Samyang 20mm f/1.8 lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C)
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- Опубліковано 6 гру 2019
- This is an under-reviewed lens, from Samyang Optics. Let's take a very close look and see how well it can perform.
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link) (Be sure to get the right lens for your camera system):
UK: amzn.to/2SQayEw
All pictures taken by me on Canon 6D, EOS M3 and Sony a7r ii cameras.
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Music: 'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... - Навчання та стиль
You know what I noticed, Chris? No matter what lens you review, your test shots are always breathtaking! Even with bad performers. Outstanding.
Agreed! Obviously Chris knows his way around a camera, but another thing his pictures show is that there aren't many really bad lenses about these days.
The fact that the rear lens element juts out the back when you go to infinity is exactly the type of thing a reviewer should be telling us.
Nice job.
Is this a bad thing?
@@toi3213 not necessarily a bad thing... it just means you've got to be careful when you place it down on a hard surface. Make sure the lens is mid zoom so the element doesn't sit proud of the metal ring.
I'm guessing this wont aply to the sony version which is a bit longer at the back?
That’s some great timing, Chris. I was looking for this lens today on lenstip and the-digital-picture, as a possible affordable astro lens. Your review makes me think it’s a lens worth considering.
Thanks for another delightful, relaxing & elucidating video! 🙏
This was exactly was I was searching for. Thanks a lot. :)
I couldn't believe my eyes when I drove into Blaenau Ffestiniog during my visit of Wales years ago; such a complete change of scenery!
I own this lens and it is a fantastic performer on my Canon 5D Mark IV. Perfect for astrophotography at a cheap price / compact package.
Is it good wide open?
I hope you can do a review of the Tamron 1/2.8 20 mm for Sony E when it comes out. And I don't care how many reviews there are already on the internet - yours are always the most reliable and show exactly what we can expect in practice!
Seems to be a good performer especially for the price, like most samyangs/rokinons. As for the picture wall test, I think wide angles usually suffer a bit since to get the same frame you are probably very close to the target and any field curvature will be more evident. I like the coma test later in the video as it seems to represent a more real life use case. Great review as always!
The best ASMR channel :) I love the combination of the music, your voice, and technical informations about lenses.
Appreciate for making fantastic lens review. ^^
Thank you for this review! I've been quite seriously looking at this lens for the last couple of weeks, and I think there are maybe a handful of reviews out there.
É o melhor canal sobre lentes de todo o YT!!
I have the e-mount version on my original A7.. easily one of my favourite and most used lens.
2nd maybe
Can you review canons new 70-200 mm
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the mooth review as always :)
With wides sometimes a true infinity test is worthwhile to test field curvature edge sharpness, i.e. at what aperture does the edge become usefully sharp for landscape.
Best wishes & Merry Christmas.
Zen Den 5.6 from my research
love your videos! please review one of tamron’s new primes for sony systems
The 20mm are at the limit where the perspective distortion becomes a real problem. The 20mm is typically the widest of autofocus lenses. Canon has a full frame 20mm f/2.8 like like Nikon and Sony for a-mount only. The Samyang 20m f/1.8 is very bright but manual focus. Also the Samyang/Rokinon lenses have a good reputation with Astrophotography.
I'd like to see you review the takumars 😎, those are very outstanding vintage lenses
I really liked this video, great job!!
I would like to take some night sky photos, do you think is better this lens or the Sigma 20mm f1.8?
I may have been interested in this lens myself if I wasn't already the owner of the outstanding 16mm F2 (your review finally won me over for that purchase and it really is an amazing lens). Well since then I've moved from my Sony a68 a-mount camera to the Sony a6600 e-mount system instead. I was wondering if you've ever considered or even been interested in testing Sony's SEL30M35? I loved the little 30mm macro on the a-mount system but sadly it ended up with fungus so had to dispose of it! I would love to see what you think of the e-mount 30mm F3.5 macro? Keep up the great work with the videos, I really enjoy watching them even if most are unavailable to me.
Would love to see the focus breathing test like in your newer test. 😀
Great content as always. Can you please review the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G? is it worth the premium?
Hi Chris! its really nice and helpful your contents, I enjoy it.. Succes!! Can you make a lil review of the Tokina 14-20mm f2.0?.. It will be very appreciate.. With the best!!
Hello Chris,
the Funleader 18mm f/8 Caplenses did just start shipping. Will you review one of those?
Best regards from Austria
I have the lens I bought it used at a pawn shop for $150.00 it still had the original box . On Pentax the lens is chipped so Apature is set in camera. I am impressed with lens and use it mostly for low light hand held photography as I have zoom lens which go wider which I use for daylight photography . I did do a daylight photo walk with it and I was impressed with the pictures it produced on my asp-c camera as it was a cloudy day
Great reviews always👍...Can you review kamlan 50mm f1.1 mark2 vs 7artisan 55mm f1.4 vs 7artisan 60mm macro lens, I not see any video on internet about them please thank you.
Missing "Howdy everybody".
Thanks for the great review!!! I was looking at this for some astrophotography. I know apsc DSLR are kind of on the decline but any chance of you reviewing the new Tokina atx-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF?
Possibly sometime in the new year. I'm more interested in their new Firin and Opera lenses TBH
I am intrested in using this lens for astrophotography by pairing with my EOS R. Have you ever tried it with EOS R? I think the biggest advantage of this lens compared to wider aperture others like sigma f1.4 art series lenses, you can put a filter and that is my reason to consider this lens over others... I am also open for any suggestions...
Thank you for the good review...
Love your reviews Chris. So thorough. Samyang. Rokinon. Bower, all low quality lenses at an affordable price (pretty much the same lens with different logo). I've had a number of these lenses earlier on and have always had issues with the lenses being de-centered. If you do buy one, make sure you test it thoroughly at the widest aperture / infinity to test focus from centre / left / right. I bought one second hand and found it to be slightly out. I took it to a lens specialist who took it apart and was shocked to see that the lens elements were held in place by glue. He could not fix it. He mentioned that these lenses have a shelf life. Eventually the glue will fail and elements will shift. Whatever you do, don't even bash the lens let alone drop one. Personally I think it's great if you happen to find a sharp lens and look after it. The results can be phenomenal. I'd not buy one second hand ever again as you can't test and send back for a replacement.
I've never heard of that happeneing before
It's actually widely documented on the internet (in reviews) that these lenses suffer from being de-centred. The manufacturers don't test these lenses as scrupulously as the higher end brands. Just something to be aware of when purchasing a Samyang lens. If not de-centred, these lenses are pretty amazing for the price.
Very good 20mm *f2.8* lens
Hi can you make a short video using this lens to vlog?
yongnuo 35mm f1.4 please?
will that work for older film bodies like nikon f100, nikon f4, or canon eos7 elan?
Where can I get this lens? Everywhere I look it's not available. I live in Switzerland
Did anyone notice that the lower part of the picture is darker if you were shot in Live view mode with this lens @ F/1.8 ?
no problem with normal mode
I found this problem with my 6d
Like your reviews but it's really sad that there is no test of Nikon lenses on your channel...
will you make a review of the Samyang 21mm F1.4 for APS-C? Thanks in advsnce!
there is a review on Lenstip.com
chris - how does this compare to samyang 21mm 1.4?
Please do 7artisans 35mm f1.4 for sony
Guessing that this would make a great full frame night photography lens? Judging by how decent the coma levels are.
This is so good, thanks for doing this review. What would your pick be between this and the Viltrox 20mm f1.8 for astrophotography?
If you have a mirrorless camera then you might as well go for the Viltrox and save having to use an adaptor. The Viltrox will not work on a Digital SLR at all
@@christopherfrost thanks very much for the reply. I use a Sony a7S & a7R, however am likely going to adapt anyway as I've been looking at the Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 as my UWA zoom option. I'll take your comment as there isn't enough performance difference between them to warrant one clearly over the other, and just get whatever is cheapest that comes my way. Thanks again.
@@dominic-ryan for sony the viltrox is slightly smaller and better built. Otherwise its very much about which lens rendering you prefer. I beleive the viltrox might be sharper based on reviews of it but the samyang imo has more character and I prefer its rendering...I know its subjective. I have the samyang 35mm 1.2 and its quickly become my favourite over other more expensive sony lenses
It has no Auto focus?
I love that you used the 6D in a lot of these reviews....I am looking to get the lens for my 6D I got off of ebay for $450 for astrophotography. The 6D is a SOLID piece of gear. i own an a6300, A7S, A7R II but i prefer the 6D for my astro work
I have a 6D. And i prefer the bokeh and image quality of 6D, than mirrorless options like, R Rp or Sony cameras.
Hi Chris, I was wondering what wide angle prime you would recommend for smoothest/creamiest bokeh? I'm looking for between 28-35mm equivalent FL on APS-C. Thanks so much!
Rokinon 12mm f2 if you're looking for a manual focus
Hi Christopher. One question:
Are you gonna review the Samyang 21mm f/1.4 for mirrorless?
I've got some other Samyang lenses to test first
Hello again chris! Would it be possible for you, to review this lense:
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di LD (IF) Macro (Canon)
SAL is the Code for Sony A-Mount Lens, not Tamron
@@tuanraven131 But... Doesn't that just mean it's Tamron lens with sony A-mount?
There is a Canon version of that lens. It is an older design but I’d like to see it too. I have a Tamron 70-300 VC USD and liked it and want to know how the 70-200 VC USD 2.8 is even though they have a newer one. I don’t have a lot of money so that’s the kind of lenses I’m thinking about getting. Older 2.8 ones like the Canon 17-35 2.8L, the 28-70 2.8L or even the magic drainpipe but at that focal length I need stabilizers because I can’t hold shit still lol
Can you compare with the Viltrox manual 20mm? I have the VIltrox, so it'd be interesting to see how these cmopare
Take a look at my review of that lens - my tests are all standardised :-)
15-35 f2.8 pls.
The difference in corner performance between the FF Canon and FF Sony is a good example of the effects of sensor stack thickness - the thickness of material that is applied to the surface of the sensor. In this example it demonstrates why, for optimum performance, a lens must be designed for a particular sensor stack thickness. This lens is clearly optimised for Canon sensors, or sensors with the same stack thickness. In the case of the Sony, I suspect the lens could be refocused to produce sharper corners at the expense of the centre. Of course it is only critical testing that shows the differences in optical performance between sensors of the same size. Unfortunately, stack thickness information is not readily available.
Doesn't seem to be a problem with a lot of other lenses I've tested
Hi Chris, We saw the same phenomenon a few months back on test you did on a Canon lens - ua-cam.com/video/6HUvsaQNT5E/v-deo.html. With the improvements in modern lens design at wide apertures and your critical testing, the stack thickness is having a detectable effect. The light is simply refracted differently after it leaves the lens but before it reaches the actual sensor due to the thickness of the coating applied to the sensor itself. I don't think this is down to the higher resolution of the Sony because the sharpness comparison is at the same magnification. I must say your tests are brilliantly presented and a very fantastic resource to all us keen photographers.
Thanks - but I'm still not sure that's it's not just a sharpness issue. For example, see my test on the Sigma 28mm f/1.4 ART, adapted onto a Sony camera
Hi Chris,
I think I found the review you mentioned on the 28mm Sigma. The only FF camera that it was tested on was the Sony. I'm wondering if there might have been a difference with the 6D, as the corners were soft on the Sony. There is a sharpness issue in that that the image can be sharp in the centre and the corner for the Canon, yet the same test shows only a sharp image in the centre for the Sony - how could the lens alone cause that? The image must be the same in both cases. However, we do know there is an optical block attached to the sensor, and we must assume the type of glass used, and also the thickness is not consistent between manufacturers. Perhaps the lower resolution of the 6D is masking the difference, but I'm not convinced.
@@epicyclic The 28mm Sigma lens was very sharp in the corners of the Sony camera - that's my point. It's also worth remembering that the difference between a 20mp sensor (6D) and a 42mp (Sony a7R II) is huge - it's not surprising at all that this Samyang lens is struggling a little there
I'd say they could have made this f/2 instead of f/1,8 and it'd be a bit sharper wide open while not losing much light and also being able to make the lens a bit smaller and lighter.
I think what any manufacturer would have to do is make a lens physically capable of wider aperture, lock out the widest aperture, and advertise it as being a slower lens. That way, every review would say, "Wow, it's even perfect wide open!"
I've never heard of any company brave enough to try it however ... probably because they'd still have to size it and price it like the faster lens that it would truly be.
I bought the 14mm 2.8 and it's a piece of dudu. Went to a camera repair center, the amount of bad copies out there is outstanding.
I luckily have a great copy. However, I have thr 24 f1.4 and it is traaaash lol
@@keenarnia lucky you, i will have to find another one
Where is review for Yongnuo AF 14mm f2.8 for Canon EF mount? Are you planning it at all? 🤔 If so can you compare Yongnuo AF 14mm vs Samyang AF 14mm as photographer. Thanks 👍
I might do one next year
Christopher Frost Photography anyway I bought it already 😬 very good build quality as I think YN 14mm f2.8 better for photographers than Samyang which is made for videographers...
Could anybody tell me the name of that beach @ 9:18 please? It looks idyllic!
Mwnt, in Wales
@@christopherfrost thanks for the reply - it looks stunning! Thanks for sharing your photos and reviews.
3:00 you will notice that we have a lot of vignetting down to below section of the picture.
Because you using it with 6D and liveview mode. To eliminate vignetting just using with OVF mode instead.
You have no idea what you're talking about, do you
@@davidhrzenjak Sorry for my bad explanation.
In down side of the picture it gonna be darker if you using this lens with 6D and capture in liveview mode, it's happened to me too.
If I misunderstood, please advise. Thank you
Chirs please review zeiss 24mm f1.8 apsc 🙏
Yes, that lens will be covered early next year
@@christopherfrost yes this lens is very old but I think for 35mm look sony apsc for now its very fun for street photography and many more. Please chris 🙏🙏
For that kind of money, that's not a bad lens.
The Sigma 16, and 30mm DC DN have been the bread and butter of Sony APS-C for a long time, but you never tested the 30.
Test is coming soon
where's your EOS R camera?
I can only test a lens on so many cameras before I (and my viewers) begin to lose my mind
Take USA price, convert to pounds and add tax and you have the UK price. In the USA, tax is not shown in the price advertised. Where I live you would add 10% to the advertised price for local sales tax.
For God's sake! Third. Awwwmmm.
4th
Are you learning Korean?
I learned a tiny bit when I lived in Korea
@@christopherfrost Nice!