Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
Image: The New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
09th November 2016, Singapore – Well, if you had noticed, recently we had been reviewing quite a bit of Samyang’s lenses. Among the recent new releases, came the 20mm F1.8, an Ultra-Wide Angle lens designed for Full Frame cameras. While purists may think that 20mm is not the ultra-wide-widest when put against 14mm and so on, do not forget the standard focal length is 50mm and wide means 24mm, 28mm & 35mm while everything else is ultra-wide. So where does a focal length of 20mm stands? Personally I will call is cross-breed as this lens is capable of many applications from landscape, wide angle portrait, wide angle close-ups or even for wide angle portraits. It really depends a lot on you – the user.
Before we proceed with the review, I would like to (again) share that if you ended up here looking for technical in-depth review, then you are certainly in the wrong place. Over here we are only keen how the lens behaved & performed, the image quality etc. If you are cool with this, read on.
The New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC was really designed for bigger (or wider) things, why? Let’s get to the details. The lens build carries the same solid body like the recent new releases and this compact lens will appeals to those who had been using ultra-wide angle lenses which is ultra big and heavy. This compact 20mm only measures 83mm x 88mm & weights slightly less than 500gm. It is compact by any standard unless you are comparing to mirrorless system lenses. It comes with the company’s signature smooth focusing rings with distance scale markings and feels ready to perform.
Inside the lens, the glass are arranged into 13 elements in 12 groups including 02 aspherical elements. Comes with 07 rounded aperture blades and focuses from F1.8 to F22 and from a front distance of 0.2m, this lens is really designed for many uses. The front of the lens accepts 77mm screw-on filters and the front element comes with the company’s popular and proven UMC Coating to minimize dust and condensation.
We have decided to pass the lens to a guest reviewer Mr. Marcus Low and he is known for his stunning landscape images. Let’s see his images and his views on the new Samyang 20mm F1.8 F1.8 ED AS UMC.
============================
Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC Review
by Marcus JH Low
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
When I was informed by the Editor AL that he will be sending me the new Samyang 20mm F1.8 lens, I was thinking how can I “max” out the lens to reveal its true potential. From the images posted on this article, it is easy to note that I tried on landscape, small tiny close-ups etc and the results are pretty decent.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
Let’s talk about the lens. The built quality has notably improved over the last generation of Samyang lenses. The lens hood fits nicely as compared to my past experience with older Samyang lenses and particularly the focus ring is nice and smooth to use. The focus throw allows me to focus fast and accurately. The body wise is solid and easy to handle.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
On the image quality, flare control is not bad for its humble asking price. It also produces a very pleasing Bokeh which is nice and when shooting small subjects (as exampled). A plus point will be that this lens focus very near to the subject which I think it will be very suited for those who are into creative macro/ close-up for small subjects.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
On the image, the colors rendered is pretty much accurate and I like the center sharpness when I was shooting with apertures wide opened. Although the corners suffers a little softness which is a common phenomenon with such ultra-wide angle lenses, it is very acceptable to me. No problem at all. And of course, this is a full manual-focus lenses and I secretly hope Samyang will eventually release an Auto-focus version of this lens.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
In Conclusion, the new Samyang 20mm F1.8 is not exactly targeting users from the 16-35mm (or 17-40mm) group. Although released as an ultra wide angle lens, this is lens is more of a lens that lets you do what you usually do but with an ultra wide perspective of it. The F1.8 allows many possibilities for night applications or for nice bokehs. Not forgetting the minimum focusing distance actually allows me to do close-ups like miniature toys, food or even product photography!
Try it for yourself!
– Marcus Low.
Image: Shot using the New Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC mated to a Sony a7.
Image: Marcus Low, Guest Reviewer.
============================
Editor’s Note: Thank you Marcus for taking time out to review this lens.
The images are awesome while giving us and the reader a good idea of what we can use this lens for. And thanks for sharing your thoughts & your experience in using this lens!
OK Guys, Buy your Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC here.
=========================
About Ourshutterjourney.com
=========================
Filed under: Accredited Merchants, Brand: Others (Cosina, Carl Zeiss, Leica, Mamiya, Samyang, Vivitar, Zenitar,etc), Featured Photographers, Featured Photography Groups, Featured Photography Merchants, Group Test & Reviews, Photography Articles & Videos, Uncategorized Tagged: 20mm F1.8, Marcus Low, Photography, Photography Reviews, Samyang, Samyang Optics, Samyang Singapore