers as a “wide standard”, particularly useful for street photography/reportage shooting. There are relatively few 35mm f/1.4 lenses, most being f/2.8 designs, so the Samyang just might hit the spot for quite a few photographers. Handling is absolutely fine, although as there are really no controls on the lens apart from the MF ring, its contribution is as minimalistic as its appearance. Suffice it to say that it does the job in a very unobtrusive and efficient way.  

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Performance

It is very rare indeed to see such an even performance across the frame, and at such a high level of sharpness as well. The lens can be rated as excellent at all apertures, both centre and edge, which is remarkable. The variation within the band of figures is also very small, so it really does excel. This totally vindicates the statement in the instruction manual that tells us that “high resolution and high contrast images are produced from the centre of the lens as well as around the periphery”.  

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE MTF Charts

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very low centrally and still very well controlled at the edges. With little suggestion of fringing in the images, further correction may not be needed, but if it is then software will do the job.

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Chromatic Aberration Charts

Distortion is -1.86% barrelling, not excessive but potentially noticeable in architectural shots. Again, this is easily corrected if necessary.

Flare control is also very satisfactory, with few signs of internal reflections or loss of contrast, even with the sun in frame.

Bokeh, the quality of the out of focus areas, is helped by the circular bladed diaphragm and offers a smooth gradation from the plane of sharpness to a more diffused, out of focus background. With the fast, bright f/1.4 aperture the quality of the bokeh can of course be taken good advantage of. In fact, the bokeh of the lens is very impressive, especially considering the high resolution.

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Sample Photos

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Aperture range

Value For Money

The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens joins just one other optic in the Sony FE fit range, the 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T*. However, the Samyang is priced at £599.99 and the Distagon at £1369. If we can do without the AF, then Samyang also offer the 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC at £427.

DSLR users also have few options, but to put things in perspective there are the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (£1799), the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (£599) and the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 G AF-S (£1649). 

All this makes the new Samyang lens very good value for money. For more options have a look at the Top 15 Best Sony E / FE Mount Lenses, or the Top 14 Best Standard prime lenses.

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Verdict

The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is a very attractive proposition for those seeking a fast 35mm lens. The quality is uniformly excellent and the price much lower than the marque alternatives. All in all, the lens is excellent value for money.

The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is a high quality, fast, well made lens at a good price.

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Specifications

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