SAMYANG 12mm F2.0 Review

The version I use (for the GH5): amzn.to/2oVtFgL
The Samyang 12mm F2.0 is a rather humble relatively wide angle lens that serves it’s user well. It’s a lot more affordable than other lenses in it’s category and delivers a nice sharp bright image that I am quite happy with. I originally bought this lens almost on a temporary basis as I wanted it for a few gimbal orientated jobs I was doing but I found that I liked it a lot for vlogging and day to day use. It’s very similar in it’s image to the Sigma 18-35 when at 18mm. The lens is also a fairly popular astro photography lens and some experts in that field swear by it. I found that the 12mm focal length on my GH5 was a slight bit cropped for interior gimbal use. I.e. if you’re shooting ‘walkthrough’ type stuff, you may feel that you want something slightly wider. I’d imagine that on a Sony aps-c it’s be really wide, the 2x crop of the GH5 can be limiting.
As it’s a manual focus lens, it’s not going to be for everyone but I’d recommend it for those on a budget who want to shoot nice sharp images. I've used it only really for filmmaking rather than photography as I still use my 80D for photography and the GH5 for video.
Please subscribe if you can, it’d mean a lot to me and also a thumbs up would be great. Feedback on the video is also appreciated!

[@HuFilms]

Hey folks, newest video from me. Not a 'scientific test' type vid, moreso a hands on type review from a filmmaking and vlogging point of view. Feel free to comment below and a thumbs up or sub would be greatly appreciated!

[@MrHamReviews93]

Really polished feel to this review! Very helpful, thanks! Love your b-roll shots too.

[@HuFilms]

Awesome comment to get. Really appreciate it, thanks!

[@samueltabotta]

Finally a good review of this lens👍, hopefully you try out some of the other MFT specific samyang lenses

[@A1Bokeh]

The shot of the bike amazing. Just ordered this lens for 178 used.

[@DavidHernandezLovesYou]

Thanks for the review, very helpful!

[@Tx66]

outstanding review, helped me so much in my purchase decision. Just got it, can't wait!

[@HuFilms]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the nice words! Enjoy the lens!

[@ChillExplore]

Great review, video and editing. I sub !

[@theroamingcook]

I can't believe I just found your channel. Great looking lens. You have a new sub!

[@HuFilms]

Thanks a lot!

[@JamesGoldenboy]

I enjoyed this review & your soothing Irish accent. New SUB from me.

[@HuFilms]

Awesome, thanks so much!

[@lectrictraveler]

I am looking at that lens for my ZV-E10 I just purchased. I was looking at the Sigma 16mm 1.4 and this one but went with the 16mm for now instead. But will get this one eventually. I just subscribed and look forward to more of your videos. --chris

[@AiurMedia]

beautiful videos!

[@OutdoorFriendStudios]

Nice footage with your slider.

[@nimkal]

I'm about to pick this up for $220CAD from someone on Thursday :) I'm quite happy and excited to use it.

[@LightWthoutTheStatic]

People generally make the crop to FF comparison because it's the more prolific frame of reference for lensing! I really love the 14mm on the .64x speedbooster. So so so wide.

[@HuFilms]

I hear you, I have the .64 also.

[@mauricioperea]

amazing reviwe, but hey, You do a fine , excelent videos. Like an expert

[@XRONIKA]

Why I found this video only now? Time to subs!

[@HuFilms]

Cheers bro! Glad you found it!

[@henryl955]

blimey love the irish accent

[@margueriteguyot5542]

great review man.. thanks for this. Question, do you thing it can be used with a Metabones Speedbooster 7.1 on the BMPCC4K?

[@alessiorossi8366]

I also have this lens It's excellent

[@J-MLindeMusic]

A great review with awesome cinematography! I'm considering this or either the Olympus 12mm 2.0 as an astro lens for my GH4...Well, cant use auto focus in the dark, so the Olympus won't offer much advantage over the Samyang.

[@HuFilms]

Good point, I think the Samyang should deliver and it's quite cheap.

[@philipclayton4766]

I got the lens last August and put with my Sony 6100 I tried astro for the 1st time in my life and was gobsmacked! Never even knew there was a Milky Way above my house. I would really sing it's praises. @HughSweeney , great revue and looking forward to watching more before I get outside in the Bulgarian countryside to try a spot of vlogging as ell as landscape photography, cheers!

[@tomshinan1892]

Beautiful review, thanks! I have a GH5 and it's definitely too heavy with the Sigma 18-35 on the Crane 2. Would it make sense to buy the EF-mount version (for APS-C sensor) of the Samyang 12mm and use it with the Metabones 0.71x adapter to get a decently-wide 18mm frame? After all, the Metabones itself is not THAT heavy. Yet you chose to go for the MFT native version of the Samyang, and I wonder why

[@HuFilms]

I'd say for general gimbal work if you're using a .71x then a Tokina 11-16 might be as good. Sligthy more versatile. This lens natively gives lovely sharp results with no vignette whatsoever. But mixing it with the Meta I'm not so sure. I use the Tokina 11-16 cine a lot, it's heavy but still relatively light.

[@DatrysiadMedia]

Just purchased the cine version of this, excited, was using the kit lens 12-60mm on the G7, love the lens but I have the tilta nano x, since the kit lens is fly by wire doing focus racks is not good as its governed by the speed you rotate the lens. With this I can set hard stops for the racking and get what I want from it. Just gonna sell my drone now to cover the cost, as that's collecting dust lol

[@HuFilms]

Always a good idea to sell gear if it's just sitting idol.

[@johnnyandrews-stocksdaytra7887]

Could you do an in depth video on how you use manual focus in your videos?

[@turnpikemachine]

Johnny Andrews - Take Control Of Your Life check out yceeimaging on KZbin

[@cassandralange7993]

Thank you for the video ! Do you think this is a good lens for filming yourself for youtube video ? I hesitate between this lens and leica 15 mm F1.7

[@akmedias1027]

Great video and review Hugh I was just wondering which speed-booster you're using to connect the SAMYANG to the GH-5 body Thanks in advance.

[@HuFilms]

Thanks. No speed booster needed as it's an MFT lens.

[@urbanprismmedia]

I just bought this lens and I have a few issues (e.g. a lot of grain on a footage for some reason). I wonder if I can manage the settings to get the shots like yours here, which amaze. What a beautiful B roll & subscribed to see more

[@HuFilms]

Thanks a lot, really appreciate it. What iso are you shooting with? Grain would usually be an in camera thing.

[@urbanprismmedia]

​@@HuFilms I use Sony A7 II, it looks great with other lenses, i just cvant get this to be fairly neat and sharp. I got quite a lot of noise especially if I go any more than f 2.0. Its a new lens. Thanks man x

[@laylowstaylow]

It's a beautiful review…

[@HuFilms]

Thanks a lot, appreciate it.

[@jcblum1507]

amazing video and review, what filter you use for video blogging to prevent flares?

[@HuFilms]

Only the Genustech with no hood. It flared a bit. Using the slr magic variable nd now.

[@TheShabazzProduction]

Hugh at what f-stop is this lens the most sharpest?

[@artyomhvans]

Thank you for the review. Will it fit straight onto Lumix G7, or you need any adapters?

[@HuFilms]

If it's MFT then it should, no problem. You're welcome.

[@Betweenlands]

Hi Hugh, great review, thanks. As you have the sigma 18-35 how do you think the two lens compare for the GH5? I’ve held off getting the sigma for documentary simply because of it’s weight. I shoot a lot with the 15mm panasonic leica in low light and the 12-35 in better light. I’d like something a bit wider for reality tv hand-held doc shooting in low light but caught between the sigma and the 12mm samyang, panasonic leica 12mm is just to expensive. Am shooting mainly people so around 24mm (35mm) is a good focal length. Would love to hear your thoughts, cheers

[@HuFilms]

Firstly, I wouldn't spend huge money on a wide(ish) prime as it's not a flexible lens that you'll use all the time. It sounds like the Sigma will do the job of both lenses you're currently using and providing you have a Metabones it'll be brighter than both lenses. The 18-35 will give you the same width as the Samyang 12mm but it'll go down to around a 1.2mm in brightness with the speedbooster. In regards to it being 'heavy'. It's not really when you consider that you're using a light setup. In this video you'll see that I'm using the Atomos also and doing a lot of hand held. If I was you, I'd probably go for the sigma and maybe look at getting a wide angle like a Laowa 7.5mm. Do you use gimbals? H

[@Betweenlands]

Hi Hugh, thanks for the quick reply, had almost decided on the ef mount version of the 12mm samyang for the extra stop. But back the thinking about the sigma. I’m not using gimbals generally. Cheers

[@jd5787]

Hi! Any point getting this if you have access to a Leica 10-25mm F1.7? Thank you

[@jesusgarciaencuentra6001]

hello, samyang 12mm f2.0 or 24mm f1.5 for video ?, any other brand objective with autofocus that of good result ?, I have lumix gh5, thanks

[@szymonwannaplayguitar]

Thanks for another excellent review video! I'm looking for a 12 mm lens to my Panasonic Lumix G7, and Samyang 12mm looks like the right candidate. Cheers!

[@mindq4328]

How do we zoom in using this lens in sony a6000?

[@DennisMeetsWorld]

Clear image zoom

[@ezrakamari8123]

You probably dont care but if you're stoned like me atm then you can stream pretty much all the latest movies on Instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother during the lockdown :)

[@gideonmorgan9684]

@Ezra Kamari yea, I have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself :)

[@3VAudioVideo]

By walking forward! ;)

[@Satalax]

Does this lens has hard stops on the focus ring?

[@live4christ297]

what a good review! I wonder if it's wide enough to be standing 5ft away and be entirely in the frame. Could you comment on that?

[@HuFilms]

Thanks a lot!

[@AM2PMReviews]

So this is the same as the Rokinon?

[@Federico84]

Yes, Samyang, Rokinon, Walimex, Bower lenses, are the exact same thing rebranded

[@famdegroot1988]

Hi, is it possible to add a Viltrox speedbooster to the Samyang 12mm (Canon EF mount) and use it on a cropped camera (ie. a Canon M50) to get the full 12mm effect?

[@HuFilms]

Not sure. Drop a message to them on Facebook.

[@famdegroot1988]

@@HuFilms Thanks Hugh - do you mean to Viltrox or Samyang on facebook?

[@miloradstrbacki4248]

Hey man, there is a crop sensor version (for sony E mount and Fuji) so you could get that and just get an adapter!

[@lexipau]

The color grading is insanely amazing, what lut is this and was it shot on cinelike d?

[@HuFilms]

Hey, thanks a lot. Usually, I bang on a Fuji film type out at the end, though I reduce it's strength. Which shots are you referring to? a lot of this is the Blackmagic Production Cam.

[@lexipau]

@@HuFilms I mean the B-Roll shots, everything is absolutely perfect, I have to sub on your channel I hope you can do tutorial about different luts in the future.

[@HuFilms]

Thanks again. Usually, the LUT sort of helps. But I've learned a thing or two. I really want to do tut's on grading and editing so yes, on the way for sure.@@lexipau

[@fernRes7495]

I see really cool colors. For example on minute 5:43. The colors are amazing. Can you share the settings with us please? Thanks

[@Happy.C]

wow~i see the alfalaval P.H.E

[@odyssey.studios]

Hi, would this lens work well on the G7?

[@A1Bokeh]

Yes any m43 mount lens

[@kophotograph1803]

Nice Video. I really want to buy a wide or ultra wide lens for my gx80. This is a good lens but I think I want a more wide lens. But they are really expensive 😅 I have three options: 1. The Panasonic 8-18mm f2.8 (too expensive lol) 2. The Laowa 7.5mm f2 (a prime lens) 3. Olympus 9-18mm (only max f4.0) What would you chose? 🤔

[@colinthecameraguy]

Oliver Kusch i have been reading up on the Laowa 7.5mm, that aperture of f.2 is impressive plus you can get it now for £381 from Camera in the Post. I worked out that I could buy the Samyang AND the Laowa for the same money as the Lumix Leica 12mm (but that comes with AF and is f1.4)

[@kophotograph1803]

@@colinthecameraguy Sadly I'm living in germany, so I don't really want to buy it from the UK 😅 I think I will choose the Olympus as I can get it used for around 250€, which is really affordable. And if I think i need the larger aperture I can upgrade to the Leica or get the Laowa. But thanks for your comment 😁 Happy new year buddy 🎉

[@HuFilms]

I used to use the Tokina 11-16 with the Metabones .64 adaptor. The Laowa is appealing though very wide and limiting.

[@sfifilmer6523]

whats the name of the Gimbal that you use with it?

[@HuFilms]

Hi, that's the Zhyiun Tech Crane V2 (not crane 2). Now using the Ronin-s

[@sfifilmer6523]

thank you i will look them up

[@PhilippeOrlando]

If you put the lens on f/8 to f/11 most of the shot will be perfectly in focus.

[@JenkoRun]

I'm using the g7, I'm thinking about getting the 10mm version of this lens for landscape and astrophotography but it only has f2.8 Would you prefer the larger aperture or the wider angle?

[@GuitarTherapy144]

large angle. g7 has wonderful iso breath. you will have to stop it down anyways most of the time. any lens is better stopped down alteast 1 stop.

[@JenkoRun]

@@GuitarTherapy144 Thanks for the input, what causes a lens to work better when stopped down by at least 1?

[@GuitarTherapy144]

@@JenkoRun image is sharper, compressed light

[@JenkoRun]

@@GuitarTherapy144 Ah, makes sense. Cheers

[@sbcns]

What was the other version of this that cost 60-70 more? I heard cine version???

[@HuFilms]

Yeah, a cine version with a de-clicked cog ring for focus and aperture.

[@ArizonaMMJ]

Any advantage of using this over a more versatile 12-60?

[@HuFilms]

1. it's much brighter than the budget version of the 12-60 and .8 brighter than the expensive version. 2. It's a prime so it may be a bit sharper. 3. Weight and size on a gimbal?

[@ArizonaMMJ]

@@HuFilms fair enough. I don't shoot video, just landscape photos.

[@cieram8226]

What gimbal did you use?

[@HuFilms]

The crane 2 (not newer v2).

[@coldcrush1]

Will it work on a Lumix DMC G6 ?

[@A1Bokeh]

Yes

[@SonDialer]

Whats thr music?

[@HuFilms]

Recloose - sunshine. I think!

[@Cagey7531]

It's build pretty damn well for the money, it may not be Voigtländer level, but it's 1/4 the price. it is however better built than many native Oly or Panasonic lenses in the same price range, it's better built than the Pana-Leica 25 1.4 even, which costs a fair bit more. Samyang have become a respectable brand over the past 5yrs or so, I don't get why that should be a con? Most people into photo-gear now know what they are about. They do have AF lenses on the way which won't be so cheap btw.

[@HuFilms]

I hear what you're saying. Like Sigma, they are growing in reputation. I guess where I'm coming from is the 'ROKINON' side of things. I.E. lenses for filmmakers who can't afford expensive cine lenses. Afaik, Rokinon are the same brand.

[@candidonthestreetanupamgos5283]

Hey man. It's not zoom ring, its focus ring. It's not a zoom lens but a fixed focal length prime lens.

[@HuFilms]

Do you honestly think I don't know that this isn't a zoom lens? Really? Simple human error mate.

[@alessiorossi8366]

I found it at 217 € a real bargain

[@miniqwake7118]

One of your Cons: Samyang not a cool name? lol that was unexpected, do you think many people care about this, i think the $/quality is far more central. Look at Nikon, it means fuck in french, if you were true nobody would have choose a nikon ^^