Samyang / Rokinon 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS

Micro Four Thirds (MFT/M43)

Overview

The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS is a wide-angle lens designed specifically for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras. This lens has become popular among landscape, architecture, and astrophotographers due to its impressive optical performance and affordability.

Build Quality and Design

The lens feels solid in hand, constructed from a combination of metal and high-quality plastic, giving it a premium feel. It features a compact and lightweight design, making it an excellent choice for travel photographers. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for precise manual focusing, which is essential for critical applications like astrophotography.

Optical Performance

One of the standout features of the Samyang 16mm F2 is its fast maximum aperture of F2, which allows for great low-light performance and depth of field control. The lens produces sharp images, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration, especially useful when shooting landscapes or wide scenes. The 16mm focal length is equivalent to 32mm in full-frame terms, which is versatile for a variety of shooting situations.

Handling and Usability

As a manual focus lens, it may not be for everyone, especially those who rely heavily on autofocus. However, the clarity of the focus scale is a plus, and the lens does well in situations where manual focus is preferable. The compact size and lightweight weight make it comfortable to use for extended periods, and it pairs well with MFT bodies.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Wide maximum aperture of F2 for excellent low-light performance.
Sharp images with minimal optical aberrations.
Compact and lightweight design, ideal for travel.
Smooth manual focus operation.

Cons

Lack of autofocus may deter some users.
The relatively narrow field of view compared to full-frame counterparts can be limiting for certain applications.

Verdict

Overall, the Samyang / Rokinon 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS is a fantastic choice for Micro Four Thirds shooters looking for a prime ultra-wide lens. Its strong optical performance, combined with a good build quality and lightweight design, makes it suitable for various photography genres. While the manual focus aspect can be a drawback for some, those willing to embrace it will find a versatile and capable lens that excels in multiple shooting scenarios.

Technical Specifications

16mm

min focal length

16mm

max focal length

max f (min zoom)

max f (max zoom)

77mm

Filter diameter

20cm

min focus distance

f22

min. aperture

583g

Weight

Elements

Groups

89mm

Length

83mm

Diameter

Which cameras does the Samyang / Rokinon 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS fit?

The Samyang / Rokinon 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS fits all Micro Four Thirds cameras. There its field of view equals 32 mm in full-frame terms (crop factor 2).

Micro Four Thirds cameras

Micro Four Thirds:: OM System PEN, OM System OM-3, OM System OM-5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G97 (G99M2), Panasonic Lumix GH7, OM System OM-1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G9 II, Panasonic Lumix G100D, OM System OM-5, OM System OM-1, Panasonic Lumix GH6, Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, Olympus PEN E-P7, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G100 (G110), Panasonic Lumix BGH1, Olympus PEN E-PL10, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90, G91), Olympus OM-D E-M1X, Panasonic Lumix GX9, Panasonic Lumix GF10 (GF90, GX880), Olympus PEN E-PL9, Panasonic Lumix GH5S, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Panasonic Lumix G9, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix GF9 (GX850, GX800), Panasonic Lumix GH5, Olympus PEN E-PL8, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80, G81), Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80, GX7 Mark II), Olympus PEN-F, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GX8, Panasonic Lumix G7, Panasonic Lumix GF7, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GM5, Olympus PEN E-PL7, Panasonic Lumix GH4, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic Lumix GM1, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Olympus PEN E-PL6, Olympus PEN E-P5, Panasonic Lumix G6, Panasonic Lumix GF6, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Olympus PEN E-PM2, Olympus PEN E-PL5, Panasonic Lumix GH3, Panasonic Lumix G5, Panasonic Lumix GF5, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Blackmagic Cinema Camera (MFT)