Rokinon AF 50mm f/1.4 FE Lens Review (by LensTip)

LensTip published their full in-depth review for the new Samyang/Rokinon AF 50mm f/1.4 FE lens. This Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE Lens was announced in May 2016 along with FE 14mm f/2.8 autofocus lens for Sony full frame mirrorless cameras. And these two autofocus lenses from Samyang Optics are sold under the “Rokinon” brand in USA.

From LensTip:

In the case of the FE system it would be difficult to speak about a wide choice of cheap lenses. Not so long ago the Samyang AF 50 mm f/1.4 FE was the cheapest standard with autofocus available and that fact held promise of a significant sale volume. After the launch of the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.8 the situation doesn’t look so rosy anymore; it seems without a distinct lowering of the price the Samyang won’t enjoy a huge market share. Read the full review…

Pros:

  • good image quality in the frame centre,
  • acceptable image quality on the edge of APS-C and full frame,
  • lack of any problems concerning lateral chromatic aberration,
  • negligible distortion,
  • low vignetting on smaller APS-C sensor.

Cons:

  • soft image at the maximum relative aperture,
  • too high longitudinal chromatic aberration,
  • huge coma, visible even on stopping down the aperture by 2 EV,
  • some problems with spherical aberration,
  • unsatisfactory performance against bright light,
  • distinct vignetting on full frame.

Below are links to all current 50mm FE lenses:

Rokinon AF 50mm f/1.4 FE Lens: $699 at AmazonB&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens: $248 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens: $998 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens: $1,498 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens: $498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* Lens: $949 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Rokinon FE 50mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Lens: $399 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Mitakon FE 50mm f/0.95 Lens: $849 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Reminder: We are getting ready for the Black Friday camera deals and Cyber Monday camera deals this November: Black Friday Camera Deals 2016, Cyber Monday Camera Deals 2016.