Samyang 24mm F2.8 AF FE E-mount lens review by QuietOC
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Rokinon 16 F2 Sony E 16 F2.8 Sigma 20 F1.8 EX DG Tamron 20 F2.8 OSD M1:2 Sony E 20 F2.8 Minolta AF 20 F2.8 & RS Sigma 24 F1.8 EX DG HSM Sony 24 F2 SSM Distagon Sony FE 24 F2.8 G Tamron 24 F2.8 OSD M1:2 Minolta AF 24 F2.8 Sigma AF 24 F2.8 II Discover/Neewer 25 F1.8 Canon EF 28 F1.8 USM Sigma 28 F1.8 HS & EX DG Minolta MD & AF 28 F2 Sony FE 28 F2 Canon EF 28 F2.8 IS USM Minolta/Sony AF 28 F2.8 Neewer 28 F2.8 |
price paid: | 242 USD (new) |
positive: | Size and weight Fast, quiet motor Minimal distortion Very little breathing Smooth backgrounds Lens Compensation |
negative: | Sample variation/alignment low contrast Chromatic aberrations Focus accuracy Firmware updates require dock |
comment: | I ordered this lens after being impressed with their little AF 35mm F2.8. This lens is a bit larger and more expensive. The first Rokinon copy had an obvious alignment problem wide-open. The second and third copies were slightly better. I kept the sharpest copy of the three. This copy also had a somewhat wider angle-of-view. I later tried a fourth Samyang branded copy. This one was even better aligned and slightly wider again. The misalignment is mostly noticeable when pixel peeping with small pixels. "MADE IN KOREA" The sharpness across the frame is much more consistent than old retrofocus wide primes including the Sony ZA SSM Distagon. The Sony G is sharper wide-open at landscape distances, but this lens is sharper stopped down. The Tamron and Sony G have wider angle-of-views and much more barrel distortion. It has just a bit more breathing than the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 or the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G. The servo motor is quiet and smooth. Several reviewer claim that the mount is painted plastic, but it is definitely a metal alloy. The alloy may not be as good a choice as the polycarbonate used in the rest of the lens. For most uses this lens makes better optical compromises than the more expensive Sony G. Their larger F1.8 has much less compromises. |
rating summary

- total reviews: 4
- sharpness: 4.63
- color: 4.75
- build: 4.50
- distortion: 4.75
- flare control: 4.00
- overall: 4.53