"There is so much on the plus side for the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE lens – it's affordable, really sharp, focuses fast and produces crisp, attractive images. Handling is superb."
p.4 #3 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Anyone compared this to 16-35 GM at 18mm? The classic expensive zoom vs cheap fixed show down. I would be especially interested in coma distortion in corners for astro.
"There is so much on the plus side for the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE lens – it's affordable, really sharp, focuses fast and produces crisp, attractive images. Handling is superb."
Looks good.
Just wanted to point out that ephotozine was also super positive on the Samyang 24/2.8 FE. Currently owning that lens, it's great for the size and price but I wouldn't rate it 5/5 in Performance and Handling unless strongly taking price into account.
I'll wait for a few more reviews and maybe buy used but if coma is good this may make an amazing compact travel and astro lens.
p.4 #5 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
billsnature wrote:
Anyone compared this to 16-35 GM at 18mm? The classic expensive zoom vs cheap fixed show down. I would be especially interested in coma distortion in corners for astro.
p.4 #6 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Beni wrote:
Or the Sony Zeiss 16-35mm f4 OSS.
I have the SZ 16-35mm f/4 lens to compare with. The 16-35mm f/4 to me exhibits better center sharpness/weaker corners and has the ability to maintain good contrast in backlit scenarios. It's been my go-to lens for wide angle work the last couple of months and I have no desire to switch to the Tamron 17-28mm 2.8, since I like having the extended zoom range.
The 18mm 2.8 seems less sharp, but sharpness is more uniform throughout the entire frame and corners look better to my eye. Contrast and saturation are lower, but I'm noticing most the Samyang glass I've used has a very neutral output, so I'm wondering if it's by design, though it's fairly easy to punch up images in post. I've also seen some CA in bright scenes, but nothing that can't be fixed. Flair is well controlled. Handling is great due to lighter weight utilizing the same fast STM motor as the 45mm. High contrast scenarios are the 18mm's biggest weakness, where it becomes harder to recover highlights.
I'd rate the 18mm around an 8/10, just be aware of it's weakness and the 45mm is like a 9/10 due to better optical performance and similar handling as a point of reference.
Overall, if someone needs a lens for specialized subjects like astrophotography, there are better lenses in the Sony lens line-up. The Samyang is more budget oriented, while providing decent performance in a small package. Hence I think this lens will be better suited for travel and street style photography, where it's less about perfect images and more about capturing the moment.
p.4 #8 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Jonathan F wrote:
I have the SZ 16-35mm f/4 lens to compare with. The 16-35mm f/4 to me exhibits better center sharpness/weaker corners and has the ability to maintain good contrast in backlit scenarios. It's been my go-to lens for wide angle work the last couple of months and I have no desire to switch to the Tamron 17-28mm 2.8, since I like having the extended zoom range.
The 18mm 2.8 seems less sharp, but sharpness is more uniform throughout the entire frame and corners look better to my eye. Contrast and saturation are lower, but I'm noticing most the Samyang glass I've used has a very neutral output, so I'm wondering if it's by design, though it's fairly easy to punch up images in post. I've also seen some CA in bright scenes, but nothing that can't be fixed. Flair is well controlled. Handling is great due to lighter weight utilizing the same fast STM motor as the 45mm. High contrast scenarios are the 18mm's biggest weakness, where it becomes harder to recover highlights.
I'd rate the 18mm around an 8/10, just be aware of it's weakness and the 45mm is like a 9/10 due to better optical performance and similar handling as a point of reference.
Overall, if someone needs a lens for specialized subjects like astrophotography, there are better lenses in the Sony lens line-up. The Samyang is more budget oriented, while providing decent performance in a small package. Hence I think this lens will be better suited for travel and street style photography, where it's less about perfect images and more about capturing the moment....Show more →
p.4 #15 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Beni wrote:
Jonathan, is the washed out saturation and contrast the lens or your processing? They have the look of 1940-60's lenses.
bluloo wrote:
I immediately noticed that too, and assumed it was a processing choice/preset, particularly because it's so pronounced.
I dig the look.
Yeah it's my raw custom preset or I guess my signature look. I don't see the point posting unprocessed photos, rather what's achievable. I honestly can't stand looking at unedited raws since most of them just look very plain and washed out!
scalanc2 wrote:
These images cannot be seen in full resolution ?
Feel free to PM me and I can send you a higher res link to examine.
p.4 #17 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Sounds like Rokinon/Samyang has another winner. I'm eager to add a decent wide angle to my bag for an upcoming trip but I can't find this anywhere for sale yet.
p.4 #19 · Samyang AF 18/2.8 FE officially announced
Yea, might be silly but the 58mm filter size makes this a hard buy for me. I think I'm going to hold out until the Tammy 20/2.8 drops, hopefully not too far into 2020..
