The Sony E-mount system provides a unique opportunity for third party lens manufacturers to make headway in the market because it is a relatively young and incomplete ecosystem. Sony lenses, while stellar, have not (in many cases) had the opportunity to take up residence within the hearts photographers and have not established the same loyalty as more established brands such as Canon or Nikon. Coupled with the steep price of premium Sony glass, less expensive alternatives, such as Samyang, are often more viable options. Today, they announced a new 35mm 2.8 AFÂ for E-mount that they hope wins them some brand loyalty of their own as they grow within the system.
[REWIND: Lens Filters | Do They Ruin Your Photos, And If Not, Which Ones Are Worth It? Roger Cicala Dives In]
Specs
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Two Aspherical Elements, One HR Element
- Ultra Multi-Coating
- Autofocus with Manual Focus Override
- Seven-Blade Diaphragm
- 49mm Filter Thread
Assuming this offering provides decent optical performance, this looks like a good lens for someone hoping for something affordable and compact. The 35mm focal length is a venerable and smart choice for many reasons. It seems that no matter how many 35mm lenses there are, there is always room for one more. In fact, you might argue that a lens manufacturer can’t not offer a 35mm prime.
Furthermore, the only other native autofocus lenses at 35mm are from Sony and come in at $800 and $1600.  With a $399 price tag, this lens hits a sweet spot in the E-mount ecosystem.
If you’d like to pre-order your Samyang 35mm 2.8 lens you can do so here.
