Samyang / Rokinon AF 18mm F2.8 FE

Sony E

Review

The Samyang / Rokinon AF 18mm F2.8 FE is a wide-angle lens designed for Sony E-mount cameras, targeting photographers who appreciate compactness without sacrificing image quality. Weighing in at just 145g and measuring a mere 65mm in length, this lens is an excellent choice for street, landscape, and astrophotography, making it highly portable for on-the-go shooting.

Build Quality and Design

The lens features a solid build, with a metal mount that gives it a premium feel while maintaining a lightweight profile. Its compact design is coupled with a sleek matte finish, which not only looks great but also provides a good grip when handling. The lens is also weather-sealed, making it more resilient under various environmental conditions. However, one downside is the absence of a focus distance scale, which some photographers may find useful, especially when working manually.

Autofocus Performance

The autofocus performance of the Samyang 18mm F2.8 is remarkably fast and quiet, thanks to its internal focusing system and stepping motor. It locks focus quickly during both still and video shooting. While it does a commendable job in maintaining focus, particularly for wider shots, users should be aware that it may struggle a bit in low light conditions or when dealing with complex scenes.

Image Quality

When it comes to image quality, the lens delivers sharp and vibrant results across most of its aperture range, with F2.8 being the optimal sweet spot for sharpness. Distortion is minimal, making it suitable for architectural photography. However, vignetting becomes slightly noticeable at wider apertures, which may require post-processing to correct. On the whole, colors are rendered beautifully, with decent contrast and minimal chromatic aberration.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design, making it perfect for travel
• Good image quality with sharp results across the frame
• Fast and quiet autofocus performance
• Weather-sealed construction

Cons

• No focus distance scale
• Vignetting can be pronounced at wider apertures
• Autofocus may struggle in extremely low light

Verdict

Overall, the Samyang / Rokinon AF 18mm F2.8 FE is an impressive lens that offers excellent portability and solid performance, making it a fantastic choice for photographers looking to expand their wide-angle options without the bulk. Its fast autofocus and overall image quality make it a strong contender in its category, although it does have a few minor drawbacks. For those who prioritize size and weight but don't want to compromise too much on quality, this lens is certainly worth considering.