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Register/Sony E-mount/Samyang (Rokinon)/Standard
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC — Product view
Product view© LK Samyang
Samyang/Rokinon

Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC

FE · PRIME
50mm
APERTURE
1:1.4
MFRING

Launch MSRP

$499
Weight
565g
Filter
⌀77mm
Min focus
0.45m
Max mag.
0.13×
Formula
9E / 6G
Released
2013
AlternativesCompare with…
01

Specification sheet

Optical construction

9
Elements
6
Groups
0 LD · 2 ASPH
8 rounded blades
  • 1x Aspherical
  • 1x Hybrid Aspherical
  • UMC (Ultra Multi-Coating)
Aperture range
f/1.4 — f/22

Physical & ergonomics

16842
Weight
565g
⌀ × length
81.6 × 100.7mm
Filter
⌀77mm
Weather sealed
No
Aperture ring
Yes

Autofocus actuator

Manual Helicoid
Manual Focus
Stabilisation
Body IBIS
Teleconverter
Not supported
AF speed score
—

Close-up performance

Min focus distance
0.45m
Max magnification
0.13× (1:7.7)
0.13×
0×0.25×0.5× half macro1.0× macro
02

Optical character

Samyang's manual-focus 50 is a fast, inexpensive standard prime built on a DSLR design. On Sony E it comes with a built-in adapter section, so it is about 101mm long and 565g, much bulkier than a native mirrorless fifty. Nine elements in six groups include one aspherical and one hybrid aspherical element, and every surface carries Samyang's UMC coating.

Wide open it has a soft, glowing look with heavy vignetting. By f/2.8 it is crisp across most of the frame. Bokeh from the eight-blade aperture is smooth, though highlights turn polygonal when stopped down. There are no electronic contacts, so the camera records no EXIF and focus magnification has to be triggered by a button.

Reviewer consensus

Reviews found centre sharpness at f/1.4 usable but low in contrast, with a big jump by f/2 and very good results from f/2.8 to f/8. Corners lag until about f/4, and vignetting near two stops at f/1.4 is the most-cited optical weakness. Longitudinal colour fringing is visible wide open, while distortion stays low.

Testers rated it good value next to the first-party f/1.4 fifties of its time, but newer mirrorless designs, including Samyang's own AF 50mm F1.4, are sharper and smaller. It is mainly worth buying for a low price or a manual-focus video setup.

Owner sentiment

Owners like the price, the long and well-damped focus ring, and the warm, slightly vintage rendering wide open. It is popular for low-light portraits and for video, where the focus throw suits follow-focus gears.

The main complaints are size and weight on small Sony bodies, the lack of EXIF data, and the aperture ring's clicks for video. Some owners report sample variation and slightly decentred copies.

03

Strengths, weaknesses & performance

Strengths

  • +Bright f/1.4 for a low price
  • +Sharp from f/2.8 across most of the frame
  • +Smooth, well-damped focus ring
  • +Fixed length while focusing

Weaknesses

  • −Large for a 50: 101mm and 565g on Sony E
  • −Soft, low-contrast wide open with heavy vignetting
  • −No electronic contacts or EXIF

Six-axis rating

SHARPBOKEHAFFLAREBUILDVALUE
Sharpness
7.5
Bokeh Rendering
7.8
Autofocus Speed
MF
Flare Resistance
7.0
Build / Sealing
7.3
Value / Size
8.3

Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.

04

Technical specifications

Optics
MountSony E (FE) · full frame
Focal length50mm
CategoryStandard
Maximum aperturef/1.4
Minimum aperturef/22
Construction9 elements in 6 groups
Special elements1x Aspherical · 1x Hybrid Aspherical · UMC (Ultra Multi-Coating)
Aperture blades8
Focus
Focus typeManual Focus
DriveManual Helicoid
Minimum focus0.45m
Max magnification0.13×
StabilisationNone (uses body IBIS)
TeleconvertersNot supported
Body
Weight565g
Diameter × length81.6 × 100.7mm
Filter thread⌀77mm
Weather sealingNo
Aperture ringYes
De-clickable apertureNo
Release year2013
Launch MSRP$499 USD
05

Sources

Specifications

  • lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
  • rokinon.com/products/50mm-f1-4-full-frame-high-speed
06

Similar focal length alternatives

  • VS50mm F1.4 AS UMC vs 50mm F1.05
  • VS50mm F1.4 AS UMC vs AF 50mm F1.8
  • VS50mm F1.4 AS UMC vs AF 50mm F1.4 FE
  • 7Artisans

    50mm F1.05

    7Artisans 50mm F1.05
    50mmF1.05
    WT
    606g
    FLT
    ⌀58mm
    MFD
    0.57m
    MSRP
    $399
    MFRING·DC
  • 7Artisans

    AF 50mm F1.8

    7Artisans AF 50mm F1.8
    50mmF1.8
    WT
    421g
    FLT
    ⌀62mm
    MFD
    0.50m
    MSRP
    $228
    AFRING·DC
  • Samyang/RokinonAF

    AF 50mm F1.4 FE

    Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE
    50mmF1.4
    WT
    585g
    FLT
    ⌀67mm
    MFD
    0.45m
    MSRP
    $699
    AF