Samyang / Rokinon AF 35mm F1.4 FE

Sony E

Review

The Samyang / Rokinon AF 35mm F1.4 FE lens is an exciting offering for Sony E mount users, promising to provide both versatility and impressive optical performance. This prime lens boasts a fast f/1.4 aperture, making it an excellent choice for low-light photography and achieving beautiful background blur, or "bokeh".

Build and Design

The build quality of the Samyang 35mm F1.4 FE is commendable. It features a solid and durable construction that feels robust without being overly heavy. The lens has a sleek and modern design in line with Sony's aesthetics, making it a good visual match for Sony cameras. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for precise manual focus adjustments when needed. However, it’s worth noting that it does not come with weather sealing, which may deter some users who frequently shoot in challenging conditions.

Optical Performance

In terms of optical performance, the Samyang 35mm F1.4 FE delivers sharpness that rivals even some of the more expensive options available in the market. Images are crisp from the center to the edges, even at wider apertures, which is impressive for a lens in this category. The contrast is excellent, and color rendition is vibrant, producing pleasing skin tones for portrait photography. Nonetheless, at f/1.4, there is some noticeable vignetting, though this can typically be corrected in post-processing.

Autofocus

The autofocus system of the Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 is one of its standout features. It is fast, accurate, and relatively silent, making it a great option for video shooting as well. While there have been occasional reports of autofocus issues in certain lighting conditions, these instances are not frequent. It's important to remember that the reliability of autofocus may depend slightly on the specific Sony camera body you’re combining it with.

Versatility

Being a 35mm lens, this focal length offers great versatility for various types of photography, including street, portrait, and landscape photography. The fast aperture allows for creative depth-of-field control, enabling photographers to isolate subjects effectively or create stunning “bokeh” backgrounds. Its performance in low-light scenarios is another big plus, letting photographers capture sharp images without requiring high ISOs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent optical performance with sharp images.
• Fast f/1.4 aperture ideal for low-light conditions.
• Good build quality and design.
• Fast and reliable autofocus system.
• Versatile focal length suitable for various photographic styles.

Cons

• Some vignetting at f/1.4 that may require post-processing.
• Lack of weather sealing.
• Autofocus performance can vary slightly based on camera body.

Verdict

The Samyang / Rokinon AF 35mm F1.4 FE is a fantastic addition to the lens lineup for Sony E mount users. It offers exceptional image quality and versatility, making it a great value for the price. While it has some minor drawbacks, such as vignetting and the absence of weather sealing, the overall performance and features make it a compelling choice for both enthusiasts and professionals alike. If you're in the market for a high-performance, fast lens for your Sony camera, the Samyang 35mm F1.4 FE certainly deserves your consideration.