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Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£310
Avg. price in US: ~$340
Lens mount: Canon EF-M, Canon EF
Maximum focal length: 14 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 2.8
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 115.7 °

Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

7.7

Very good

7.7

Very good

7.7

Very good

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.8
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
7.0
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
8.5
Lens length
25.0%
6.9
Lens diameter
25.0%
10
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#115 in Best Wide Angle Lenses
#286 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 is an ultra-wide-angle manual-focus prime lens designed for full-frame cameras, featuring a 115.7° angle of view and an optical construction of 14 elements in 10 groups, including aspherical and extra-low dispersion elements. Key characteristics include a 9-blade rounded aperture, weather sealing, a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m, and new 'Focus Lock' and de-clickable aperture functions that cater to both astrophotographers and videographers. Its main pros are excellent central sharpness, robust build quality with a rubberised focus ring, and a budget-friendly price point for a fast ultra-wide lens. However, cons include noticeable barrel or 'mustache' distortion, significant vignetting at f/2.8, and the inability to use standard screw-in filters due to the bulbous front element and built-in hood.

Technical Specifications of Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2

Overall score

7.7

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Canon EF-M, Canon EF

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.3

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

115.7 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

115.7 °

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Focus & Controls

7.0

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

N/A

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

9.0

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

9.0

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

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Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 vs the average camera lens

Why is Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 better than the average camera lens?

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Has focus hold button
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Focus lock button support.
What it is: A button on the lens barrel used to lock focus temporarily during shooting.
When it matters: When you want to lock focus quickly during sports, wildlife, or recomposed portraits.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has aperture ring
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Clicked aperture ring.
What it is: A dedicated ring on the lens used to control the aperture directly.
When it matters: When you want direct tactile control over exposure while shooting photos or video.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Has de-clickable aperture ring
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
What it is: An aperture ring that can switch from stepped clicks to smooth rotation for video work.
When it matters: When you shoot video and need smooth aperture changes without audible or visible click steps.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Newer release date
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 was released more recently than the average camera lens.
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 was released more recently than the average camera lens.2020 vs 2016
9.9% better value for money
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (8.07 vs 7.346).
What it is: An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters: When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (8.07 vs 7.346).8.07 vs 7.35
Has focus hold button
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has aperture ring
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.2% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
Has de-clickable aperture ring
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Newer release date
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 was released more recently than the average camera lens.

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 worse than the average camera lens?

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No full-time manual focus
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Fixed lens hood
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
10 mm wider lens barrel
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is wider than the average camera lens (87 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
123.6 g heavier
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is heavier than the average camera lens (649 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
4.1 mm longer lens
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is longer than the average camera lens (96.1 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
No full-time manual focus
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Fixed lens hood
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
What it is: A hood design that can be mounted backward on the lens for more compact storage.
When it matters: When compact packing matters and you want the hood stored neatly on the lens.
Importance: LOW
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
10 mm wider lens barrel
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is wider than the average camera lens (87 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is wider than the average camera lens (87 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.87 mm vs 77 mm
123.6 g heavier
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is heavier than the average camera lens (649 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is heavier than the average camera lens (649 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.649 g vs 525.4 g
0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.
When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.
Importance: MEDIUM
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.0.08 x vs 0.192 x
4.1 mm longer lens
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is longer than the average camera lens (96.1 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 is longer than the average camera lens (96.1 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.96.1 mm vs 92 mm
4.5% lower user score
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.74 vs 8.091).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters: When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.74 vs 8.091).7.74 vs 8.09

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2 and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2?

Excellent center and edge sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8
Improved build quality with a more metallic feel and weather sealing at the mount
Handy new features like a focus lock ring and a de-clickable aperture ring for video
Very affordable price point compared to first-party ultra-wide alternatives
Smooth, well-damped manual focus ring with a long throw for precision
Ideal for astrophotography due to its wide 14mm field of view and bright f/2.8 aperture

What customers dislike about Samyang MF 14mm F 2 8 MK2?

Pronounced 'moustache' (complex) distortion that can be difficult to correct in architectural shots
Fully manual lens with no electronic contacts, meaning no EXIF data or camera-controlled aperture
Bulbous front element and built-in hood prevent the use of standard screw-on filters
Noticeable vignetting when shot wide open at f/2.8
Manual focusing can be challenging through an optical viewfinder without using Live View magnification
Some flare and coma aberrations may occur when shooting directly into bright light sources or stars

Expert reviews

samuelscicluna.com

30/12/2020

Summary of the review

Review - Samyang 14mm F2.8 Mk2

📸 The Samyang 14mm F2.8 Mk2 Review Summary The Samyang 14mm F2.8 Mk2 is a fully manual, ultra-wide-angle prime lens highly favored by landscape and astrophotographers for its impressive 115.7˚ angle of view, bright F2.8 aperture, and incredible value for money. Priced significantly lower than first-party alternatives, this upgraded rectilinear lens introduces crucial design enhancements over its predecessor, specifically robust weather sealing and a handy focus ring lock to prevent accidental adjustments during long exposures. While it lacks built-in electronics, autofocus, and a traditional filter thread, its excellent build quality, silky-smooth focus ring, and dual-mode aperture ring (click or smooth) make it an incredibly reliable and enjoyable tool for manual shooting. Optically, the lens delivers superb, tack-sharp images across the entire frame when stopped down to F8 or F11, and it renders beautiful sunstars at smaller apertures like F16 to F22. However, users must contend with a few notable drawbacks, including slight softness in the corners, minor vignetting, and visible coma or astigmatism when shooting wide open at F2.8. Its most prominent optical weakness is a distinct radial "moustache" distortion...

lksamyang.com

01/02/2013

Summary of the review

Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 MK2 - All You Need to Know

The Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 MK2 is a fully manual, ultra-wide-angle lens tailored specifically for landscape and astrophotography enthusiasts. Boasting a 115.7° angle of view, it is paired with a wide maximum aperture of F2.8, which allows photographers to capture sweeping perspectives and keep ISO settings low to reduce background noise during night shoots. Structurally, it features a sturdy build wrapped in a distinct diamond-pattern focus ring, and its optical configuration includes 14 elements in 10 groups, utilizing a complex mix of high refractive, hybrid aspherical, aspherical, and extra-low distortion elements to optimize image sharpness.

ephotozine.com

04/06/2020

Summary of the review

Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 Lens Review - Performance

The Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 delivers exceptional optical sharpness, with center and edge performance ranging from very good to excellent between f/2.8 and f/8. Key advantages include smooth mechanics, low chromatic aberration, effective weather resistance, and new features for videographers like a de-clickable aperture ring. However, the lens suffers from heavy -4.63% barrel distortion and prominent vignetting at wide apertures, alongside a lack of EXIF data due to no electronic communication. Additionally, precise focusing requires Live View, as it is nearly impossible via the optical viewfinder.

lksamyang.com

01/02/2013

Summary of the review

SAMYANG MF 14mm F2.8 MK2

This review evaluates the Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 MK2 ultra-wide-angle lens, which the reviewer pairs with a Nikon D850 camera for travel, architectural, and urban photography in Tokyo. The lens is highly praised for its exceptional build quality, featuring a solid metal construction with a comfortable manual focus ring. Key highlights include two major structural improvements: a "Focus Lock" mechanism that prevents accidental shifts during long-exposure astrophotography, and a "De-click" switch that enables videographers to adjust the aperture smoothly and seamlessly without hard stops. In terms of performance, the fixed focal length encourages creative composition, and the bright f/2.8 maximum aperture delivers strong performance for night street photography. However, the reviewer notes a few distinct optical limitations when shooting wide open. At f/2.8, there is a pronounced vignetting effect that creates dark areas on the left and right sides of the image frame, alongside minor chromatic aberrations. As an ultra-wide-angle lens, it also exhibits noticeable distortion, though the reviewer emphasizes that these issues can be easily corrected during post-processing in software like Lightroom or Photoshop. Stopping down the lens to...

ephotozine.com

15/07/2020

Summary of the review

Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 Lens Review - Verdict

The Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 is a high-performing manual focus lens praised for exceptional sharpness, low chromatic aberration, and minimal vignetting, alongside features like robust weather resistance, a focus lock switch, and a de-clickable aperture ring. It offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio for users seeking an improved, sturdy design over its predecessor. However, as a fully manual lens, it lacks electronic contacts, resulting in no EXIF data, and it requires precise, slower focusing through Live View, which can be challenging through an optical viewfinder. Despite these speed limitations, its superior image quality and functional upgrades make it a highly recommended tool for photographers, particularly for landscape and architecture, note.

nikonpassion.com

27/05/2020

Summary of the review

Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 MK2 and MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2: focus lock and de-click

The Samyang MF 14 mm f/2.8 MK 2 and MF 85 mm f/1.4 MK 2 are manual-focus lenses designed for DSLRs and mirrorless systems, including Nikon F, Canon EF, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon M, and Micro 4/3 mounts. Priced affordably at €499 for the 14 mm ultra-wide lens and €449 for the 85 mm portrait lens, they offer an attractive performance-to-price ratio compared to expensive native lenses. Both lenses feature a modern, understated aesthetic, a weather-sealed build to protect against moisture, a 9-blade aperture for smooth bokeh, and a "de-click" switch that allows videographers and photographers to adjust exposure smoothly and continuously without hard stops. The 14 mm model specifically benefits from an updated focus-lock mechanism to maintain focus stability during long exposures, time-lapses, or astrophotography. However, user feedback highlights several drawbacks, particularly regarding production quality and physical usability. A notable con is Samyang's looser manufacturing tolerances, which can cause poor alignment of internal optics or fitting issues, such as rear lens caps that do not stay secure or mounts that require excessive force to attach to camera bodies....

maximeoudouxphotographie.fr

22/06/2020

Summary of the review

Review of the new Samyang 14mm f/2.8 MF Mark II for astrophotography and night landscapes

Despite its high value, the review notes several notable drawbacks to consider before buying. The most significant optical flaw is heavy vignetting at f/2.8, creating dark vertical edges that require software correction or higher ISO adjustments. Ergonmically, the manual aperture ring is slightly too loose and sensitive, making it easy to accidentally shift settings during handling. Finally, the reviewer points out that the physical focus-lock ring is somewhat redundant for an ultra-wide lens where hyperfocal distance is reached quickly, and the bulbous front element lacks built-in filter threads, requiring separate, specialized third-party adapters to use filters.

webastro.net

26/06/2020

Summary of the review

Review of the new Samyang 14mm f/2.8 MF Mark II - Webastro

Maxime Oudoux Photographie However, the review and subsequent forum discussion also reveal notable cons and traditional manufacturing quirks. A primary concern raised by community testing is poor corner rendering and noticeable coma artifacts, suggesting that the lens still suffers from qualitative inconsistency across different production batches. Users also experienced physical calibration flaws, such as the actual infinity focus point being incorrectly marked at 0.8 meters on the focus ring rather than at the dedicated infinity symbol. Furthermore, because it is an entirely manual lens, using it on smaller APS-C sensor cameras requires photographers to meticulously calculate custom exposure limits (often dropping down to a strict 16 to 22-second window) to entirely avoid star-trailing, as standard full-frame exposure rules like the "Rule of 500" do not directly apply.

digitalcamaralens.com

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

SAMYANG MF 14/2.8 MkII - Hands-on - Review - Test

This review evaluates the Samyang MF 14/2.8 MkII, a popular manual-focus ultra-wide-angle lens tested across Sony A7r II, Canon 5D MkII, and Nikon D610 bodies. While it retains the exact same optical formula as the original 2010 version, this iteration serves as a major constructive and ergonomic update. Key design improvements include a new straight exterior profile, a rubberized manual focus ring with a 90-degree throw, an integrated petal-shaped lens hood, hyperfocal distance markings, a focus lock ring, and a "de-click" switch for smooth, stepless aperture adjustments across its updated 9-blade diaphragm. Additionally, the tested Nikon F-mount version includes an integrated CPU for EXIF data logging and focus confirmation. Optically, the lens yields mixed results but scores a perfect 10/10 for value-to-cost ratio. On the pros side, it offers a highly positive overall evaluation, notable global sharpness, good flare resistance against direct sunlight, and excellent build quality and handling. However, the cons are inherited from its older optical design; it suffers from a very high and complex moustache-like geometric distortion (-3.90%) that makes it difficult to correct for architectural photography,...

samuelscicluna.com

30/12/2020

Summary of the review

Samyang 14mm F2.8 Mk2 Review

Product Overview and Build Quality The Samyang 14mm F2.8 Mk2 is a fully manual, rectilinear ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for landscape and astrophotography. Compared to its predecessor, the Mk2 brings major design upgrades, including a professional metal build, weather sealing, and a focus ring lock to prevent accidental adjustments. It features an angle of view of 115.7˚ and a fast F2.8 aperture, making it an incredibly affordable alternative to native brand lenses. The aperture is controlled mechanically via a ring that can toggle between clicked or smooth rotation, and manual focusing is aided by a smooth, nicely damped focus ring with a 90-degree throw. Performance, Pros, and Cons The primary advantages of this lens are its excellent value for money, robust weather-sealed construction, highly effective focus lock feature, and outstanding sharpness across the frame when stopped down to F8 or F11. However, the lens is not without its optical drawbacks. The main disadvantages include noticeable "moustache" distortion (radial and barrel distortion), optical softness in the corners alongside coma and astigmatism when shot wide open at F2.8, and a bulbous front...

marijnheuts.nl

24/08/2017

Summary of the review

Samyang 14mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/1.4 Review

The author provides a practical, night-photography-focused review of the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/1.4 lenses as affordable alternatives to expensive brand-name glass. Both are fully manual lenses requiring hand-operated focusing and aperture selection, with no electronic metadata transmitted to the camera. The 24mm f/1.4 stands out for low-light speed, allowing for lower ISO settings and faster shutter speeds to freeze moving features like the aurora borealis. Key advantages of both lenses include robust metal build quality, excellent overall sharpness, neutral colours, pleasant contrast, highly affordable pricing, and superb control over sagittal coma flare, which outperforms many expensive alternatives by keeping stars perfectly round in the corners of the frame. However, several drawbacks are highlighted, particularly for daytime use where manual operation limits application to slow-moving subjects like landscapes. A major downside of the 14mm f/2.8 is its prominent, mustache-shaped barrel distortion that standard Adobe Lightroom profiles fail to adequately correct. Additionally, the 14mm's bulbous front element completely prevents the use of standard ND or graduated filters. The author also notes poor quality control regarding focus ring calibration; the 14mm...

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