Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 FE
Launch MSRP
$799- Weight
- 645g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 11E / 9G
- Released
- 2017
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- 2x HR
- UMC
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 645g
- ⌀ × length
- 75.9 × 115.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 6.8 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.30m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:5.9)
Optical character
Samyang's first-generation 35/1.4 was one of the earliest affordable fast 35s with autofocus for Sony full frame. It uses an 11-element design with two aspherical and two high-refractive elements, and it focuses with Samyang's dual linear sonic motor (DLSM).
The all-metal barrel is big and heavy at 645g and 115mm. Rendering is the reason people still buy it: wide open it has a soft, slightly glowing look with smooth nine-blade bokeh, and it becomes crisp across the frame once stopped down.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found good centre sharpness at f/1.4, softer corners until around f/2.8, and strong vignetting that clears by about f/5.6. Purple and green fringing on high-contrast edges is common wide open, and bokeh is consistently praised as smooth.
Autofocus is the weak point by current standards. The DLSM is reasonably quick and accurate for stills, but it is audible and less smooth in video, and it can hunt in low light. Build quality is rated highly for the price, though there is no weather sealing and no switches on the barrel.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the look it gives portraits and environmental shots, and many bought it on sale as a cheap route to f/1.4. The metal construction feels more expensive than the price suggests.
Common complaints are the weight on small bodies, focus noise in video, occasional missed focus on older cameras, and the need for a Lens Station to update firmware. Most owners consider the FE II or P FE better buys today unless the price gap is large.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Smooth f/1.4 bokeh
- +Good centre sharpness wide open
- +Solid metal build
- +Often heavily discounted
Weaknesses
- −645g and 115mm long
- −Noisy AF in video
- −LoCA and vignetting wide open
- −No weather sealing or switches
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.9
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.4
- Autofocus Speed
- 6.8
- Flare Resistance
- 7.2
- Build / Sealing
- 8.3
- Value / Size
- 7.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical · 2x HR · UMC |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Dual Linear Sonic Motor (DLSM) |
| Minimum focus | 0.30m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 645g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 75.9 × 115.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Launch MSRP | $799 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
- rokinon.com/products/35mm-f1-4-wide-angle-sony-e-mount
- photographyblog.com/reviews/samyang_af_35mm_f1_4_fe_review
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 35mm F1.4 FE vs 35mm F1.4
- VSAF 35mm F1.4 FE vs 35mm F1.4 Mark II FF
- VSAF 35mm F1.4 FE vs 35mm F1.4 Mark III
- 7Artisans
35mm F1.4
35mmF1.4- WT
- 298g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $199
MFRING - 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 Mark II FF
35mmF1.4- WT
- 284g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- —
MFRING - 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 Mark III
35mmF1.4- WT
- 274g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- $189
MFRING·DC
