Samyang's first EF-mount lens with its own autofocus motor arrives for full-frame and APS-C users
South Korean optical specialist Samyang has announced its first autofocus-enabled lens for Canon DSLR users.
The Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 EF is compatible with both APS-C and full-frame bodies in Canon's EOS DSLR stable, which stretch from the beginner-focused EOS 1300D at one end through to the flagship EOS-1D X Mark II at the other.
It marks a change in direction for the company, which has traditionally focused on providing DSLR and mirrorless users with a range of affordable, manual-focus lenses, in addition to its video-centric optics.
The new optic provides a 14mm focal length for full-frame users, and one that's closer to an effective 22.4mm when used in conjunction with a APS-C body such as the EOS 80D or EOS 200D. The barrel has also been sealed against inclement weather, which should be of particular interest to those whose bodies offer a similar level of protection.
Its AF motor promises to be quiet, fast and accurate, which, the company claims, is partly down to a "minimised" lens group. Its internal configuration, meanwhile, sees 15 elements spread over 10 groups, and 7 of these are said to boast special optical properties such as aspherical surfaces.
The lens weighs 485g without its lens caps or hood, and is set to be available from February. A suggested retail price of £649 has been set for the UK, although pricing for other territories has not been disclosed as of yet.
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The former editor of Digital Camera World, "Matt G" has spent the bulk of his career working in or reporting on the photographic industry. For two and a half years he worked in the trade side of the business with Jessops and Wex, serving as content marketing manager for the latter.
Switching streams he also spent five years as a journalist, where he served as technical writer and technical editor for What Digital Camera before joining DCW, taking on assignments as a freelance writer and photographer in his own right. He currently works for SmartFrame, a specialist in image-streaming technology and protection.
