Samyang launched an AF 24mm F2.8 FE autofocus lens for Sony full frame mirrorless cameras in 2018. Almost referred to as a pancake lens, it is only 37mm in length and weighs only 120g. Three years later, the new Samyang AF 24mm F1.8 FE lens is 1.33 f / stops faster and about twice the physical length and weight, but it’s still quite small at 65x72mm and 230g. The faster aperture makes it a candidate for one of the best lenses for astrophotography and for shooting indoors, where the equally wide viewing angle of 83.7 degrees gives you a better view. put in the picture frame, when facing cramped interiors. As usual, this Samyang lens is also available under the Rokinon brand, like the Rokinon 24mm F2.8 AF Sony E.
Characteristics
Ascend: Sony E (FE)
Also known as: Rokinon 24mm F2.8 AF Sony E
Full frame: Yes
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Lens construction: 11 elements in 8 groups
Viewing angle: 83.7 degrees
Diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum opening: f / 22
Minimum focus distance: 0.19 m
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.21x
Filter size: 58 mm
Dimensions: 65x70mm
Weight: 230g
Main characteristics
There are several 24mm f / 2.8 lenses on the market for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras (which also work well on APS-C crop sensor bodies), as well as a few f / 1.4 options. The f / 1.8 aperture rating is more unusual, but a good compromise between speed and physical size.
The optical path consists of 11 elements in 8 groups, including two aspherical elements, three high refractive index elements and two ultra low dispersion elements. Suffice it to say that the small lens contains high quality glass. Autofocus is driven by a linear stepper motor, which is typical of the breed being fast and virtually silent in operation, while also allowing for smooth autofocus transitions when shooting movies. .
Smart features include an autofocus hold button and dual mode switch, the functions of which can be customized through the host camera’s menu system. Considering the lens’s suitability for astrophotography, a neat inclusion is a two-color LED. You can configure the autofocus hold button and mode switch so that the LED lights up red, turning green when the infinity focus distance is reached, eliminating the guesswork of shooting in the dark.
Construction and handling
Although lightweight, the Samyang feels solidly constructed and incorporates gaskets. The focus ring operates with smooth precision, and handling is enhanced by customizable options, like the ability to use the focus ring to control aperture in autofocus mode. The lens has a 58mm filter mounting thread and comes with an equally high quality petal lens hood.
Performance
The autofocus system works with consistent reliability, while the short 0.19m minimum focus distance lets you get closer to subjects and focus on perspective, making the most of it from the wide angle of view. Sharpness is superb in the central region of the frame, even when shooting wide open, and edge sharpness is excellent in the aperture range between f / 4 and f / 11.
Color fringing and barrel distortion is very minimal, even when left uncorrected, and is essentially eliminated when activating the in-camera corrections available in Sony housings. There is a bit of vignetting at f / 1.8 but that’s not necessarily a problem and can be seen as a good thing, drawing attention to the central region of the frame. In any case, automatic corrections in the camera are also available for this. The lens is also effective in minimizing ghosting and glare.
Sample images
Laboratory tests
Acuity:
The sharpness scores in the graph below are produced by taking a monochrome test graph covered in several sharp bounds between black and white. This image is then evaluated by specialized software, with the magnitude of the blur on the contrast boundaries at the center, middle, and edges of the image converted to a spatial frequency value to determine the number of line widths per height. image that the lens is capable of resolving. A higher spatial frequency corresponds to a greater number of thinner lines over a given distance than the lens can resolve – that number is the sharpness score.
Center sharpness is exceptional even when shooting wide open at f / 1.8. The sharpness of the corners is very good, becoming excellent at apertures between f / 4 and f / 11.
Fringes:
Chromatic aberration scores are calculated using the same graph we use to measure sharpness. This time, the processing software evaluates the sharp black-white contrast boundaries and determines the width in pixels of the color fringe that separates black from white – the larger the width of the fringe, the greater the fringe score. – and worse.
Lateral chromatic aberration is very negligible over the entire aperture range, even at the extreme corners of the image frame.
Distortion: -1.67
At the top and bottom of our lens test chart are horizontal black bars across its width. A lens that bulges these lines towards the edges of the frame produces barrel distortion, the degree of which is indicated by a negative score. Shrinkage (cushion) distortion, typically produced by a telephoto lens, produces a positive score. The higher the number – positive or negative – the greater the distortion. A score of zero indicates no distortion.
Barrel distortion is very slight for a wide-angle lens, and like lateral chromatic aberration and vignetting, in-camera corrections are available.
Verdict
Small and light for a 24mm f / 1.8 lens, the Samyang packs a punch, with fast, virtually silent and always precise autofocus, and excellent image quality in every way. . Handling is enhanced by a customizable autofocus hold button and customizable dual-mode switch, while sleek LED lighting makes it easy to focus infinitely as an astrophotography lens. Overall, it’s a great wide angle, day or night.
Read more:
The best Samyang & Rokinon lenses
The best lens for astrophotography
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