Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS Review

Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS Performance

Central sharpness is good even at f/1.2, becoming very good by f/2. The figures are then excellent from f/2.8 through to f/11, eventually giving way to diffraction but still very good even at f/16.

The edges at f/1.2 are also good, virtually matching the centre. Sharpness becomes very good at f/2 and f/2.8 and then excellent from f/4 to f/8. Results at f/11 are still very good, and remain good at f/16.

MTF
 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-T2 using Imatest.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is controlled very well indeed and should need no correction in software. It is an impressive set of figures, approaching very close to zero in the centre of the field and being not far behind at the edges.

CA
 

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimise the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-T2 using Imatest.

Flare was not found to be a problem. The UMC multi-coating and lens hood ensure a freedom from internal reflections and artefacts, so images are clean and of good contrast even when shooting into the light.

Distortion is also almost zero, measuring just -0.1% barrelling. This is as good as some macro lenses, so is also very impressive.

The bokeh of the lens is very pleasant, particularly as the wider apertures are used. Wide open at f/1.2, as we might expect, there are some sublime possibilities. At other apertures results are also smooth and attractive in the resulting images.

The overall performance of the lens is very strong.

Value For Money

The Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS lens is priced at £359.

There are not that many alternatives in very bright lenses, but Fujifilm offer the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 R at £449. Sigma has the 30mm f/1.4 DC DN in Sony E and MFT mounts at £249. Olympus offer the 25mm f/1.2 M. Zuiko PRO lens for MFT at £1099.

This makes the Samyang lens look good value, albeit that it is manual focus and the others do offer AF.  

For more options have a look at the Top 10 Best Samyang Lenses.

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