It’s Samyang’s tenth autofocus lens for Sony’s full-frame mirrorless camera system
(Image credit: Samyang)
Independent lens maker Samyang (branded Rokinon in the US) is continuing to expand its range of reliable low-cost lenses – offering primes for practically every camera mount made. The new Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE is an extremely affordable general purpose lens for cameras like the Sony A7 III and A7R IV. But it can also be used in Sony A6000 series cameras too, offering a useful equivalent focal length of 52.5mm
The latest in Samyang's Tiny Series, the lens is not just small, it’s light too weighing just 210g, and is more affordable than Sony’s own prime lenses, especially the G Master series – some of the best Sony lenses are also some of the biggest!
Samyang says it’s particularly well suited to street photography when used on full-frame Sony cameras – but becomes a 'nifty fifty' type standard lens when used on A6000 series models.
The optical construction includes two aspherical elements to correct aberration and deliver high-resolution throughout the entire image frame. The 9-blade circular aperture brings the promise of beautiful bokeh and smooth out-of-focus backgrounds. The lens is weather sealed against rain and dust, and utilizes a linear stepping motor for autofocus.
Samyang already makes a 35mm f/1.4 and a 35mm f/2.8 it its range of autofocus primes - and the new 35mm f/1.8 will become the tenth available for the Sony E mount.
Also known as: Rokinon AF 35/1.8 for Sony E
Focal Length: 35mm Mounts: Sony E Fullframe: Yes Autofocus: Yes Imagestabilization: No Aperture: f/1.8-22 Lens structure: 10 elements in 8 groups Diaphragm blades: 9 Min. focusing distance: 0.29m / 0.95ft Max. magnification: 0.17x Filter thread: 58mm Dimensions: 63.5x65mm Weight: 210g (7.4oz)
The lens has a Custom Switch which is designed to allow you to quickly select various functions, such as Aperture Control Mode, and access the shooting mode that suits you. More functions will be added through firmware updates in the future, we are told.
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The Samyang lens is due to go on sale in October at a suggested retail price of £359.99. The Rokinon version is scheduled for November and will cost $399.
Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography.
His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.
He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.
