Tiny New Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 Announced for E-Mount Lens Line-up

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by Adam PlowdenJune 8^th, 2017

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The ‘tiny but mighty’ Samyang AF 35mm F/2.8 FE is the third E-mount lens to have auto focus, promising mighty performance in a compact lens.

The new Samyang AF 35mm F/2.8 FE has been specifically designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, aimed at portability and delivering great image quality, all squeezed into a lens that’s only 3.3cm and 85g. This is the third E-mount lens from Samyang to include auto focus functionality, and with a price tag of €268/$399, it certainly ticks the affordability box in comparison to the competition from Sony and ZEISS.

Samyang claims that the lens delivers high resolution from the centre to the corners of the image. A bold claim. To achieve this, and reduce chromatic aberration, ghosting and flares (common on a fast, wide-angle lens), the Samyang AF 35mm F/2.8 FE has Ultra Multi Coating applied to each element, one high-refractive lens and two aspherical lenses. Combining this with what is promised to be fast and accurate auto focus, this lens could be a go-to choice for wide-angle shooting on the road, while traveling, or if you simply want a small and functional lens.

Because of the lens’ construction, AF capability and focal length, it could also be useful for filming with a handheld gimbal on a camera such as the Sony a7S II or a7R II with sensor stabilization. However, footage is yet to emerge demonstrating the focusing speed or whether it is capable of tracking focus throughout a shot.

Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE – Tech Specs

• Full-frame E-mount
• f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range
• Minimum focus distance of 35cm
• 7 lens elements in 6 groups
• Ultra Multi Coating to reduce flare and ghosting
• 49mm filter size
• Circular 7 blade aperture
• Weighs only 85g (without lens caps or hood)
• 33mm in length.

With a 35cm minimum focus distance and fast aperture of f/2.8, you have the choice of isolating subjects in circular bokeh for a more intimate shot. When used on an APS-C sensor, the equivalent focal length is 52mm.

This lens will tickle the taste buds of photographers and filmmakers alike as a versatile and affordable option. It will be interesting to see the results of the claimed high resolution and auto focusing when used in the field. There are a few sample photographs that you can check out on the Samyang website here.

Now that Samyang have the 14mm, 35mm and 50mm E-mount lenses with AF, could we see a 24mm or 85mm filling in the line-up gaps in the future?

The Samyang AF 35mm F/2.8 FE lens will be available globally from the end of July for $399/€268.

Does the new Samyang AF 35mm E-mount lens interest you for filming? Could it become a go to lens in your kit bag? Let us know in the comments!