Samyang 21mm f/1.4 UMC CS X Review

Samyang 21mm f/1.4 UMC CS Performance

The lens is a pleasure to use and delivers a very acceptable performance, maybe not a high flyer when wide-open, but certainly one whose characteristics can be used to make very pleasing images.

The centre of the field is favoured, starting off at good levels and peaking at f/4 - f/5.6 where performance approaches excellent. The edges lag behind, reaching very good levels at around f/5.6 - f/8. The result is a bright, contrasty image that gives an impression of crispness. The fine resolution may not always be there, but the images look good.

MTF 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. 

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. Simple.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-A1 using Imatest.

CA (chromatic aberration) is apparent, especially at the edges, but by f/4 has dropped to tolerable levels. As wide angle lenses generally are used stopped down this may not be a problem, and in any event this can be corrected in software.

CA 

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimise the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-A1 using Imatest.

There is no communication between lens and camera, so EXIF info will be limited to the camera. This does not directly affect performance as such, but does indirectly as there will be no auto corrections for distortion or CA.

A small amount of barrel distortion comes as no surprise, being around -2.6%, but it is well within reasonable parameters for a wide angle lens.

Value For Money

Priced at £279, the Samyang 21mm f/1.4 UMC CS lens offers very good value for money, as a bright lens for mirrorless cameras. There are a number of alternatives but few offer as bright an aperture.

Alternatives include the Canon EF-F 22mm f/2.0 pancake lens for Canon EOS M mount cameras. Micro Four Thirds users could look at the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens. There is also the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 DN lens available for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount, although it is not as bright. Another option for Sony E-mount cameras is the Sony E 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens.

For more options have a look at to Top 10 Best Samyang Lenses of 2015.

Add your message