Samyang 50mm f/1.4 Lens Review

With the release of the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II in November 2021, I was excited about the idea of a fast prime with a low price tag.

The 50mm lens is a classic focal length, but a super fast f/1.4 version is often very expensive. Not the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II.

For roughly US$400, you can get a lot of the performance of a more expensive lens without spending the $1-2k that is usually required to get a name-brand lens of similar design.

The Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II is an excellent option for budget-conscious photographers who want the performance of high-end glass.

Read on the find out why this lens offers a great alternative to other more expensive options. I’ve used it on a wide range of subjects, and I think you should check it out.

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II Specs

 

• Focal Length: 50mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
• Minimum Aperture: f/16
• Lens Mount: Sony E
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• Angle of View: 45.7°
• Minimum Focus Distance: 15.7″ / 40 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.16x
• Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 72 mm (Front)
• Dimensions (ø x L): 3.2 x 3.5″ / 80.1 x 88.9 mm
• Weight: 14.8 oz / 420 g

Build & Ergonomics

The Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II lens feels well-built. It has a plastic body but feels nearly as rugged as some of my other metal-bodied lenses.

The design is simple but customizable. It has a focus hold button as well as a m1/m2 switch that can be customized with the Samyang lens station, which has to be purchased separately for around $50.

With the lens station, you can reprogram the lens functions, such as making the focus ring function like an aperture ring.

As with the other lenses I’ve reviewed in the Samyang lineup, the focus ring is nicely rubberized, and the lens feels well-balanced on my camera.

The version II of this lens, released in 2021, is not only better in optical performance but also feels much nicer.

At only 420g, this lens is very lightweight for an f/1.4 lens.

The included lens hood feels firm and provides nice light protection for the front element.

Lastly, Samyang includes a soft pouch, which is handy when packing up your gear.

Compared to another expensive Planar lens, I was quite impressed with the build quality and durability of this lens given its budget price.

Focus Performance

The autofocus on this lens is solid. It worked for me in a variety of scenarios, from low light to backlit scenes.

However, it isn’t as fast as what you would get with more expensive lenses. If focus speed is your top priority, this may not be the lens for you. 

Because I use my 50mm primarily as a portrait lens or for stationary subjects, I don’t need lightning-fast autofocus. I prioritize the optical construction and image quality much more.

To give you an idea of speed, the Sony G-master 50mm f/1.2 has 4 AF motors while the Samyang has only 1. Despite these seemingly significant drawbacks, this lens still offers solid autofocus.

I was able to use the eye AF to lock on and track subjects. Focus accuracy was also good, and it will be a great lens for many people in most scenarios.

If autofocus is a top priority for you, it may be worth the extra money to get a higher-end lens.

While some native lenses from Sony FE form in-camera adjustments to eliminate focus breathing, you will not get those in-camera corrections on the Samyang.

Overall, I was impressed with the autofocus on this lens. It offers excellent performance in most scenarios.

Image Quality

Optical construction and performance have come a long way with Samyang lens design. The Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 is no exception.

With the updated version of this lens, sharpness is quite good. The center sharpness of this lens is excellent and it only lags behind the sony at the edges of the frame.

This is what I expected and I was very pleased with the images overall. It’s similar to the old Sony Zeiss Planar and is a good lens optically, especially for the price.

In regards to some of the other characteristics, this lens does pretty well. Chromatic aberration was well controlled with minimal color fringing.

The one area that may or may not concern you is vignetting. If you shoot in RAW and apply profile corrections with editing software like Lightroom, you won’t have any issues.

However, shooting videos and JPGs will show vignetting. I did find it to be a smooth transition of darkening as you approach the edges of the frame.

Because I mostly shoot RAW stills with this lens, vignetting isn’t a concern for me. The light transmission at higher apertures is also much more even.

Chromatic aberrations, including axial chromatic aberration, were well controlled. This new and updated lens is much better in terms of optical construction than its predecessor.

Overall, I was very impressed with the image quality of this lens.

It’s quite sharp, has minimal flare issues when shooting backlight, and has great color/contrast.

Most people can’t justify a ~$2000 50mm portrait lens. At $400, this lens can produce some very nice images.

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II Sample Images

Here are some sample images taken with the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II using a Sony a7R V.

How I Tested the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II

Given the improved optical construction and image quality I was expecting, I wanted to give this lens a solid test on the full-frame Sony a7R V.

At 60MP, this camera can help identify any issues with potential flaws. Even under careful scrutiny, I thought the images were quite good.

Having used the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM lens, I know what the highest quality lenses can do, but the Samyang is still a strong contender.

I used this lens for a variety of shoots, from commercial portraits to personal work. As a wide aperture mid-range prime, this lens is very versatile.

If you mostly use zoom lenses, adding a lens like the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 can be a great way to experiment with bokeh.

Alternatives

The 50mm focal length is very popular, and there are a ton of different options.

The closest comparable lens, in my opinion, is the Sony 55mm f/1.8. This lens offers good image quality at a good price. The tradeoff is a slightly slower maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/1.4 on the Samyang).

However, the Sony 55mm f/1.8 is much smaller and lighter in weight.

Some people may be interested in the Sony 50mm f/1.8, but this inexpensive (~$200) lens isn’t known for quality. I’d avoid it.

Other alternatives from Sony, like the 50mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.2, are very expensive and heavy. Despite those drawbacks, they both offer excellent image quality.

Sigma, Zeiss, and numerous other brands have offerings at various price points but in my opinion, you’re either going to go for the high quality or the budget option.

The Samyang is a great option if you want all the features at a budget price.

One other tip is to make sure you get a lens that will work with your camera. There are a lot of APS-C lenses that won’t work if you have a full-frame camera, so be sure to shop appropriately.

Value for Money

At less than US$400, the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 is great value. It offers solid image quality at a bargain price.

Other options at a similar price are only available at f/1.8 to f/2.5, which won’t be as nice for low light or bokeh.

If you want a good lens at a great price, the Samyang is for you. If image quality is of utmost importance, it may be worth spending a little more money and getting the Sony 50mm f/1.4.

I love that Samyang is offering great specs at budget prices. Sure, there are some sacrifices made, but I would argue that most people won’t notice the differences.

If you’re just starting out or want to save some money, I recommend checking out this lens.

FAQ’s

What is the difference between the Samyang and Canon or Sony 50mm Lenses?

While Samyang is a third-party lens manufacturer, they make lenses for a variety of camera brands. Samyang lenses are cheaper and give solid image quality/performance.

Is Samyang a good lens brand?

Yes. It offers a nice blend of quality and price. Their lenses are very affordable for the features and image quality offered.

Are Rokinon and Samyang the same brand?

Yes. Samyang and Rokinon have identical products with different labels. Sometimes you can find one brand on sale for a lower price.

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 II Review | Conclusion

Overall, I was quite impressed with the Samyang 5omm f/1.4 lens. It’s a good quality lens at a great price.

For photographers looking to add some prime lenses to their kit, Samyang can save you a significant amount of money over the more expensive Sony G-Master lenses.

If I were shopping for a kit of lenses today, I’d be looking at Samyang. Because I already own the Sony 55mm f/1.8 and I love how compact it is, I don’t think I’ll be keeping the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 in my bag.

However, if you’re looking for a solid 50mm prime at a good price, this lens should be high on your list.

Thanks for reading my review and if you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment down below.