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

The Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE is an affordable ultra-wide autofocus prime lens for full-frame cameras that offers a rugged metal build quality and a fast, quiet by-wire autofocus system. Priced at around 500 USD/EUR, it is a highly budget-friendly choice that includes a built-in petal-shaped hood to protect its protruding front element. Optically, the lens delivers impressive sharpness in the center frame from the maximum aperture of f/2.8, which becomes exceptionally sharp when stopped down. Vignetting and lateral chromatic aberrations are also reasonably controlled, especially when leveraging digital auto-corrections. However, the lens suffers from notable performance drawbacks, particularly regarding image uniformity and distortion. The outer image fields and corners remain soft and unimpressive at wide apertures (f/2.8 to f/4), only reaching acceptable levels around f/8. Uncorrected RAW files exhibit heavy barrel distortion of approximately 3.8% alongside a rough, unrefined bokeh aesthetic. Furthermore, the physical design lacks weather-sealing, features a slippery satin finish, and lacks front filter threads, making traditional filter mounting impossible.

In his first impressions review, Albert Dros highlights the Samyang FE 14mm f/2.8 as a massive design leap over its bulky DSLR-derived predecessor. Built natively for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, its pros include a much smaller, modern aesthetic, full EXIF metadata transfer to the camera body, and a fast, exceptionally quiet autofocus motor. Optically, the lens boasts vastly improved distortion management, eliminating the predecessor's notorious "moustache distortion". Vignetting is also better controlled at wider apertures, and the lens produces enhanced sunstars at f/22. However, Dros balances these improvements by noting several cons, particularly regarding manual operation and initial wide-open optical performance. The physical distance scale has been removed from the chassis, meaning users must check focus distance entirely on the camera's digital bar. Additionally, the massive focus ring turns infinitely and functions so smoothly that it can lead to accidental focus shifts during field handling. Most notably, Dros found his prototype copy to be less sharp wide open than the original manual version, making the older model a potentially better choice if the lens is strictly designated for astrophotography.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 ED FE lens as a highly capable, affordable ultra-wide prime for Sony E-mount, featuring excellent build quality and exceptional sharpness from f/2.8 to f/16. Key strengths include high-quality construction, outstanding center-to-edge consistency, and remarkably low chromatic aberration. However, the design lacks a filter thread due to the fixed, domed front element, and the lens exhibits notable barrel distortion and vignetting that often require post-processing correction. Despite these, the lens is considered a "Highly Recommended" value option for full-frame mirrorless cameras.

The Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC is an ultra-wide angle lens specifically engineered for Sony's full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras, functioning smoothly on APS-C bodies with a 21mm equivalent focal length. It represents one of Samyang's earliest ventures into autofocus technology, providing users with a silent, quick, and highly accurate internal focusing system that works well for documentary and close-up photography down to 0.20 metres. Built with a high-quality, high-grade metal housing, it features a sleek minimalist aesthetic, an attached non-removable lens hood, and a 7-blade aperture designed to produce 14-ray sun stars. The lens operates entirely without a physical adapter, making it highly compact compared to manual SLR adaptations, though its convex front glass element prevents the use of standard screw-on filters. Optically, the lens delivers a mixed but generally strong performance tailored for budget-conscious photographers. Its primary pros include a highly attractive, competitive price point, an exceptionally wide field of view, fast autofocus, and great centre sharpness even when wide open at f/2.8. The lens displays low overall distortion under 1% and minimal real-world chromatic aberration....