Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE

Reviews found the centre usable wide open and very good from f/2 to f/2.8, with corners lagging until f/4. Longitudinal chromatic aberration at f/1.4 is the optical weak spot, producing purple and green fringes on high-contrast edges that are hard to correct cleanly. Lateral CA and distortion are well controlled.

Autofocus is where the lens shows its age. The first-generation motor is loud, slow in AF-C and prone to hunting, and Eye AF tracking was described as unreliable on the bodies of its day. Most testers recommended it only for patient, single-shot work, and the FE II replaced it as the lens to buy.

Owners who bought it early liked getting f/1.4 rendering and solid build for a fraction of Sony's price, and several still use it for posed portraits and low-light snapshots where AF speed matters less.

The common complaints are the audible focus motor (a problem for video), hunting in dim light, the weight, and sample variation. Firmware updates through Samyang's Lens Station improved compatibility, but most owners describe the FE II as a clear upgrade.