Samyang continues to surprise us regarding the quality of their recently released products. The full format Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC is capable of delivering a very high quality straight from f/1.4 - at least within the tested APS-C scope. The contrast level is a bit reduced at max.

A fully-manual prime lens with a fast aperture at a bargain price

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

If Samyang's name is unfamiliar then now is a good time to find out more about the brand, which has been in the market since 1972 serving the industrial television sector. The company also makes high-spec lenses, optical accessories and a zoom-telescope.

Bright aperture; build quality

Weak performance at wide aperture

The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC is the company's most expensive lens to date, but at a street price of around ￡320 it is only about 25% of the price of a comparable optic from the likes of Canon, Nikon and Sony. This means that the Samyang model is around ￡1,000 cheaper than its rivals.

Available in a range of mounts, and both Four Thirds and Samsung NX versions, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC is an attractive lens for CSC users wanting a fast prime. Samyang's 35mm f/1.4 AS USM features a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture that's two-thirds of a stop faster than an f/1.8.

Compatible with both full-frame and APS-C D-SLRs, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS USC offers a 52.5mm film equivalent when coupled to a camera with a 1.5x crop factor and features a super-wide f/1.4 maximum aperture.

Is the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens right for you? Learn all you need to know about the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens in The-Digital-Picture.com's review!

If you do video and need a 35mm lens, get this and look no further. I wasted a lot of time, I had the 35mm version of the Nikkor and Canon and both sucked for video, specialy the Canon one. It had the shortest focusing ring ever.

Handling and features This lens is available to fit many different types of cameras, including Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Four Thirds SLRs as well as Samsung NX mirrorless cameras.

Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification This lens is available to fit many different types of cameras, including Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Four Thirds SLRs as well as Samsung NX mirrorless cameras.

Very inexpensive; Excellent sharpness; even at f/1.4; Even better sharpness when stopped down a little; Low CA and distortion; Good build

Contrast suffers when shooting into the light