Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II
Launch MSRP
$599- Weight
- 420g
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Min focus
- 0.40m
- Max mag.
- 0.16×
- Formula
- 11E / 8G
- Released
- 2021
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x U-ASP
- 3x HR
- 1x ED
- Ultra Multi Coating (UMC)
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 420g
- ⌀ × length
- 80.1 × 88.9mm
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.40m
- Max magnification
- 0.16× (1:6.3)
Optical character
The FE II is a ground-up redesign of Samyang's first AF lens and fixes nearly everything that held the original back. It is lighter (420g) and shorter (88.9mm) than any other f/1.4 fifty for Sony E at launch, uses two ultra-precision aspherical elements plus three HR and one ED element, and swaps the noisy old motor for a quiet linear STM.
It is a hybrid-friendly standard lens. Focus breathing is low, the custom switch can turn the focus ring into a silent aperture control, and a focus-hold button and weather sealing round out the controls. Rendering is crisp in the centre at f/1.4 with smooth, mostly clean backgrounds.
Reviewer consensus
Testers found centre sharpness strong from f/1.4 and the whole frame very good by f/2.8, a large step up from the first version. Longitudinal CA is much reduced, vignetting is noticeable wide open, and bokeh is smooth with only mild cat's-eye shaping toward the corners.
Autofocus is quick and quiet for stills and tracks reliably with Eye AF for video, though it still trails Sony's own linear-motor 50s for fast continuous action. Most reviewers rate it one of the better value f/1.4 fifties for Sony, with the Sigma Art and Sony GM ahead mainly on corner performance and AF speed.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the size and weight balance on smaller bodies and gimbals, the low breathing for video, and the price against first-party f/1.4 options. The focus-hold button and custom switch get regular mentions.
Reported quirks include occasional front/back-focus misses in low light, some flare in strong backlight, and the need for firmware updates through the Lens Station dock to get the best AF behaviour on newer bodies.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +420g, among the lightest f/1.4 fifties for E-mount
- +Sharp centre from f/1.4
- +Quiet linear STM with low focus breathing
- +Weather sealed, focus-hold button and custom switch
- +Good value at $599 launch price
Weaknesses
- −Corners soften wide open
- −AF slower than Sony's XD-motor 50s for action
- −Noticeable vignetting at f/1.4
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.5
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.3
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.6
- Flare Resistance
- 7.7
- Build / Sealing
- 8.2
- Value / Size
- 8.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 2x U-ASP · 3x HR · 1x ED · Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear STM |
| Minimum focus | 0.40m |
| Max magnification | 0.16× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 420g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 80.1 × 88.9mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀72mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Launch MSRP | $599 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- lksamyang.com/en/product/product-view.php
- rokinon.com/products/50mm-f1-4-af-series-ii-full-frame-sony-e
- lksamyang.com/en/about/notice-view.php
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 50mm F1.4 FE II vs 50mm F1.05
- VSAF 50mm F1.4 FE II vs AF 50mm F1.8
- VSAF 50mm F1.4 FE II vs 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
- 7Artisans
50mm F1.05
50mmF1.05- WT
- 606g
- FLT
- ⌀58mm
- MFD
- 0.57m
- MSRP
- $399
MFRING·DC - 7Artisans
AF 50mm F1.8
50mmF1.8- WT
- 421g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $228
AFRING·DC - Samyang/Rokinon
50mm F1.4 AS UMC
50mmF1.4- WT
- 565g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.45m
- MSRP
- $499
MFRING
