Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 F Lens Review - Performance

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 F Performance

Central sharpness is excellent from f/2.8 right through to f/16, in fact moving up to the category of outstanding at f/8. It is still very good at f/22, which is an impressive performance.

The edges are good at f/2.8 and f/4, improving to very good at f/5.6 and to excellent at f/8 and f/11. The standard is still very good at f/16 and f/22.

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 MTF Charts

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very tightly controlled throughout the range of apertures, both centre and edge. It will not be a problem, even under the most demanding conditions.

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 Chromatic Aberration Charts

There is -3.09% barrel distortion present, but this is to be expected in an ultra-wide lens. If necessary, further correction can be made in-camera or in software, but for many subjects, this will not be an issue.

An ultra-wide lens will at best only have limited flare protection from the built-in lens hood, but the coatings are excellent and the lens is actually pretty much flare free, even against very bright sunlight. The hood does, however, offer some useful physical protection for the vulnerable front element.

Bokeh is not really a major expectation for an ultra-wide lens and sometimes the out of focus effects, especially in the corners, can be slightly harsh, but in normal circumstances the overall look is good. Considering the angle of view, this is very satisfactory.

Looking at vignetting, at open aperture the corners are some -1.7 stops darker than the centre, reducing to -1.5 stops at f/5.6, -1.4 stops at f/8 and -1.2 stops from f/11 onwards. This slight darkening of the corners can actually enhance many images and is fairly modest for such a wide lens.

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 Sample Photos

Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 Aperture range