Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E lens review with samples

One of my favourite lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras was always the classy little manual focus Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS (my review: • Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS C... ). Today Samyang are announcing the launch of a new autofocus version of the lens with improved coatings - let's see what it can do.
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All pictures taken by me on Sony a7R II / a5100 cameras.
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[@EFFTEEZEE]

Finally... AF ultra-wide prime lens for E mount APS-C cameras is now available.. Say goodbye to overpriced sel1018 and zeiss touit 12mm

[@jochenkraus7016]

@Alltid_Aldrig I think it depends on focus distance and how big the photos are when you look at them. When there are frequent macro-ish shots it's conventient.

[@mohsin_sait]

The Tamron 11-20 will be a great option.

[@avavaviv1]

@@mohsin_sait twice the price tho

[@mohsin_sait]

@@avavaviv1 yea, but it's more versatile

[@MarijnvdZaag]

@Alltid_Aldrig for landscapes the old mf version is indeed good enough, but I personally love 12mm most for closeups of moving subjects like my son, and that's where autofocus is going to be extremely useful!

[@erikfarkas7868]

i wish they released this for fujifilm as well. I have the manual focus version and like it a lot.

[@TheBobes]

It should be released for Fuji X mount next month. For around €400.

[@Vinterloft]

The Fuji version went up for preorder today!

[@gaudet3730]

Love the manual version, so excited to get my hands on the AF version. Your videos are absolutely superb. I don't even look anywhere else for my lens reviews. Whatever you say, I go with. Cheers!

[@steventhomas231]

Samyang are killing it with affordable light weight and still sharp lenses. I hope they bring some to Nikon Z.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Good thing there is a Sony E to Nikon Z adapter that works pretty well. I've been using it for my Nikon Z6 and Z50

[@steventhomas231]

@@CallMeRabbitzUSVI i did wonder about that. How is the AF using the adapter?

[@aditya_gupta]

@@CallMeRabbitzUSVI i heard that af e to z adapter doesn't work on z50

[@sunesnigel]

@@aditya_gupta you get a connector with it so you can update the firmware at home. But i don't know how it works with the z50. As far as i understand they are actively updating it when there are miss matches.

[@aditya_gupta]

@@sunesnigel it's physically incompatible

[@saifaldin_]

That 220g weight is really tempting. I only shoot wide when the scene absolutely calls for it; so a light and portable prime like this means there’s a higher chance I’ll be bringing it together for that occasional shot.

[@saifaldin_]

I just thought somebody might find this useful: Samyang AF 12mm f2 E Weight 213g (224g w hood) Length 59.2mm Min focus 0.19m 0.09x Mag ratio f2 - f22 Centre sharpest at f4> f5.6 & f2.8 > f8 Average sharpest at f4 > f5.6 > f8 Centre sharpness excellent from f2-f8, very good at f11 - f22 Edge sharpness excellent at f4 & f5.6 very good at f8 & f2.8 good at f2 & f11 Softer at f16 & f22 CA practically non-existent in the centre but strong at the edges at all apertures Vignette only prominent at f2 Distortion good at 1.92% Flare control excellent, smooth bokeh

[@jre617]

Excellent, thanks. I'm very excited about this lens. I love how small Sony's APS system is, perfect for travel. I can make perfectly sharp 20x24 prints; I feel no need to go FF.

[@cypherdk85]

The fact that they added weather sealing is a great plus in my book.

[@KevinZJR]

Samyang, please send the 24mm f/1.8 to Chirst, ASAP!

[@renzojuarez6512]

WE WANT Samyang AF 12mm VS SIGMA 16mm !!!

[@amitkrupal1234]

Interesting Sigma 16 f/1.4 is one stop faster & sharper but Samyang is 4 mm wider. Recently Tamron launched 11-20 f/2.8 but at $829. Samyang seems to be affordable.

[@renzojuarez6512]

@@amitkrupal1234 Samyang 200gr less than sigma! omg... we want the comparasion

[@eliseogermanstenta]

That original 12 was magic on apcs. When i moved to FF this is the lens i missed the most.

[@zd.visuals]

There is a Samyang 18mm f2.8 which is pretty much the same focal length on FF. Christopher also did a review on it.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@zd.visuals I was going to comment the same thing, an 18mm f/2.8 is theoretically the same as long as the actual optical performance is similar.

[@Noojtxeeg]

As an owner of the sanyang XP 1.2 primes, I would absolutely love it if they decided to give those primes the same treatment.

[@sic04250f]

There is a market for it too. I won't go near the standard Samsung ultra wides.

[@gamingbygunx4024]

I have pre-ordered the lens, can't wait to pair it with my a6400 + feiyu G6 max. For light Vlog set up this might be the best combination 🥰

[@merylmaygregory9799]

Hi, how’s the lens doing so far for vlogging?

[@gamingbygunx4024]

@@merylmaygregory9799 im so happy for using it so far

[@HectorSuzy]

Now that Fuji has opened up their API, please let's hope more manufacturers including Samyang will be releasing AF lenses for Fuji!

[@Termidryna]

Indeed!

[@rafsnchz]

They already did. the problem is only Sigma is about to release lenses for Fuji X and its probably going to be sigma f1.4 trio, which is good but nothing special. Tamron said they are not going to make lenses for Fuji X because demand is low, it's sad, but that's reality, everybody is on E-mount. Tamron recently dropped 17-70mm f2.8 and few days ago 11-20mm f2.8 for E-mount and no for Fuji X, although they could, because Fuji is open now for 3rs party autofocus lenses.

[@emerywd]

@@rafsnchz sony part own Tamron. Draw your own conclusions. The Sigma trio however are great on either ApsC or MFT.

[@rafsnchz]

@@emerywd but that's the problem. this is the only thing that keeps me from switching to Fuji X, I'm not ready to pay so much for their outdated f1.4 lenses. I really hope that Samyang and Sigma are going to release a bunch of lenses for Fuji X soon.

[@emerywd]

@@rafsnchz i think new 1.4s are coming. If the 18mm 1.4 had been available last year, I would have bought it and not the sigma 28mm 1.4 full frame i did buy

[@splash6579]

Finally a super wide angle for sony apsc with reliable autofocus and sharp f2.0 aperture 👍we should thank mr. Christopher and samyang to possible this review !

[@mochmoch9453]

Hi, all of your lens reviews are by far the best on KZbin ! Thank you

[@matthewneleigh567]

I've enjoyed the older manual version on my M3/M6... if they put out the AF version for EF-M, I'll certainly have to consider it.

[@eliasbergman7391]

Would you be able to review the new Fuji 70-300 lens?

[@asa466]

I sold my DSLR and got a mirrorless mainly just to use this lens (MF version), very impressed with the optics and it's been my most-used lens since. Hoping they release the AF version for Canon EF-M.

[@thortschman]

I did the same. A shame they excluded Canon M now...

[@HectorSuzy]

Hallelujah! Chris Frost to the rescue when I wonder how the new lens will perform! Yaaay!

[@campa_t]

ok samy now complete this series with a 32mm f2 and a 90mm f2 and i’m sold

[@julienxie1110]

Nice and simple review, as always ! Impressive, no sign of this lens anywhere else on the internet yet!

[@dougmorato]

That's a really nice lens for sure. Well done Samyang!!!

[@kamel3d]

You should have made video teat because this lens could be good replacement for canon wide zooms

[@Garbid]

Manual 12f2 is best purchase for real estate photography. I bought one used for 150 usd 4 years ago and still using it. Build as tank and was dropped twice. Nice to see af version.

[@slimphotog]

Is the 16mm Sigma too wide for real estate? I can't decide between the Samyang or the Sigma.

[@StephanWahlen]

I remember that the original Samyang 12mm was soo popular for good reasons. This AF version seems to be a worthy update on that. EDIT: The price is 399€ so the same as the original, seems very fair!

[@TechnoBabble]

You really gotta start doing your autofocus speed test in continuous focus mode. Single focus is basically entirely contrast detect, where continuous uses phase detect as well.

[@benjamin5126]

Hello Christopher, thank you for your reviews - I really enjoy watching them! I hope this lens will come for EOS M, too. What I would really like to see is a re-testing of the fast standard zoom lenses on the more demanding 32.5 megapixel sensor of the 90D/M6 Mark II, because I'm looking for a good walkaround lens for my M6 Mark II

[@frankc.9853]

Thank you for showing what this lens looks like on a full frame camera! I thought I had a dud... It's going back Monday morning!

[@Barnyz]

nice price but CA is a little disappointing. I hope you will be reviewing the new tamron 11-20 soon :) Thanks for another excellent video. I honestly wouldnt buy a lens without watching your review of it first!

[@XDario91]

hope as well! even if for half the price it's a very different deal

[@patrick.771]

that's why I hope that he gets some Nikon Z lenses in :) I also love this reviews ...

[@Vinterloft]

"CA is a little disappointing" well it's either that or the lens will be the size of an oil barrel (like the Fuji 8-16mm F2.8)

[@DanPandrea]

Can't wait to see what this lens can do when shooting the Milky Way!

[@jrc1156]

Hi chris, Hope you can share your workflow with your astrophotography. I think you're astro pics are gorgeous.

[@luxdalet]

Amazing review! Lens came out the week I bought the manual version of it 😅 Though it was cheaper, and I still have a slight preference for manual focus and aperture rings. It is great Samyang are delivering such awesome lenses. Thank you for the epic video! Blessings!

[@AnuragSharma-jx8df]

Hey Chris if possible do create a video on the new Samyang 24mm f1.8.....

[@JordanIsaak]

Any word if Samyang are considering releasing this lens for EF-M? I have the original MF version and would buy this one if it were available for my camera.

[@MartinWimpress]

Completely agree. This lens for EF-M would be an insta-purchase 🤑

[@amitkrupal1234]

Saw your Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 review. Seems both this samyang ad 12 f/2 & tamron is softer at wide end only in corner. Whereas samyang solve chromatic abbreviations only ay f/2.8 for closeup. Even at f/8 tamron is not as sharp as expected at 11mm.

[@SovietLensReviews]

This is how a modern cheap lens should be done! Super lightweight, no nonsense design that keeps the price low with gradual improvements.

[@amitkrupal1234]

3:28 f/11 looked little softer than f/4

[@PooyaSadeghi]

Can I use it for video on a full frame camera? does it turn on the cropping automatically?

[@AJCoReTV]

Perfect for my A6100, just wish there was a Full frame version, so I could use it for my A7C as well.

[@kendallbarthelmy2881]

Why not just use it in APSC mode?

[@devalah]

as someone already stated above "there is a Samyang 18mm f2.8 which is pretty much the same focal length on FF".

[@Whaever_1981]

Great review, thanks! As for the focus breathing, for a 12mm focal length, I think it's not moderate but heavy focus breathing! This, combined with the heavy Chromatic Aberration makes it a non lens for videography. Great for photo's though!

[@sleepless51]

I agree, looks pretty heavy. Is there an alternative APS-C lens with the same focal length and aperture suitable for video?

[@KEZ]

Hey, you have any idea about how this lens performs in video autofocus ?

[@Hugozen]

@1:55 wobbling in your hand.... exactly!

[@derTommy]

This is huge improvement. No need anymore for the Zeiss.

[@yanniklorenz9634]

Hello, thank you for your truly good review style. Could you please review Sony 10-18mm F/4 and maybe compare it with Sigma 16mm F/1.4 and Tamron 11-20mm F/2,8 Di III-A RXD ? Can you please let me know what was the sharpest and most contrasty E-mount (E or FE) lens for sony aps-c cameras?

[@MrYoohootuber]

Samyang have really been putting out very interesting lenses over the past couple of years. On a side note, is that Mwnt beach in one of your you photos? Beautiful place to visit.

[@christopherfrost]

Yup, Mwnt :-) I used to minister in the church there.

[@uhaggar]

Great review Chris, I have the manual version which I mainly use for Astro in my A6600 and I love it, did you test the manual focus and would this work well for astro? As you know some auto fous lenses are difficult to focus to infinity when used in dark conditions.

[@munimum]

Is that pouch/case comes with the lens?

[@frankoseven]

Hello I have a question. Is it normal that the Aperture not changes automaticially while filming? I use the Sony a6400 + Samyang 12mm AF. When I make photos I see in the display the changing of the aperture but when I filming a video it not change. What I do wrong?

[@rosamultimedia]

Hey . How works AF ? I think about this lens

[@frankoseven]

@@rosamultimedia the AF works well and I'm happy with it. In my last 2 Videos on my KZbin channel you can see the results.

[@wolfrainerschmalfuss3515]

Autofocus is for this lens supefluous, and pushes the price up only!

[@DennisMeetsWorld]

Pushes the price up? It's the same price as the original MF lens when it was originally released...

[@Vinterloft]

@@DennisMeetsWorld The MF version is almost half the price today though. The AF version will probably never come down

[@CharlezRichard]

Correction ... this lens is available for Sony E-Mount and Fujifilm X-Mount.

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Amazing review, thanks! I am trying to understand if it'd be a good lens for vlogging in studio and while walking too.

[@JoATTech]

Looks like new best vlogging lens for sony APS-C. Although stabilization there is not the best. I wonder how face and eye-AF works in video with this lens. I'm going to sell my manual 12mm to get this one.

[@rosamultimedia]

You use this Lens? AF is good ?

[@AndreaMartinezuru]

Hello Christopher, i always chek your reviews to decide wich lenses shuld i buy, im on a low budget now, i wanted the Rokinon 12mm for mi M3 but i find a cheaper 7artisans 12mm F2.8, did u try it? Ty for all the info u share and all the reviews are great!

[@johnlochness]

My samyang 12mm F2 is my favourite lens for my A6500. Not sure I need an AF version, so are the optical improvements worth an upgrade.

[@IzzatZubir]

This came almost at the same time as tamron 11-20mm f2.8 for aps-c. Please try the tamron when it comes out!

[@antony_reynolds]

This is one great alternative for Sigma 16 f1.4 !

[@lyaxedm1825]

I'm going with the sigma any day

[@bl00me18]

How is a 12mm an alternative to a 16mm? Anyways, the Samyang doesn‘t even come close to the Sigma.

[@antony_reynolds]

@@bl00me18Even it has a lower Aperture it is wider. I would like to have a wider lens.

[@kiwipics]

A shame it isn't for Canon M.

[@awake780]

The chromatic aberration is strong with this one... nice sun stars though.

[@geopapa80]

Biggest improvement are the decent sunstars. They finally did it!

[@IanHobday]

Great review! Any chance of a review of the new Samyang FE 24/1.8 sometime soon?

[@NighthunterNyx]

No review of the Samyang 24/1.8?

[@legend240891]

finally a handsome looking Samyang lens!

[@alexaudiovisuals]

Early as usual sir, but whres the 24mm f1.8 review, didnt samyang give you one?

[@EinzMY]

Yes. Waiting for CF review on the samyang 24mm 1.8. If its good enough on aps-c body, I might buy one in the future.

[@RonexSportsGamesandVlog]

I got confuse. Why No vignette when you try the autofucs on fullframe.

[@caldera878]

The non-AF version will definitely become a great bargain now.

[@jetlag1488]

2 months after you posted this comment and... nope, no bargains as far as I can find.

[@DennisMeetsWorld]

I purchased one a couple months ago for $120!

[@TorresinhoLFC]

Can you upload the full frame raw image so i can see how much i have to crop if I want to use it in FF?

[@paulbecker6968]

This one or waiting for the new Tamron 11-20 f2.8 - let‘s see how the Tamron performs. Sadly, Tamron 11-20 is double the price.

[@KathyXie]

I wish they make a m43 version, is like half of the price of the Olympus 12 f2 and like a third of the pana leica 12 1.4

[@raylewis6399]

Great review. 👍🏽

[@primelricafrente]

cool... what do you think the best for my a7s? the new 24mm 1.8 or the 12mm 2? for astro? currently I got the 14mm 2.8 MF . cheers from New Zealand

[@andy.photoandfilm]

It's a shame the breathing is so strong - the a7IV having the s35 mode in 4k60 would have made the AF version of this lens a very interesting option! 🤔

[@tulitable]

Great review as always 👏 Did you hear something about a 12mm af-lens for Fuji-X-mount?

[@Vinterloft]

This lens went up for preorder for Fuji X today

[@shotbyjerryco5457]

how would u rate this for car videography with a camera? i was thinking of this lens or the 24mm 2.8 by rokinon?

[@MasoodJamal]

Which these lenses do you suggest for indoor real estate videography in a noisy situation with Sony ZV-E10 camera ? Sony 11mm f.1/8 Samyang 12mm Rokinon 12mm Tamron 11-20mm

[@ameiya8949]

if you had an extra budget, you can get the Sony 11mm for the fast autofocus

[@attentionaddicts]

This has just been released for Fuji mount.

[@neilcameron434]

Looking forward to the samyang 24 1.8 review and how it compares to the viltrox

[@avavaviv1]

This looks absolutely great. I was missing something like this for Sony APS-C.

[@simontramper]

It's coming out in Fuji mount as well

[@jorghermann8999]

Hey Christopher. Please excuse my comment which not actually concerns this video. Have I been missing your review of the Samyang 85 1.4 AF on the R5? If not: do you contemplate to do such a review? I'm looking forward 😊. By the way: I'm a great fan of what you are doing. I bought the lens for my R due to your review 😎. Great decision. And finally even my wife loves the sound of your voice and your English... all my best wishes for you and your family.

[@christopherfrost]

I might do that review some time in the future :-)

[@reg171reg]

It’s a curious decision to not allow the lens hood to be reversible

[@tapasyatyaga4041]

Can someone explain why AF is necessary on a super wide angle lens since zone focusing is so effective.

[@albert333pool]

It's $199 on Amazon right now 🙌

[@MasoodJamal]

Which camera lens is a good choice for indoor Real Estate videography with Sony ZV-E10, Samyang 12mm, Tamron, 10-24mm F/3, Rokinon10mm F2.8 and Laowa 9mm please guide ?

[@yonnoid2667]

laowa 9mm zero d for sure

[@Aksunkuvat]

So good sunstars gonna wait fuji version

[@eghaadam5794]

Put the focal length aside, this lens vs Sigma 16mm f1.4 which one do you choose?

[@matijasajko1]

YES! Thank you Samyang.

[@p4ul.f708]

This lens came absolutly unexpected and I am really unsure wether I should keep my sigma 16mm or get this lens. They did an awesome job :O

[@saifaldin_]

Yes, not easy deciding between these two. In general, i would say that the Sigma is better corrected in camera, and has less shortcomings at larger apertures. However, these advantages comes at a cost: almost twice as heavy compared to the Samyang.

[@p4ul.f708]

@@saifaldin_ yup sure. Its still not too heavy imo though. As I see it for landscape and astro the sigma is a no brainer, because ut is very easy to tale multiple pictures and merge them together to get the look of the samyang - I tried that yesterday. Plus with this method it has the advantage of having an even better resolution. Xou always can stitch and get a wider field of view woth an wide angle but you will never be able to zoom in to an ultrawide pciture and see it in full resolution vompared to an wide angle. Its fairly simple, really: Imo you only need this focal length, if: - you are lazy and dont want to stitch the pictures to get the ultra wide angle look -> you want a straight out of the camera ultra wide angle picture - you want to see your compositions before you take the picture - you want to film video in ultrawide - you want to do ultra wide street photography Also keep in mind that the Iso doubles from f1.4 to f2 ! :0 Oh and the sigma definitly is the sharper one of the two 🤷‍♂️ So yeah I guess I will keep my Sigma 16, cause it is fairly easy to emulate an ultra wide angle with an wide angle. Idk if this was helpful to you - those are just my thoughts 🤷‍♂️ If you want to know/see what exactly I mean by emulating jsut ask. 🤷‍♂️

[@norgerichard]

You saved my day :)

[@MrAboaoof]

I was wondering if you could compare high megapixels camera vs low megapixels camera in the same lens to see what kind of demand you mean (Like canon R6 vs R5) Thank you!

[@JustDavidMinistries]

Thank you so much for this review, Chris. I have the Sigma 16mm f1.4 for my Sony a6300. Would you recommend this in my case, please?

[@liviuvelichi6847]

I have owned both the Sigma 16 1.4 and the original Samyang 12 2.0 and unless you really need a wider field of view and an overall smaller and lighter lens, the Sigma is miles ahead of both the OG and the new Samyang 12 mm. The Sigma is way brighter, it can produce much better bokeh and the overall optics are excellent, it exhibits far less chromatic aberrations and it also controls flaring way better than both Samyang lenses. Another thing to mention, maybe they fixed it on the new Samyang lens but on the old one, the lens hood was causing an obscene amount of vignetting, this is something that Christopher somehow has not mentioned in his original review

[@JustDavidMinistries]

@@liviuvelichi6847 Aww I can’t thank you enough! Thank you so very much. I really appreciate you for this response ❤️

[@Donbros]

This can be nice for apsc camera and ocassionally when you need to do real eatste

[@tommychong3167]

If they release for X mount, I will buy immediately

[@Vinterloft]

Then that day is today (preorders are live)

[@wildlifelouie]

Please review the new tamron 150-500 when it comes out!

[@WillsFilms2013]

I wonder if anyone can help with an issue I am having with this lens on my a6300. Whenever I take a picture the camera has this increadible delay when shooting stopped down. I have to wait for the aperture blades to stop down incrementally before it fires. The delay is around 0.5-1s sometimes. Is there any fix and is this normal as it's infuriatingly slow to take a photo and will likely mean that some shots are missed.

[@kwangmingtan1351]

Is this compatible with Sony zve-10?

[@didierr.1090]

I'm would not replace my manuel one, the AF model is not ok for many use. At 12mm, AF is absolutly not necessary.

[@peruslax2458]

Can I use this Lens on my Sony Alpha R II ? I was thinking that the Lens ist only for APS-C but in this Video he used it on a Sony R II.

[@saifaldin_]

Used in crop mode on FF.

[@MasoodJamal]

Can we use Samyang 12mm new version manually also?

[@skolforce]

Is this full frame or aps-c lens???

[@vaibhavpisal]

Much prefer manual focus version.