Samyang AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Launch MSRP
$499- Weight
- 230g
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Min focus
- 0.19m
- Max mag.
- 0.21×
- Formula
- 11E / 8G
- Released
- 2021
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- 3x HR
- 2x ED
- Ultra Multi Coating (UMC)
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 230g
- ⌀ × length
- 65.0 × 71.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.7 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.19m
- Max magnification
- 0.21× (1:4.8)
Optical character
Samyang designed this compact f/1.8 wide with astrophotography in mind. An Astro-Focus mode, set through the focus-hold button, drives the lens to a saved infinity position, and an LED index turns green when focus is there and red if the ring has moved. Coma is well controlled for a 230g lens.
It is also a capable everyday 24mm. The 0.19m close focus gives 0.21x magnification, the 9-blade aperture renders soft backgrounds up close, and weather sealing at five points plus a custom switch (MF or aperture control on the focus ring) make it a big step up from Samyang's earlier Tiny lenses.
Reviewer consensus
Testers find the centre very sharp from f/1.8, with corners gaining fine detail by f/2.8 to f/4 and the whole frame strong at infinity once stopped down a little. Coma is modest wide open, which makes it a good astro choice, and flare resistance is unexpectedly good. Close-range bokeh looks pleasing for a 24mm.
The weak points are strong vignetting (close to 3 EV at f/1.8) and a wavy distortion pattern, for which profile support arrived late in raw converters. AF is quiet and reliable for stills and video but not intended for fast action. Build is a clear improvement over earlier Samyang AF primes, with a matte finish and a mount gasket.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the size-to-aperture balance, and astrophotographers single out the infinity-focus memory as a practical feature that no rival at the price offers. The custom switch and focus-hold button are well received for video.
Copy variation and decentring come up in forums, so buyers are advised to test their sample. Others mention dark corners wide open and the need to build or download a distortion profile.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Astro-Focus mode with infinity LED
- +Sharp centre from f/1.8, good coma control
- +230g with 5-point weather sealing
- +Custom switch and focus-hold button
- +0.21x close-focus magnification
Weaknesses
- −Heavy vignetting at f/1.8
- −Wavy distortion
- −Sample variation reported
- −No aperture ring
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.0
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.7
- Flare Resistance
- 8.3
- Build / Sealing
- 8.0
- Value / Size
- 8.7
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 24mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical · 3x HR · 2x ED · Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear STM |
| Minimum focus | 0.19m |
| Max magnification | 0.21× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 230g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 65.0 × 71.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀58mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Launch MSRP | $499 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
- lksamyang.com/en/about/notice-view.php
- rokinon.com/products/24mm-f1-8-af-compact-full-frame-wide-angle-sony-e
- phillipreeve.net/blog/review-samyang-af-24mm-1-8-fe/
- dpreview.com/samples/6375339730/rokinon-af-24mm-f1-8-fe-sample-gallery/
- photographyblog.com/reviews/samyang_af_24mm_f1_8_fe_review
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 24mm F1.8 FE vs AF 24mm F1.8
- VSAF 24mm F1.8 FE vs 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe
- VSAF 24mm F1.8 FE vs 24mm f/2 Zero-D Tilt-Shift
- 7Artisans
AF 24mm F1.8
24mmF1.8- WT
- 424g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.32m
- MSRP
- $329
AFRING·DC - Laowa
24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe
24mmF14- WT
- 474g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 0.47m
- MSRP
- $1,499
MFRING - LaowaZero-D
24mm f/2 Zero-D Tilt-Shift
24mmF2- WT
- 860g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $1,075
MFRING
