Extremely-wide angle lenses open up inventive potentialities you simply cannot replicate with the rest. However discovering a lens that is each inexpensive and sharp sufficient for skilled use will be difficult.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this simple video exams the Samyang AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE lens, particularly designed for Sony full body mirrorless cameras. At simply over 200 grams, it is noticeably light-weight, making it splendid should you’re out and about taking pictures landscapes, structure, or interiors. Frost highlights that the lens’ shut focusing distance enables you to seize uncommon close-up views that different wide-angle lenses would possibly miss. Whereas construct high quality is plastic, Frost finds it surprisingly strong, together with weather-sealing and a handy USB-C port for firmware updates. Though the lens feels dependable, Frost notes that you will must deal with its appreciable distortion and vignetting by way of in-camera corrections to keep away from points in your ultimate photos.
By way of picture high quality, Frost places the lens by way of its paces on the demanding 61-megapixel Sony a7CR. Huge open at f/2.8, it is impressively sharp within the heart, although you may see some softness and noticeable colour fringing in the direction of the corners. He finds picture high quality improves considerably by stopping down barely, hitting a candy spot round f/4 and f/5.6. Frost emphasizes this lens isn’t flawless, particularly stating how the colour fringing stays seen even after stopping down. However given its modest value level, it offers efficiency that is higher than anticipated, notably should you’re utilizing cameras within the 30-40 megapixel vary, relatively than ultra-high-resolution fashions.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 16mm
Most Aperture: f/2.8
Minimal Aperture: f/22
Lens Mount: Sony E (Full-Body)
Angle of View: 107°
Minimal Focus Distance: 4.68″ (11.89 cm)
Magnification: 0.33x
Optical Design: 8 Parts in 7 Teams
Autofocus: Sure
Picture Stabilization: No
Filter Measurement: 62 mm (Entrance)
Dimensions: ø: 69.8 x L: 10.5″ (ø: 177.3 x L: 26.7 cm)
Weight: 0.5 lb (207 g)
What makes this lens interesting is the best way it balances value, weight, and total high quality. It is clear from Frost’s testing that whereas there are some compromises in efficiency, its sharpness, autofocus reliability, and portability present substantial worth. This lens will not substitute high-end skilled extensive angles for important work, nevertheless it may turn out to be your go-to for informal taking pictures, journey pictures, and even vlogging, because of its compact dimension and quiet autofocus. Frost additionally demonstrates how the lens handles difficult conditions like shiny lights and solar stars, providing sensible insights into the place the lens thrives and the place it struggles. He highlights that the lens’ bokeh will be pleasantly easy in close-up pictures however considerably distracting in mid-distance backgrounds. Try the video above for the complete rundown from Frost.
