Rokinon 35mm F 1 8 FE Review | 54 Data compared

The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is a compact and lightweight prime lens designed for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, weighing only 210g. It features a robust construction with weather-sealing and a unique 'Custom' switch that allows the control ring to toggle between manual focus and stepless aperture control. Optically, the lens delivers excellent central sharpness even at its widest aperture of f/1.8, supported by a fast and nearly silent linear stepping motor for autofocus. The review highlights several pros, including its impressive image quality, affordable price point (starting around $349), and pleasant bokeh at wide apertures. However, it notes cons such as softer corner sharpness when shooting wide-open and a modest minimum focus distance of 0.29m, which results in a limited 0.17x magnification ratio. Additionally, some longitudinal chromatic aberration is visible at f/1.8, and the lens lacks a physical focus distance scale. If you'd like, I can: Compare this lens to the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Provide more details on its video performance Find the current best prices at different retailers Let me know how you'd like to proceed!

The Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE is a highly compact and lightweight prime lens designed for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, serving as an affordable alternative to the native Sony FE 35mm F1.8. Priced significantly lower at $399 USD compared to Sony's $750 USD retail price, it features a weather-sealed body with four distinct seals, a smooth custom control ring that can be programmed to adjust the aperture, and a solid build despite its engineered plastic shell. Driven by a linear focus motor, the lens delivers fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus performance that handles human and animal eye tracking smoothly during both stills and video recording. Optically, the lens delivers exceptional sharpness and high contrast across the frame when stopped down to F2.8 or smaller, making it a capable tool for landscape photography. Its core strengths include excellent value for money, reliable autofocus precision, and pleasing background bokeh in close-up scenarios. However, the review highlights notable weaknesses, such as visible blue and green longitudinal chromatic aberration (color fringing) at wide apertures, lower contrast and a light haze when shooting wide open...

The ePHOTOzine review highly recommends the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE lens for Sony, highlighting its lightweight 210g design, outstanding sharpness, and fast, silent autofocus. Key pros include low central chromatic aberration, modest barrel distortion, effective weather sealing, and a versatile, customizable control ring for aperture adjustment. Conversely, the review notes significant vignetting at the maximum f/1.8 aperture, which, while sometimes useful for artistic effect, requires software correction for consistent lighting. Additionally, the electronic control ring is described as overly sensitive, risking accidental adjustments during, say, handheld shooting.

The Les deux pieds dehors review highlights the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE as a compact, lightweight (210g) "Tiny Series" lens offering excellent value under $400, featuring weather-sealed construction and strong, sharp performance with pleasant bokeh. While ideal for travel and environmental portraits, the lens exhibits noticeable chromatic aberrations (purple/green fringing) at wide apertures and is prone to lens flare, alongside a primarily plastic build.

The Rokinon/Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is highlighted as a "Goldilocks lens" for Sony full-frame cameras because it strikes an ideal balance between size, price, and overall performance. The reviewer notes that it significantly outperforms its local 35mm alternatives in the Samyang lineup; it is much faster than the "too slow" f/2.8 pancake version, yet remains highly portable unlike the "brick-like" f/1.4 version. Optically, the lens delivers great, rich colours, stands out as "sharpity sharp" even when compared to the pricier native Sony 35mm f/1.8, and retains a unique vintage rendering capability while remaining technically proficient. Furthermore, its autofocus system operates rapidly, silently, and accurately for both photo and video capture. In terms of physical design and value, the lens provides strong pros by featuring weather sealing and a unique two-mode custom switch that allows the focus ring to control the aperture. It is exceptionally well-suited for compact bodies like the Sony A7c. It also provides excellent value by including a lens hood and a carrying case right in the box, despite costing $150 less than the unsealed Canon RF...

The DPReview sample gallery for the Rokinon/Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE highlights the lens as an impressively sharp, budget-friendly prime for Sony E-mount cameras, delivering exceptional, consistent sharpness across the frame at a competitive $350 price point. It is characterized by snappy autofocus performance and rare occurrences of chromatic aberration, making it a strong contender for street and daily photography. While optically strong, the lens compromises on build quality, offering a less solid and more plasticky feel compared to higher-end alternatives. Despite this, the review finds the build-to-performance ratio makes it an excellent value for budget-conscious photographers. View the full gallery and analysis at DPReview.