Samyang AF 14mm F 2 8 F Review | 54 Data compared

The Samyang AF 14 mm f/2.8 F is a highly competitive ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame Nikon F-mount cameras, notable for being Samyang's first Nikon F model featuring autofocus. Priced at 749 euros, it presents a significantly cheaper alternative to premium options from Nikon and Sigma. Optically, the lens is stellar; its redesigned formula delivers excellent sharpness across the frame while completely eliminating straight-line distortion, making it a powerful tool for architecture and tight interior photography. Additionally, it features weather-sealing, a quiet autofocus motor, and an impressively lightweight build at 484 grams, which is lighter than its manual predecessor. However, the lens has notable drawbacks regarding handling and performance in challenging environments. Its "focus-by-wire" manual focusing ring spins endlessly without hard stops or distance markings, providing poor tactile feedback and making manual focusing difficult on a standard DSLR viewfinder. The autofocus mechanism can also struggle, hunting or missing the target in low-light settings, low-contrast scenes, or when the subject sits outside the central third of the frame. Finally, the highly bulbous front element lacks traditional filter threads, preventing the use of...

The Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 F is a milestone release for the South Korean optics manufacturer, serving as its very first autofocus ultra-wide-angle lens designed for full-frame Nikon F-mount DSLRs. Built on a robust optical formula of 15 elements in 10 groups, it incorporates specialized glass—including two aspherical lenses, four high-refractive-index lenses, and one extra-low dispersion element—to drastically minimize aberrations and flare. Priced at a public rate of 749 euros, this lens delivers a sprawling 116.6-degree field of view on FX format cameras and remains fully compatible with DX format crop sensors. Weighing 484 grams, the body features integrated weather seals to guard against dust and moisture, making it resilient in diverse shooting conditions. The primary pros highlighted in the review and user reception focus on its fast, silent, and accurate autofocus system, which shows an intentional performance upgrade over Samyang's previous iterations for rival mounts. Its optical layout successfully limits chromatic distortion, while a circular 7-blade diaphragm pairs with an impressive 20cm minimum focusing distance to produce smooth background bokeh when working up close. On the downside, the cons...

The Samyang AF 14 mm f/2.8 EF is a compact and lightweight ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for Canon EF full-frame cameras, weighing under 500g and measuring 9.5cm in length. Built with a robust metal body, it represents a step forward for the brand by introducing a weather-sealed gasket at the mount to block dust and moisture. On the optical side, the lens delivers a high level of sharpness at the center of the frame from its maximum aperture of f/2.8, which reaches its peak performance when stopped down to f/8. Additionally, it features excellent geometric distortion control, keeping lines relatively straight for such a wide focal length. Despite these strengths, the lens has several notable drawbacks. The manual focus ring operates electronically rather than mechanically, which results in a focus-by-wire system that feels far too fluid and lacks precision. While center sharpness is impressive, image quality is noticeably inconsistent across the frame, with sharpness at the extreme corners struggling to improve until f/8. Furthermore, vignetting is heavily pronounced and highly visible at wider apertures, requiring the photographer to stop down...