Samyang has announced the second-generation version of its 50mm f/1.4 for Sony E-mount. The company says that after five years of development, it believes that it has created “a new standard for standard lenses.”
The Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II, as it is officially called, makes updates to the original model that the company launched five years ago. Samyang says this new model is the lightest standard lens with a large aperture that is compatible with Sony E-mount and features what it describes as more precise and faster autofocus performance.
Weighing 420 grams (14.8 ounces) and is just 3.5-inches long, making it the smallest and lightest f/1.4 aperture 50mm lens for E-mount. It is constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, six of which are special lenses: two ultra-precision aspherical elements, three HR lenses, and one extra-low dispersion element. Samyang says that combined with a Sony full-frame sensor, it can deliver superior sharpness and contrast across an image.
The aperture features a range from f/1.4 through f/16 and uses a nine-bladed diaphragm that Samyang touts as able to provide smooth background blur that effectively separates the subject from the background.
Samyang says that the autofocus performance, which is accurate and fast as well as quiet, is achieved using Samyang’s linear stepping motor (STM) that the company says allows for performance that will satisfy both photographers and filmmakers. Speaking of video, the optical design was made to minimize focus breathing. The company claims that there is almost no change in the angle of view when focus is adjusted between close and infinity. On that note, the minimum focusing distance is 0.40 meters (1.31 feet).
Samyang has also added a focus hold button that can be assigned functions through the camera menu and a custom switch that allows for photographers to set it to allow adjustment of the aperture silently by rotating the focus ring. Using the optional Lens Station, users can set up the mode to suit their own preferences. The company says more functions will be added through firmware updates in the future as well.
Finally, the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II features weather sealing across multiple points on the lens. Below are a set of sample images taken with the lenss, provided by Samyang.
The Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II is available for $750.
Author: Jaron Schneider
Source: Petapixel
