Samyang AF 12mm F2 Review: A Small, Sealed Ultra-Wide Prime for APS-C
Samyang’s manual-focus 12mm f/2 was a cult lens for APS-C astrophotography. The Samyang AF 12mm F2 added autofocus. It arrived for Sony E in April 2021 at $399, followed by Fujifilm X that autumn and a Canon RF-S version announced in December 2024 at $449. In the US it’s also sold under the Rokinon name.
It weighs about 213 grams and frames like an 18mm lens on full frame. With f/2 and weather sealing, it’s an ultra-wide prime for night skies, cities after dark and vlogging.
Night scenes are where a fast ultra-wide earns its place: a canal, the lit windows, the reflections, without lugging a tripod around all evening.
Photo: Media Instances
Dustin Abbott’s definitive review covers it for stills, astro and video.
Video review: Dustin Abbott
Design
The optical formula is 12 elements in 10 groups, with a hybrid aspherical, an aspherical and three ED elements. The aperture has seven rounded blades, and the 62mm filter thread doesn’t rotate. A linear STM motor drives the focus. Close focus is about 20cm, for 0.1x magnification.
On Sony and Fujifilm there’s only a focus ring, with no hard stops, and no aperture ring or switches. The RF-S version adds an AF/MF switch. The mount is metal, the barrel plastic, and the lens is weather sealed with a mount gasket. A hood and a case come in the box.
How it performs
Abbott and Photography Blog both found it light and compact, with fast, quiet and accurate autofocus. Distortion and color fringing are low, and Abbott found coma well controlled for astrophotography. Weather sealing at this price is a plus.
Abbott found the corners soft wide open, and Photography Blog saw heavy corner vignetting at f/2. Flare resistance gets mixed reviews: Photography Blog saw flare into the sun, while Abbott rated it good. Without hard stops, setting infinity focus for stars takes care. The hood doesn’t reverse for storage, and Abbott found in-camera correction support incomplete.
Who should buy it
APS-C shooters who want a small, sealed ultra-wide for astro, night cities and vlogging. It suits the Sony ZV-E10 II, Fujifilm X-M5 and Canon EOS R10.
The Viltrox AF 13mm F1.4 is brighter but twice the weight and unsealed. The Sony E 11mm F1.8 is wider and smaller. If you want a zoom, the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 is barely heavier. Samyang’s AF 35-150mm shows the brand at the other end of the range.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.