Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification This lens is available to fit many different types of cameras, including Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Four Thirds SLRs as well as Samsung NX mirrorless cameras.

Very inexpensive; Excellent sharpness; even at f/1.4; Even better sharpness when stopped down a little; Low CA and distortion; Good build

Contrast suffers when shooting into the light

If Samyang's name is unfamiliar then now is a good time to find out more about the brand, which has been in the market since 1972 serving the industrial television sector. The company also makes high-spec lenses, optical accessories and a zoom-telescope.

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification This lens is available to fit many different types of cameras, including Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Four Thirds SLRs as well as Samsung NX mirrorless cameras.

Very inexpensive; Excellent sharpness; even at f/1.4; Even better sharpness when stopped down a little; Low CA and distortion; Good build

Contrast suffers when shooting into the light

At around a third of the price of the Canon and Nikon alternatives, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC is an affordable and most importantly excellent quality alternative to the OEM offerings, that's if you can live with the lack of auto-focusing and on the Canon version the transfer of metering...

If Samyang's name is unfamiliar then now is a good time to find out more about the brand, which has been in the market since 1972 serving the industrial television sector. The company also makes high-spec lenses, optical accessories and a zoom-telescope.

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

A fully-manual prime lens with a fast aperture at a bargain price

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

A fully-manual prime lens with a fast aperture at a bargain price

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

A fully-manual prime lens with a fast aperture at a bargain price

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

At around a third of the price of the Canon and Nikon alternatives, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC is an affordable and most importantly excellent quality alternative to the OEM offerings, that's if you can live with the lack of auto-focusing and on the Canon version the transfer of metering...

The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC is the company's most expensive lens to date, but at a street price of around ￡320 it is only about 25% of the price of a comparable optic from the likes of Canon, Nikon and Sony. This means that the Samyang model is around ￡1,000 cheaper than its rivals.