Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC 35mm
Its manual focus design paired with an AE chip for auto exposure and focus confirmation on full-frame Nikon F bodies sets it apart as a versatile 35mm f/1.4 prime. The hybrid aspherical and two high-refractive elements, combined with UMC coating, ensure sharp, high-contrast images even wide open. This lens is best for portrait photographers and deliberate street shooters who value precise manual control and a bright f/1.4 aperture over autofocus speed.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong bokeh (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong macro (71st percentile) 71st
Cons
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 300 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC 35mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 689 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | - | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | - | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC 35mm | 54.6 | 92.7 | 39.3 | 70.6 | 50.3 | 96.9 | 63.3 | 33.6 | 2.7 | 38 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.6 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 90.8 | 68.1 | 64.6 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 38 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.3 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 69.1 | 68.8 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.1 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 63.5 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.4 | 85 | 22.6 | 98.1 | 77.2 | 87.9 | 98.5 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
