Well done, Arthur. This is fantastic .unbiased. review. Stopping down your aperture helps minimize Chromic aberration. Shooting wide open creates purple fringing. I generally use f7.1 to f11 instead of using F/2.8 to f5.6 to see aberration is still there in my viewfinder. It seems like a good ultra-wide angle lens and I might give it a try.
I have the original, manual lens, have been using it for months now and it's awesome!! I manually focus most of the time anyway, and I find it to have some real character, and it's been extremely sharp for me, but I shoot 99% video as I'm a filmmaker. Can't speak on still photography, but for video, the manual lens is all kinds of dope, and I'm sure this one is as well, just with autofocus. Cool review, as always, looking forward to more, always.
Arthur, I really like your videos. They are very useful and interesting. And thanks to your diction, I understand every word and learn English 😁Thank you!
I think it is a suitable lens for taking pictures of the Milky Way with a aps c body. The bundled lens and the Sigma 16mm lens were 24mm when converted to a full frame angle of view, so it was a bit disappointing to capture the Milky Way. (There may be some grammatical errors using a translator. Please read it with that in mind)
Thanks for the review. I'll be sticking to the original 12mm Samyang, as 1) I run Fujifilm 2) it has an aperture ring 3) at f8 and above it pretty much has everything in focus anyway. Cheers
I hope Samyang also adds AF to the legendary 135mm f2. I won't mind a built in adapter for turning it into a mirrorless lens, but please Samyang, don't forget RF, Z and X mount.
Hey Arthur, do you think this or the Sony 10-18mm would be better for filming fast moving subjects outside? I make videos about sprinting and strength training, and need a wide angle for both the vlog style shots as well as for getting more action in-frame as the kit lens is too narrow for me.
The original Samyang was an astrophotography wonder, I took a lot of nice pictures of meteors and milky way with it. In my scenarios (landscapes, occasionally underwater) I seldom needed an auto focus, just focusing on the infinity was enough. But still glad to hear they made a new better and more user friendly version of it.
Hi tumanov, How did you set the new Smayang AF 12mm to infinity focus? i ask this because there is no markings on the lens? Im about to purchase it but i was stuck if to take the AF or the Manual lens. in few days time planning to take some milky way. Thank you in advance for the advise.
@@christianevangelista4562 hi, Christian. In nighttime it's easy: you choose a distant source of light, it may be a star or distant lamp, then use maximum focus magnification on camera and manually focus on it. That's it. You'll need to do it anyway with either lens, because autofocus doesn't work at night and doesn't help focusing on stars. In daytime you choose a distant object and also manually focus on it using camera focus magnification. I usually set focus magnification on a specific camera button. I would recommend an autofocus version though, not for astrophotography, but because: a price difference is not so big, and version with AF can be used for other purposes. For example, it's really good lens for vlogging.
A7C has a direct competitor, the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8, same size, same price, a bit sharper and way better at CA control. Might be a fun subject for a review since you have an A7C anyway.
I know it's not the best but I truly love this lens lite good looking and awesome price , got it for 259 and the great photographer that you are you really make this lens even more awesome !!!!!!!!
Arthur, I loved your articulation, voice tone and succinct delivery of this review. You speak with a huge trust factor. Thanks. Heya, I just grabbed the Samyang, for my Sony ZV-E10. I notice the wide angle is different when on photo vs video. It crops in on video. Why is that? Have you suggestions on settings to keep the ultra wide in video mode?
I liked my Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2.0 lens and did not mind the manual focus at all. However, as a prime, it was somewhat restrictive. I opted for the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 lens. A bit larger and heavier and certainly more expensive but, the Tamron is a great lens with a neat focal range...
A seal at the mount does not always say its actually sealing. my 24-104 F4 has a rubber seal at the mount but is actually does not touch the cameras mount.
I remember the 16mm Sigma was going to be your choice if you could only have one lens... The Sigma's disadvantages are the greater weight, size and not being as wide for Astro adventures. The Samyang is small and light and captures more. I wonder how much trouble we'd have with chromatic aberrations for a night sky... and vlogging...?
I used to have a samyang 14/2.8 for Canon full frame. That lens was not sharp at F2.8, needed to stop down to F4. Is this lens sharp at F2.0? I need the F2.0 for urbex and astrophotography but after reading many reviews I am still not convinced if this lens is sharp wide open. Please help me out here.
I'm looking for a wide angle - would you recommend this or the Sigma 16mm F1.4? Struggling between a few wider mm and Sigma quality and F1.4.... A video comparison would be amazing!
Gelded, Non-reversible lens hood, electronic focus instead of mechanical... 3 giant reasons for me to stick with the old version. I like that it has weather sealing somewhat, but that's about the only thing I would consider an upgrade. Focusing an ultrawide lens is not difficult and I actually haven't met a slow focusing ultrawide lens yet.
I have the Sony 10-18 f4. I always use it at widest, otherwise I use the 16-55 on a different body. This is interesting for the great af mad wide aperture for interior/real estate photos handheld. Since the Tamron overlaps a lot with the 16-55 this could be a great ultra wide solution. I keep the ultra wide on an old Sony a6000 for dedicated use. I may sell the 10-18 and get this instead.
Hi Arthur, i am planning on getting a 6600 and plan on getting a sony 18-135 + either the sigma 16mm or samyang 12mm; i want to use the wide angle lens for portraits too; would you recommend the sigma or samyang in this case to complement the sony 18-135? love your videos! thanks~
Liked & subbed! Thanks for the great content! Can you do a samyang 12mm F2.0 vs Sigma 16mm F 1.4 video? I'm interested for low light in night club pics/vids wondering if the F1.4 vs the F 2.0 will make a bit difference..
I have been a fan of your channel since you started. I didnt realize that you live in Austin until I saw the Mueller area lol we should get together and shoot some good pics. Cheers bro
I wonder if this is good for videos. I recently bought the sigma 16mm 1.4 lens for my Sony A5100 but my crane M2 gimbal is not powerful enough to handle the sigma lens. Debating if I should get this or get a more powerful gimbal like weebill S.
OK look at your other comparison. and now I am here. My million dollar question, this lens has stabilization and autofocus right? I'm new to this digital world and I don't know much about dynamic range apertures and stuff, but I'm looking for a not so expensive wide angle blogging lens for those occasions. In low light do you think this can help me??????
I got this on sale for $199... wondering if I should keep it. Main reason I got was for landscape photography but I'm also wondering if a more versatile lens makes more sense. Maybe Sony 18-105 or something similar to that...?
astro photo shots and landscapes , I havent found a reason to change from the manual version samyang 12mm yet... I almost considered the sigma 16mm ... i have - 12mm samyang - 30mm sigma 1.4 - sony 50mm ...considering something else for portrait
@@kellmarktv There is really a dearth of wide angle EF-M lenses that are fast. Basically we have one - the Sigma. The kit lenses will go to 15 and 18 but they're really slow. Even Viltrox has avoided the wide angle market on EF-M and largely mirrored what Sigma already made.
Thanx Arthur 4 the content, whatabout the sony 11mm f1.8? does this has an optical stabilizator that the Sony doesn't have? which please of the other that you have suggested has an OIS? Please :) Thanx, Max I use a nikon 10.5 manuam on my a6600 but I don't have the autofocus are there some improved converters nikon 10.5-sony e a6600 that are finally able to connect correctly the autofocus from nikon to sony? thanx
The deciding factor for me was the weight and size. I have a mirrorless because I don't want to carry that much and the sigma 16mm f/1.4 would be my largest lens which I can't justify given that my use for wide lens is only occasional. So far I was using the set zoom for wide and I didn't use it for anything else. Also note that the pricing in Europe is quite excellent. I paid only about $50 more than I would pay for the manual version.
This is the same with me. I don't get it when peoples suggest me a bigger and heavy lens for my APS-C body camera. The reason I got that camera is for weight and size.
@@AcaiiJawe I can justify a bigger lens if it were to be my main lens, but ironically those lens in the 30-50mm sweet spot are the smallest lenst around, so this paradox of the less useful lens being less amiable to carry is intrinsic.
Wish we could get FE lenses with the design of this one. I think it looks a lot better than the current FE lineup from Samyang. Ah well, I guess it's what's on the inside that counts.
Too bad it doesn't retain the Aperture ring like on the old manual focus lens. Was going to get this for my gf to replace her old one because she's not good with manual Focus, but the Sigma and Tamron you mentioned would be a better fit for her (especially since she already has the old one and I can help her use it ;) )
Both sigma and tamron are much bigger, making it bulky front heavy on small apsc cameras. I sold my Sigma 16mm after getting this Samyang. Samyang is perfect for vlogging/talking head RUclips videos.
@@GigiHan I have the Sigma 18-35 1.8 for my small M50 and it's fine for me (I work out, lol). The Sigma 16 is much smaller so it will be fine. the 12 mm Samy is a totally different field of view so it would complement, not compete, with the 16 mm Sigma. Since I have the 18-35 and an adapter for it to fit my gf's A6400, I sometimes wonder if she even needs the 16. If anything so that she could have her own lens, much lighter and a little better in low light. More I think about it, it makes no sense to get the 12 AF if I have the Manual F version. If anything, wait till after getting the 16 and then maybe latter get the AF if I sell the MF.
Arthur R the best Sony ASP-C reviewer period !
No proper autofocus test for a autofocus lens. What a joke of a video
APS-C
Agree
Christopher Frost. Arthur is a solid 2nd
Finally a Fast Autofocusing Affordable Ultrawide Lens!
For apsc.
Well done, Arthur. This is fantastic .unbiased. review. Stopping down your aperture helps minimize Chromic aberration. Shooting wide open creates purple fringing. I generally use f7.1 to f11 instead of using F/2.8 to f5.6 to see aberration is still there in my viewfinder. It seems like a good ultra-wide angle lens and I might give it a try.
Thanks you for all your previews. I am looking forward to your full review of rokinon 12mm AF lens!
I have the original, manual lens, have been using it for months now and it's awesome!! I manually focus most of the time anyway, and I find it to have some real character, and it's been extremely sharp for me, but I shoot 99% video as I'm a filmmaker. Can't speak on still photography, but for video, the manual lens is all kinds of dope, and I'm sure this one is as well, just with autofocus. Cool review, as always, looking forward to more, always.
Wow since i jumped to fuji system, I forgot to visit your channel. Your son has grown so much. Congrats:))
Thank you! I always wait for your reviews.
Arthur, I really like your videos. They are very useful and interesting. And thanks to your diction, I understand every word and learn English 😁Thank you!
Very awesome review, it’s probably the best vlogging lens for aps-c. Very lightweight and wide enough for digital stabilize crop.
That shot with her holding boba was a winner!!! LOL!!! I’m surprise about the flare control. Great review, and keep it up!
Excellent, thanks. I've been waiting for this review. And I've been waiting for an UWA APS AF lens. I do plan to purchase this.
I was so surprised to see a shot of my town, Eugene, Oregon, in this video! And thanks for the helpful review.
I think it is a suitable lens for taking pictures of the Milky Way with a aps c body. The bundled lens and the Sigma 16mm lens were 24mm when converted to a full frame angle of view, so it was a bit disappointing to capture the Milky Way.
(There may be some grammatical errors using a translator. Please read it with that in mind)
Great review video, great lens.
Thanks, great balanced review.
Thanks loved it the detailed review..
Great review! Thanks!
Thanks for the review. I'll be sticking to the original 12mm Samyang, as 1) I run Fujifilm 2) it has an aperture ring 3) at f8 and above it pretty much has everything in focus anyway. Cheers
Exactly Zone focusing covers almost everything with very few exceptions.
Thank you for this information.
beautiful design
I hope Samyang also adds AF to the legendary 135mm f2. I won't mind a built in adapter for turning it into a mirrorless lens, but please Samyang, don't forget RF, Z and X mount.
Hey Arthur, please review the viltrox ef-e ii adapter with the latest firmware.
Hey Arthur, do you think this or the Sony 10-18mm would be better for filming fast moving subjects outside? I make videos about sprinting and strength training, and need a wide angle for both the vlog style shots as well as for getting more action in-frame as the kit lens is too narrow for me.
oh yes , the kind of lens that could bring me back to photography , videography!!!!
My new blog lens! Thanks Arthur!
nice lens . Thanks Arthur .
thank you for the video. will you choose this lens over the Tamron . budget is not an issue :)
The original Samyang was an astrophotography wonder, I took a lot of nice pictures of meteors and milky way with it.
In my scenarios (landscapes, occasionally underwater) I seldom needed an auto focus, just focusing on the infinity was enough.
But still glad to hear they made a new better and more user friendly version of it.
Hi tumanov, How did you set the new Smayang AF 12mm to infinity focus? i ask this because there is no markings on the lens? Im about to purchase it but i was stuck if to take the AF or the Manual lens. in few days time planning to take some milky way. Thank you in advance for the advise.
@@christianevangelista4562 hi, Christian. In nighttime it's easy: you choose a distant source of light, it may be a star or distant lamp, then use maximum focus magnification on camera and manually focus on it. That's it. You'll need to do it anyway with either lens, because autofocus doesn't work at night and doesn't help focusing on stars.
In daytime you choose a distant object and also manually focus on it using camera focus magnification. I usually set focus magnification on a specific camera button.
I would recommend an autofocus version though, not for astrophotography, but because:
a price difference is not so big,
and version with AF can be used for other purposes. For example, it's really good lens for vlogging.
@@orlangurs thank you for the advise
A7C has a direct competitor, the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8, same size, same price, a bit sharper and way better at CA control. Might be a fun subject for a review since you have an A7C anyway.
I know it's not the best but I truly love this lens lite good looking and awesome price , got it for 259 and the great photographer that you are you really make this lens even more awesome !!!!!!!!
Arthur, I loved your articulation, voice tone and succinct delivery of this review. You speak with a huge trust factor. Thanks. Heya, I just grabbed the Samyang, for my Sony ZV-E10. I notice the wide angle is different when on photo vs video. It crops in on video. Why is that? Have you suggestions on settings to keep the ultra wide in video mode?
I liked my Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2.0 lens and did not mind the manual focus at all. However, as a prime, it was somewhat restrictive. I opted for the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 lens. A bit larger and heavier and certainly more expensive but, the Tamron is a great lens with a neat focal range...
Great choice!
What are the weight dif between the lenses?
Arthur, have you covered any of the Samyang 24mm lenses? Struggling to find a review for APS-C as thorough as your own.
A seal at the mount does not always say its actually sealing. my 24-104 F4 has a rubber seal at the mount but is actually does not touch the cameras mount.
Great review. Thorough. Not sure if there's any better bang for buck at that focal point.
I using Samyang AF 12mm F2 at a6400.
this is very nice wide lens.
I used to almost my contents with Samyang.
Bought this lens, got it today. Excited to use it after they let us out of our Covid imprisonment. So far the tests I've done really look good.,
How about laowa 9mm vs samyang12mm?
Is there a close equivalent lens for a full frame camera? I know it will be a bit more expensive, but I’m looking to stay as cheap as I can
Great video it will be amazing if you write your camera settings in the photo samples !
Arthur how to set minimum shutter speed in aperture priority mode in a6100 ?
Thank you Arthur :)
How is the AF performance for eye/face tracking with the A6400 / A6600?
Wow thats great
Maybe they will make a x mount for fuji as well? Since the manual one is there already. Thoughts arthur?
On your review I.bought Sony A6100, Tamron 17-70 2.8, Tamron 11-20 2.8 and Sigma 56 1.4
I’ll plan on buying this one with theSony ZVE 10
Thanks, I think instead od AF they should improve chromatic aberration issues.
could you maybe compare this to the zeiss 12mm 2.8? that would be awesome!
How far away are you from the camera in these videos?
I'm wondering the distance you need to make this angle with 30mm.
I remember the 16mm Sigma was going to be your choice if you could only have one lens...
The Sigma's disadvantages are the greater weight, size and not being as wide for Astro adventures.
The Samyang is small and light and captures more.
I wonder how much trouble we'd have with chromatic aberrations for a night sky... and vlogging...?
Can you make comparisons between sony 50mm 1.8 vs sigma 16 mm f1.4 please
I used to have a samyang 14/2.8 for Canon full frame. That lens was not sharp at F2.8, needed to stop down to F4. Is this lens sharp at F2.0? I need the F2.0 for urbex and astrophotography but after reading many reviews I am still not convinced if this lens is sharp wide open. Please help me out here.
I'm looking for a wide angle - would you recommend this or the Sigma 16mm F1.4?
Struggling between a few wider mm and Sigma quality and F1.4.... A video comparison would be amazing!
1:32 “around the back it says its Made In Korea, this time with biggger text in case you weren’t sure”💀🤣🙌🏾
Gelded, Non-reversible lens hood, electronic focus instead of mechanical... 3 giant reasons for me to stick with the old version. I like that it has weather sealing somewhat, but that's about the only thing I would consider an upgrade. Focusing an ultrawide lens is not difficult and I actually haven't met a slow focusing ultrawide lens yet.
Would love a comparison between this and the laowa 9mm
Sold my sigma 16 and 30, bought the tamron 17-70 and kept my 56mm too. this will complete a solid range from wide to portrait. love your videos!😁
should have bought the Sigma 18-55 (much bette optics)
That is mind blowing!! Leaving sigma 16mm 1.4 behind
Therevis not a better lens than the sigma. I love it so much i use it on the full frame.
I have the Sony 10-18 f4. I always use it at widest, otherwise I use the 16-55 on a different body. This is interesting for the great af mad wide aperture for interior/real estate photos handheld. Since the Tamron overlaps a lot with the 16-55 this could be a great ultra wide solution. I keep the ultra wide on an old Sony a6000 for dedicated use. I may sell the 10-18 and get this instead.
Hey there... Did you sell the 10-18mm f4 to get this sammy 12mm? Is it good better. Any regret? Thxs
Arthur R
hi man very good vidéo I would like to know the 12 mm for aps-c is it a real 12 mm on aps-c ? or more a 18 mm ?? thanks Arthur R
Hi Arthur, i am planning on getting a 6600 and plan on getting a sony 18-135 + either the sigma 16mm or samyang 12mm; i want to use the wide angle lens for portraits too; would you recommend the sigma or samyang in this case to complement the sony 18-135? love your videos! thanks~
Liked & subbed! Thanks for the great content! Can you do a samyang 12mm F2.0 vs Sigma 16mm F 1.4 video? I'm interested for low light in night club pics/vids wondering if the F1.4 vs the F 2.0 will make a bit difference..
I have been a fan of your channel since you started. I didnt realize that you live in Austin until I saw the Mueller area lol we should get together and shoot some good pics.
Cheers bro
How does this compare to the 16-50 kit lens in terms of photo quality and sharpness?
Can this Lens be used on the canon m6 mark ii ?
I wonder if this is good for videos. I recently bought the sigma 16mm 1.4 lens for my Sony A5100 but my crane M2 gimbal is not powerful enough to handle the sigma lens. Debating if I should get this or get a more powerful gimbal like weebill S.
How about virtual tours? How wide is it compared to the Samyang 8mm 2.8?
Subscribed interested in this lens
OK look at your other comparison. and now I am here. My million dollar question, this lens has stabilization and autofocus right? I'm new to this digital world and I don't know much about dynamic range apertures and stuff, but I'm looking for a not so expensive wide angle blogging lens for those occasions. In low light do you think this can help me??????
How does it compare to the full frame 18 f/2.8?
Is there a Canon efm version of this too?
I got this on sale for $199... wondering if I should keep it. Main reason I got was for landscape photography but I'm also wondering if a more versatile lens makes more sense. Maybe Sony 18-105 or something similar to that...?
Nice!
astro photo shots and landscapes , I havent found a reason to change from the manual version samyang 12mm yet... I almost considered the sigma 16mm ... i have - 12mm samyang - 30mm sigma 1.4 - sony 50mm ...considering something else for portrait
I'd love for them to make an EF-M version. The only Samyang/Rokinon lenses for EF-M are manual focus I think.
I'm here saying the same thing 🙏🏾
@@kellmarktv There is really a dearth of wide angle EF-M lenses that are fast. Basically we have one - the Sigma. The kit lenses will go to 15 and 18 but they're really slow. Even Viltrox has avoided the wide angle market on EF-M and largely mirrored what Sigma already made.
Anyone try this lens with their A6xxx on a Zhiyun M2 gimbal? How did that work out?
Looks good
Comparison with the Samyang 12mm AF and the Tamron 11-20mm please !
I bought it and I've listed my sigma 16mm... I enjoy much more this focal length for my use
Please cover video more with your lense reviews. Thanks
Thanx Arthur 4 the content, whatabout the sony 11mm f1.8? does this has an optical stabilizator that the Sony doesn't have? which please of the other that you have suggested has an OIS? Please :) Thanx, Max I use a nikon 10.5 manuam on my a6600 but I don't have the autofocus are there some improved converters nikon 10.5-sony e a6600 that are finally able to connect correctly the autofocus from nikon to sony? thanx
With my a6300 the autofocus not working. Maybe an update helps?
Is this available for the Canon M50?
does it has MF/AF setting in it? a switch?
Sorry if stupid question - but can this NOT be used at 12mm on a full-frame Sony A7iii?
Probably the new go-to choice for ZV-E10 owners
How’s this lens for interior real estate photos?
how do u choose between this one with sony's new 11mmf1.8 lens?
The deciding factor for me was the weight and size. I have a mirrorless because I don't want to carry that much and the sigma 16mm f/1.4 would be my largest lens which I can't justify given that my use for wide lens is only occasional. So far I was using the set zoom for wide and I didn't use it for anything else. Also note that the pricing in Europe is quite excellent. I paid only about $50 more than I would pay for the manual version.
This is the same with me. I don't get it when peoples suggest me a bigger and heavy lens for my APS-C body camera. The reason I got that camera is for weight and size.
@@AcaiiJawe I can justify a bigger lens if it were to be my main lens, but ironically those lens in the 30-50mm sweet spot are the smallest lenst around, so this paradox of the less useful lens being less amiable to carry is intrinsic.
Basically the APS-C version of the Samyang 18mm FE.
More like 20mm, but yes
Curious how this one stands up to the Sony 10-18mm f4.0
Did they make an M version? Great vid!
Would it be compatible with samsung NX500?
Ever try zeiss touit series?
What it would be on FF camera ? About 20 mm ?
Is there an x-mount version?
Wish we could get FE lenses with the design of this one. I think it looks a lot better than the current FE lineup from Samyang. Ah well, I guess it's what's on the inside that counts.
Too bad it doesn't retain the Aperture ring like on the old manual focus lens. Was going to get this for my gf to replace her old one because she's not good with manual Focus, but the Sigma and Tamron you mentioned would be a better fit for her (especially since she already has the old one and I can help her use it ;) )
Both sigma and tamron are much bigger, making it bulky front heavy on small apsc cameras. I sold my Sigma 16mm after getting this Samyang. Samyang is perfect for vlogging/talking head RUclips videos.
@@GigiHan I have the Sigma 18-35 1.8 for my small M50 and it's fine for me (I work out, lol). The Sigma 16 is much smaller so it will be fine. the 12 mm Samy is a totally different field of view so it would complement, not compete, with the 16 mm Sigma. Since I have the 18-35 and an adapter for it to fit my gf's A6400, I sometimes wonder if she even needs the 16. If anything so that she could have her own lens, much lighter and a little better in low light. More I think about it, it makes no sense to get the 12 AF if I have the Manual F version. If anything, wait till after getting the 16 and then maybe latter get the AF if I sell the MF.
@@3VAudioVideo cool.
Can you put an nd filter on?