Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

25th October 2016, Singapore – Samyang Singapore is getting really active recently with the launch of many lenses including Auto-Focus & Cine-Lenses. Among the new releases is a little monster that we least expected from Samyang. It comes in the form of a Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS – a super bright aperture lenses for the APS-C Mirrorless cameras. (Compatible with Sony’s Full Frame A-series cameras when used in “Auto-Crop” or “APS-C” mode.) While some (in fact many) people was trying to compare the huge difference in size over Samyang’s 35mm F1.4 for DSLR, all we can say is, the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS is really a difference lens catering to a different system altogether – so do your homework before you start comparing and make a fool of yourself.

Those new to Samyang lenses, the lens code can be a little mouthful to read and understand, so let us help you on that.
Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS –
1) Samyang = Brand
2) 35mm = Focal length
3) F1.2 = Aperture at widest
4) ED = Low Dispersion Element
5) AS = Aspherical Element
6) UMC = Ultra Multi Coating
7) CS = Crop Sensor.

So from the above, we understand that this is the latest lens from Samyang, it has a focal length of 35mm (angle of view), comes with a super wide aperture of F1.2, images are corrected via ED + AS elements (glass) + UMC and designed for crop sensor cameras. Not that difficult right?

Before we proceed, I would like to (again) share that if you ended up here looking for technical in-depth review, then you are certainly in the wrong place. Over here we are only keen how does the lens performed, the image quality and the ease of use. If you are cool with this, read on.

The Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS is tiny and compact measuring a mere 74mm length x 67.5mm and weights 420gm. In the world of gearheads, this lens is considered “feather weight” and small enough for most your pockets. Featuring an alloy construction, the lens does feel very solid to the hands. The focusing is smooth and well-geared out as it is very easy to get subjects in focus easily. The front accepts 62mm screw-on filters and this lens starts focusing from as close as 38cm! Internally, the glass are arranged as 9 elements in 7 groups including 02 Aspherical elements & 01 Extra Low Dispersion element- we went WOW! Samyang’s proven UMC has also been long recognized by professional photographers for its ability to reduce light flares & ghostings, this is something which matters a lot to many photographers.

What we love best is the 9 blades round aperture that focuses from F1.2 to F16. Now, in most mirrorless system lenses, you are getting 7 blades apertures most of the time – hey this Samyang gives you 9 blades! For an aperture like that, you know this is made for creamy smooth & flawless bokehs. The new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS will be produced in 4 mounts namely Sony E, MFT, Fujifilm X and Canon M.

To make things interesting for this review, we have decided to pass this lens to one of our administrators, Kenneth Chui. He took the Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS for a pretty long walk that covers from China Town to Raffles Place. Let’s check out his images shot with the Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS and hear what he thinks of this new lens from Samyang!

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Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS Review
by Kenneth Chui

I was excited when the Editor (AL) informed me that he will be sending me the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS to me for review. I have always been a fan of large aperture prime lenses and this lens sounds very interesting to use. The standard 35mm focal length are suitable for a wide range of photography genres – from landscape to street photography, wide angle portraits to big view close-ups, I can’t wait to try out this lens. So I decided to take this lens for an extended walk that covers a favorite route by street photographers from Singapore’s Chinatown to Raffles Place/ Singapore River area.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.
The new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS was surprisingly a joy to use. It is light and small, very easy on the hands. Since I am versatile to focusing, the manual focusing was very easy as the focusing ring is smooth and I like the feel of it. The lens was well designed and it will find home in many people’s hands. I got my subject in focus rather easily and fast, a really one from Samyang.
In low light, the wide aperture helps a lot without having me to compromise on a slower shutter speed, this again is something that I really like as a user. 

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

The sharpness is amazing as you can see from the images on this article. Even when I blow up the images, there was little loss of quality and the image are excellent and suitable for large prints.
At the point of reviewing, I do not know what’s “inside” the lens and it is until much later then I found out that this lens has a few “goodies’ among the elements. This is a pleasant surprise.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.
The F1.2 wide aperture when paired with the 9 blades round aperture blades, it created an outstanding bokeh that many photographers will die for. It’s so creamy smooth that you will not believe that it comes out from a mirrorless system lens – or better still – from a Samyang!
I am truly impressed at this point.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.
Conclusion – Be it indoor or outdoor, the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS is really a lens that you want it to be with you. Depending on what you shoot, this lens is capable of many wizardry and every photographer should have the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS on their camera or in their bags. While falling in love with this lens, time’s up and I have to return the lens to the Editor.

Let’s hope he will point me to a dealer who will offer me a big discount – for helping to review this wonderful lens!
– Kenneth Chiu.

Image: by Kenneth Chui using the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS.

– Kenneth Chui, Guest Reviewer.

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Editor’s Note: Thank you Kenneth for the good review and awesome images. Indeed, the new Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS was pretty “unexpected” and it is poised to outperform many other lenses in the same class – but only to be priced much cheaper!
Samyang is indeed very pro-active recently with more & more good releases and we are contemplating what Samyang will do next. 2016/2017 will be the year to watch.
Excellent lenses, Priced to Sell & fits most systems, Samyang – you very gooder*.
*a local slang.

OK Guys, Buy your Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS here.

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