Samyang 16mm F 2 0 ED AS UMC CS Review | 54 Data compared

The Samyang 16 mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS is a specialized manual-focus prime lens designed for APS-C sensor cameras, combining a wide 80-degree angle of view with a fast f/2.0 aperture. LensTip's extensive testing reveals excellent image quality in the frame center even when wide open, reaching sensational sharpness levels when stopped down slightly to f/4.0. Additionally, the optic earns high praise for its good resolution on the edges of the frame, negligible astigmatism (only a 3% difference), and excellent correction of both spherical, lateral, and longitudinal chromatic aberrations. Built with 13 elements in 11 groups (including ED and aspherical glass), it features a highly precise manual focus ring with a generous 160-degree rotation angle and delivers an advantageous price-to-quality ratio. However, the lens is not without its optical drawbacks. The biggest performance flaw noted by LensTip is its weak performance against bright light, as it suffers from a high volume of artifacts, ghosting, and flares when stopped down—even if the sun is positioned well outside the frame boundaries. It also suffers from distinct vignetting at the maximum relative...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS as a 4.5-star "Highly Recommended" manual focus APS-C lens, noted for its robust build, outstanding value, and exceptional sharpness, particularly when stopped down to f/4. Key advantages include a smooth focus ring and excellent centre sharpness even at f/2.0, although it is a fully mechanical, manual-only optic. Drawbacks identified in the review include the absence of a hyperfocal scale for landscape shooting and a loose-fitting plastic lens hood that can fall off easily. Despite these minor issues and the lack of autofocus or automatic aperture control, the lens is lauded for providing high-end optical performance at a budget-friendly price point.

The Samyang 16mm F2.0 ED AS UMC CS is a unique manual focus wide-angle prime lens designed specifically for cropped APS-C sensor cameras, providing a 24mm equivalent field of view on full-frame cameras. In terms of performance pros, the lens achieved an excellent DXOMARK score of 18 and a peak sharpness of 12 P-Mpix when tested on a Canon EOS 7D. It delivers superior frame uniformity from f/2.8 onwards compared to high-end rivals, offers optimal sharpness between f/4 and f/5.6, and provides exceptional control over vignetting, distortion, and lateral chromatic aberration. Additionally, it features a sturdy 13-element design that allows a close focusing distance of just 7.87 inches (20cm) and comes with a highly attractive price tag of $399. However, the lens comes with notable functional cons due to its entirely mechanical design. On the Canon EF mount version, it lacks electronic contacts, meaning there is no automatic diaphragm, no EXIF data recording, and exposure metering is restricted to stopped-down mode only. It is also incompatible with standard automatic camera exposure modes like Tv, P, and flash. Optically, its wide-open...

The Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS (also sold under the Rokinon brand) is a unique, manual-focus wide-angle lens specifically designed for APS-C sensor cameras. Testing on a Nikon D7100 revealed impressive build quality with a large, smooth focus ring and a durable metal mount. Performance-wise, the lens delivers on its core promise of outstanding sharpness even when shot wide open at f/2.0, making it an excellent high-speed option for crop-sensor photographers. Additionally, the lens handles distortion remarkably well, exhibiting almost no prominent barrel distortion despite its wide focal length, and it remains highly affordable at a price point just under $480. Despite its strong performance, the review highlights a few drawbacks to consider. The lens is strictly manual focus, which may pose a challenge for users unaccustomed to manual operation. In terms of optical flaws, there is noticeable corner vignetting and occasional instances of minor chromatic aberration (CA), though the CA is easily correctable in post-processing and does not severely impact overall sharpness. Finally, from a usability standpoint, the lens lacks a clear physical alignment mark (such as...

The Samyang 16mm F2.0 ED AS UMC CS is a highly capable, fast wide-angle prime lens designed specifically for APS-C SLRs and mirrorless camera systems, offering an effective 24mm field of view on a 35mm sensor format. It stands out as an excellent, budget-friendly choice that delivers impressive image sharpness across the frame even when shooting wide open at its maximum f/2 aperture. The lens features a sturdy, composite plastic barrel equipped with a smooth manual focus ring that provides a 180-degree throw, allowing users to focus on subjects as close as 7.9 inches (0.2 meters). While it performs incredibly well with sharp lab results peaking around f/5.6 and f/8, users will have to manage a modest 1.4 percent barrel distortion and noticeable corner light fall-off, which darkens edges by up to four stops at f/2. The review highlights several critical pros and cons for prospective buyers. The primary advantages include its very attractive price point, excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, close focusing capabilities, and its wide availability across multiple native lens mounts including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Micro Four Thirds....

The Samyang 16mm F2.0 ED AS UMC CS is a highly regarded, cost-effective wide-angle prime for APS-C sensors, noted for exceptional sharpness across the frame, high contrast, and minimal barrel distortion. It is praised for its fast F2.0 aperture, pleasant bokeh, and full electronic "A" mode support on Pentax K-mounts, making it ideal for landscapes and low-light work. Key drawbacks identified include noticeable vignetting at wider apertures, subtle "swirl bokeh" quality control issues, and some minor optical aberrations. Despite these limitations, the review finds the lens to be an incredible value option for photographers willing to work within these constraints.

The Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS lens is a highly capable and affordable manual focus ultra-wide-angle lens designed specifically for APS-C cropped sensor cameras. The reviewer praises the lens for its exceptionally solid build quality, timeless design, and a remarkably smooth focusing ring that makes manual focusing easy even for beginners. In terms of optical performance, the lens features an internal construction of 13 elements in 11 groups and an 8-blade aperture design that delivers high-contrast images, rich colour rendering, and excellent bokeh when shot wide open. Additionally, its 16mm focal range (equivalent to 24mm in a 35mm format) provides an ideal wide-angle field of view that prevents subjects from appearing too small while leaving ample space for cropping. A standout pro of this lens is its impressive control over edge distortion and softness, which is a rare feat for an ultra-wide lens in this category. It also boasts a very close minimum focusing distance of just 17.5cm, maximizing its magnification capabilities. On the downside, the lens is entirely manual focus, which might deter users who prefer automated...

The Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS lens delivers excellent optical performance for its $399 price tag, achieving a high DxOMark score of 22 points when tested on the Sony Alpha SLT A77. Its impressive optical formula includes 13 elements with one ED glass type and two aspherical elements, which efficiently control distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration. While its open-aperture sharpness is only decent, the lens achieves optimal sharpness across the entire frame when stopped down between f/4 and f/5.6. When compared to more expensive zooms on the Nikon D7100, the Samyang lags behind the center sharpness of the $799 Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 wide open, but it easily outperforms the $659 Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX by offering vastly superior border sharpness and much lower chromatic aberration. However, the budget-friendly price comes with significant usability trade-offs due to a complete lack of mechanical or electronic contacts on all versions except the Nikon mount. Pros of this lens include its affordable cost, great transmission, excellent aberration control, and competitive edge-to-edge sharpness when stopped down. Cons are notable: it lacks autofocus,...

The Samyang 16mm F2.0 ED AS UMC CS is a $499, manual-focus, ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for APS-C sensors, providing a 24mm-equivalent field of view with excellent sharpness even at f/2. The lens features robust construction with a 180-degree focus throw, making it a strong choice for landscape and low-light work. Key drawbacks include the complete lack of autofocus and stabilization, along with noticeable vignetting, or light fall-off, at f/2. While well-balanced on SLRs, its 1.3-pound, 3.4-inch design can feel bulky on compact mirrorless cameras.

The Rokinon 16mm f/2 lens is a highly specialized manual-focus prime lens designed specifically for APS-C crop-sensor DSLR cameras, offering a wide field of view roughly equivalent to a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera. In terms of performance pros, the lens delivers astonishing edge-to-edge sharpness from f/2 to f/16, leaving only the very extreme corner pixels slightly soft when wide open. It boasts a rock-solid, well-constructed build with a buttery-smooth focus ring that features a long throw for precise adjustments. Furthermore, the optical design exceptionally controls flare, produces beautiful sunstars, maintains sharp focus at close macro distances, and exhibits almost no typical "wings of flare" coma, making it an outstanding and cost-effective choice for star, nightscape, and timelapse photography. However, the reviewer notes several cons and structural trade-offs to keep in mind before purchasing. Vignetting is a notable issue wide open, either darkening the frame heavily or suggesting the lens behaves closer to an f/2.2 aperture, which might force photographers to bump exposures up by 1/3 of a stop. While the build feels heavy-duty, users are cautioned that the...