Verdict: Korean optics company Samyang is known for fully manual lenses and superb optical quality, and this ultra-wide 14mm has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 which lets you capture stunning scenes in low light. The build quality is excellent but as it’s fully manual, you won’t be able to shoot in auto modes
Build quality is excellent, using sturdy metal and plastic, and the focus ring is very smooth. The aperture ring works well too, though hasn’t been de-clicked like others here so makes a noise turning.
In the centre images are relatively sharp at f/2.8, though the corners are soft. However, the whole frame becomes sharp by f/5.6, where image quality is very impressive, especially at this price. Being such a wide focal length, there is some distortion, which is easy to fix in post-processing, though there is barely any noticeable chromatic aberration.
This lens is fully manual so doesn’t communicate with the camera, meaning you won’t be able to shoot in auto modes, but the wide focal length and great image quality make it a strong contender for anyone looking for a unique perspective.
Pros
Price
Solid build
Image quality
Cons
Manual focus
No TTL function
Distortion due to ultra wide-angle
Want to see more lenses? We've rounded up 10 of the best wide-aperture lenses for under £1000.
Spec
Max aperture: f/2.8
Min aperture: f/22
Elements/groups: 14/10
Min focus distance: 20cm
DxL: 87x96mm
Weight: 505g
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Kirk Schwarz is a tech-addicted photographer with over a decade's experience; Kirk’s used to putting new gear through extreme field testing. He's previously written for Practical Photography.