Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE
Image: Contributing Editor Qian Ling with her Sony A7 + Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE.
17th July 2017, Singapore – When Samyang previously released the Autofocus 14mm F2.8 FE & the 50mm F1.4 FE, Sony mirrorless users was shocked since Samyang was better known for their wide range of reasonably-priced & high performance manual focusing lenses. The 2 autofocusing lenses did not disappoint as both lenses produces high quality images and the images were sharp and the focusing was fast & quiet giving Sony brand lenses an unexpected competition. So that did not end there, Samyang’s latest Autofocus 35mm F2.8 FE simply stiffens the competition for Sony brand lenses and the new little lens from Samyang did not disappoint.
35mm has always been a favourite focal length for many photographers, be it wider street photography or portraits, it is also a range that is probably 2nd most popular after the 50mm. Before we proceed, if you are here looking for technical specs or MTF charts, you may stop reading now and move on to the other sites. Over here, we are more keen on how the lens perform and the image quality that this lens can produce. If you are cool, read on.
The new Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE is a tiny little lens. The exterior design of the 35mm continues the design cue from the previous 14mm & 50mm FE and although the lens is tiny (33mm x 61.8mm), it really feels purposeful & weighty when handled but surprisingly the weight is only 85gm. The focusing motor is the same as the earlier 14mm & 50mm giving the user fast & near-silent focusing and it is accurate and lands a focus point within milliseconds. The front accepts a 49mm filter which is getting common so there won’t be much issue finding one.
The 7 blades apertures produces a nice and creamy bokeh that is defined and internally the glass are arranged in 7 elements in 6 groups – quite expected from a tiny lens and the apertures allows focusing from F2.8 to F22 which is pretty standard. In distance, the 35mm starts focusing from as near as 35cm from the front of the lens with a magnification ratio of 0.12x – means you can actually do a fair bit of close-up shots and later crop further without much resolution loss.
We decided to pass the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE to Qian Ling, one of our Contributing Editor and see what she will do with the lens.
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Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE – by Ang Qian Ling
Two months ago, I was considering to get a 35mm lens for my Sony mirrorless camera when Editor AL told me to hang on as he had received news about the upcoming new Samyang 35mm F2.8 for FE mount Sony cameras and I am supposed to keep quiet about until Samyang officially announce it. Soon, the Samyang unit came and I decided to review it while doing a pre-purchase trial with it.
Image: Everyday commute: The usual sight of commuters fixated on their mobile phones. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Image: Lens was light enough and I had no issue trying a one-handed high angle shot.
Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Image: Captured while walking around the station. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
First impressions: When I first opened the box, I was surprised by how tiny the lens was (Plus it came with a nifty lens cover). When I mounted it to my Sony A7, the balance in the weight was obvious & well managed. The entire set felt light and was easy to carry around. The build was solid and for a moment I can imagine what the rumours had claimed was true – designed to fit a Sony A series camera.
Image: Lens was fast enough to allow a last minute capture of a man on his electric scooter. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Image: Office worker sitting around the Boat Quay area at the end of the day. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Image: As dawn turned to dusk, it’s the end of the day for some, and the beginning of the day for others. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
I had been doing quite a lot of street photography and since 35mm is like an “everyday lens” to me, I decided to take it out and capture whatever that comes along my way while I am heading to work and back.
Do check out all the images in this article which was shot from this lens. All images are un-edited and you may click on the image to view the actual resolution size at 100%.
Image: Drinks and good food triumphs. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Image: Wrapping up the day with some yoga. Shot using the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE with a Sony a7 camera.
Using it as an “everyday lens”, I will want the lens to be able to focus fast which the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE does very well. The focusing is so quiet I even tried to refocus several times just in case the lens was not focusing – but I was wrong. Not only it is quiet & fast, the focusing are so accurate and it lands on the intended focus point every time without fail. The images are sharp and colors well rendered as you can see from the un-edited images above. I really love the tiny size and the “tiny” asking price for this lens. I am buying mine soon – If you are looking for a 35mm for your Sony A series camera, say no more – get this lens!
– Qianling
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Editor’s Note:
From the above images that our Contributing Editor Qianling had submitted, I guess we all have the answers to why we should buy this 35mm. Further to the “rumours”, while the internet says that this lens was designed and produced to time it with the launch of Sony’s flagship mirrorless A9 – but beyond the rumours and hearsays, the lens definitely pairs off well with any FE Mount cameras and it has proven that it has all the capability to hold its own in the market. I am sure the Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE will attract fans with its reasonable asking price and excellent performance. Yes, I will be buying mine too.
– AL.
OK Guys, Buy your NEW Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE here.
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