Last year availability of wide-angle lenses, particularly from specialist lens manufacturers, expanded, and Samyang has got 2018 off to a flyer by announcing a new model, the AF 14mm f/2.8 EF. Not only that, it’s an addition to Samyang’s growing autofocus range, (and the first for Canon full frame bodies) putting Samyang in a position to better compete in the mainstream with the likes of Sigma and Tamron.
Lenses are liable to be a lively category in 2018!
According to Samyang, the AF 14mm f/2.8 EF ‘inherits the renowned image quality of Samyang’s wide-angle series and delivers a quiet, fast and accurate autofocus system.’
Samyang’s fast, wide-angle lenses have been big sellers among low-light landscapers and astrophotographers, with lenses like the 24mm f1.4 performing well in terms of sagittal coma (the distortion of points of light like stars, especially near the edges of the frame).
The AF 14mm f2.8 EF has 15 elements in 10 groups, including seven special optics to maximise image quality.
These special elements include two aspherical lenses, four high-refractive lenses and one extra-low dispersion lens, all of which should contribute to minimising distortion and aberrations, such as the aforementioned coma, and produce excellent sharpness. Samyang also claims ‘even image quality from centre to corner’.
In terms of the AF, Samyang says the lens has ‘quiet autofocusing with high accuracy’, and there’s an MF/AF switch on the body, and a large manual focus ring.
At just 485g (without lens caps and hood), the AF 14mm f/2.8 EF is also light, so it will appeal to travel photographers, and it includes weather sealing for shooting in inclement conditions, high humidity or dusty locations.
The AF 14mm f/2.8 EF will be available worldwide from February. Local RRP, according to Australian distributor Maxxum, will be a world-competitive $1099, with stock from next week.
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