First test
PRICE: £360
INTRO2020.CO.UK
Samyang is known for its well-specified, value-for-money lenses. Under the microscope here is its latest wide-angle – Samyang’s first autofocus lens for Sony APS-C format cameras SamyangAF 12mmf/2E
SAMYANG LENSES HAVE been going from strength to strength recently. The brand has worked hard on growing its AF range, with two models arriving. For full-frame, there was the AF 24mm f/1.8 and this model, the AF 12mm f/2 – Samyang’s first AF lens for Sony E-mount APS-C cameras. The 1.5x crop means this lens is equivalent to 18mm in the 35mm format. Its ultra-wide angle of view should appeal to interior and scenic shooters, while fast maximum aperture makes this lens extra attractive to astrophotographers. Ultra wide-angle lenses with fast apertures are often big and heavy. That is definitely not the case with the Samyang 12mm f/2. On the contrary, it is really compact and similar to a typical 50mm f/1.8 standard lens – and it’s lightweight, weighing in at just 213g. I tested it on a full-frame Sony A7R IV body, and the pair made for a lovely, nicely balanced combination. On smaller, lighter bodies – such as the A6600 – balance should be even better. On the A7R IV, fitting the lens automatically switches over
to give APS-C format shots, with uncompressed Raws coming out at around 53MB, and files opening up to 6240x4160 pixels. The APS-C format, 24-megapixel A6600 gives files measuring 6000x4000 pixels. Autofocus performance was impressive: quick, slick and very quiet indeed – out on the street, it’s near-enough inaudible. On test, this super-wide lens performed with credit, especially at
wider and mid apertures. Sharpness was decent wide open, especially at the centre, but this high level fell away slightly towards the edges of the frame. Stopping down to f/4 and f/5.6 improved the whole image frame slightly, with f/8 and f/11 looking best, before diffraction kicked in at f/16 and f/22 and quality fell away. There was evidence of colour fringing and barrel distortion, but both can be resolved in editing. WC
TESTPICTURES Pictures were taken using a Sony A7R IV, loaned from Hireacamera. Test chart shots were with the camera mounted on a Leofoto LS-324C tripod with an Arca-Swiss ball head. Raws were processed through Adobe Lightroom
F2
F2
F2.8
F2.8
SPECS
F4
F4
F5.6
F5.6
› Price £360 › In the box Lens, back and front caps, bayonet hood, pouch › Format APS-C, Sony E-mount › Filter size 62mm › Construction 12 elements in ten groups › Special lens elements 1x hybird aspherical, 1x aspherical, 3x ED (extra-low dispersion) › Aperture range F/2-22 › Diaphragm Seven blades › Autofocus Yes, Samyang linear STM stepping motor › Coating Ultra Multi Coating › Minimum focus 19cm › Internal focus Yes › Weather-sealed Yes › Dimensions (dxl) 70x59.2mm › Weight 213g › Contact intro2020.co.uk
GET SHARP There is plenty of depth-of-field, even at modest apertures. This shot of Eastbourne Pier was shot at f/11, so there is ample front-to-background sharpness. Image quality across the frame rates highly – and it is only at extreme corners and edges where sharpness loses a touch of zip
F8
F8
F11
F11
PROS Lightweight, impressive AF – accurate, fast and silent, optical performance CONS Nothing Verdict Fast aperture, ultra-wide lenses can be prohibitively expensive, but here the Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E’s guide price is £360, so value for money rates highly. Plus, it handles well and performs impressively for a lens at this cost, so what’s not to like?
F16
F16
F22
F22
Our thanks to Hireacamera for the loan of the Sony A7R IV body used in this review. hireacamera.com
38 Photography News | Issue 90
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