{"id":37494,"date":"2023-02-13T18:26:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T17:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=37494"},"modified":"2026-03-23T20:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:29:36","slug":"review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Samyang AF 18mm 2.8 FE &#8211; The affordable UWA lens"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37644\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37644\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37644\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Title.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Title.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Title-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Title-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37644\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A small, lightweight and very affordable 18mm lens can be an interesting option for many photographers. It can extend the viewing angle compared to a midrange zoom significantly and if you only rarely delve into ultra wideangle photography it can also be a great option, as you will have less money sitting idle in your lens cabinet. The Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF wants to be exactly this lens, but the question remains, how high a toll the small size took on its optical performance. Let&#8217;s find out about that in this review!<\/p>\n<h2>Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37912\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37912\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37912\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_20.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_20.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_20-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_20-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/3.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37911\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37911\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37911\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_17.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_17.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_3.2_17-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37911\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/3.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37910\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37910\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37910\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_19.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_19.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_19-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_19-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37910\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37764\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37764\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37764\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_3.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37764\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37893\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37893\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37893\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_14.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_14-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37893\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><em>Most of the sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkeQV\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>Specifications<\/h2>\n<p>The Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF is one of Samyang&#8217;s smallest AF lenses. It has the following specifications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Diameter: 63 mm<\/li>\n<li>Field of view: 100.1\u00b0 (diagonally)<\/li>\n<li>Length: 56 mm<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 143g (without hood and caps)<\/li>\n<li>Filter Diameter: 58 mm<\/li>\n<li>Number of Aperture Blades: 7 (mostly straight)<\/li>\n<li>Elements\/Groups: 9\/8<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37513 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18_2.8_structure.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"245\" height=\"151\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37515\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_legend.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"220\" height=\"28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_legend.jpg 303w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_legend-300x39.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Close Focusing Distance: 0.25 m<\/li>\n<li>Maximum Magnification: 1:6.7 (measured)<\/li>\n<li>Mount: Sony E<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/32CaFIy\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2IucdNk\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/3pldib8\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=samyang+18+2.8&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_odkw=sony+200-600&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820130&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com <\/a>for <strong>$299<\/strong> (advertisememt\/affiliate links)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Disclosure<\/h2>\n<p>A few years ago we received a review sample from Samyang, but it was noticeably <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-check-how-decentered-your-lens-is\/\">decentered<\/a>, so we had to return it without reviewing it. This time the lens was kindly provided free of charge by our reader Wladimir P. from Hamburg for reviewing purposes, who even did a centering test before sending it, thanks a lot!<\/p>\n<h2>Handling\/Build Quality<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37642\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37642\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37642\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37642\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In terms of controls this 18mm lens is as basic as possible, featuring only one by-wire focus ring. It is mostly linear and takes about 90\u00b0 rotation from the minimum focus distance of 0.25 m to infinity. When making small adjustments the focus ring isn&#8217;t perfectly responsive, but it gets the job done.<\/p>\n<p>It might be possible to make changes to the rotation angle via the lens station, but I didn&#8217;t have one available to check.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37643\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37643\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37643\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Hood.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Hood-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37643\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF with hood attached on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The lens ships with a tiny lens hood. It is matte on the inside and can be attached reversed to take up less space for transport.<\/p>\n<p>Being an AF lens the Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF of course features electronic contacts to communicate with the camera.<\/p>\n<p>When I have used the term &#8220;dinky Samyang AF lenses&#8221; in the past (and I sure did) the build quality of this 18mm 2.8 is why: most of the casing is made of slightly slippery, cheap plastic (that also attracts finger prints easily) and same is true for the lens hood as well. I am sure the plastic of this lens hood is as thin as technically possible. There is also no rubber gasket at the bayonet. Still, there is a huge benefit to all this: the lens is extremely lightweight at 143g only.<\/p>\n<h2>AF performance<\/h2>\n<p>I am not shooting sports or fast moving animals\/humans so if you want to know if the lens is fast enough for this or how it compares to other lenses in this segment you may have to look for a different review with a more detailed assessment of this aspect.<\/p>\n<p>In everyday use I found the AF to be decent and accurate enough, also near silent.<\/p>\n<h2>Vignetting<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37500\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37500\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-37500 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/vignetting_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"750\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/vignetting_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF.jpg 750w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/vignetting_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF-300x244.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37500\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-70\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-70\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/2.8<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.2 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/4.0<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.6 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/5.6-f\/16<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.4 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-70 from cache -->\n<p>Around 3 EV vignetting at the maximum aperture do not come as a surprise, as even the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-batis-18mm-2-8\/\">Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8<\/a> showed 2.6 EV at f\/2.8. Unfortunately stopping down doesn&#8217;t help that much here though, as at f\/11 still 2.4 EV vignetting remain.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37498\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_vig_graph.png\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"1026\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_vig_graph.png 1026w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_vig_graph-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_vig_graph-800x597.png 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_vig_graph-768x573.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1026px) 100vw, 1026px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>It is recommended to have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/vignetting-graphs-explained\/\">this article<\/a> first to get an idea how this brightness graph works.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Sharpness<\/h2>\n<h3>infinity (42mp Sony A7rII)<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37585\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Sharpness_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_R2.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"1400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Sharpness_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_R2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Sharpness_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_R2-171x300.jpg 171w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Sharpness_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_R2-731x1280.jpg 731w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Sharpness_Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_R2-768x1344.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37574\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37574\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37574\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_overview.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_overview.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_overview-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_overview-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37574\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony ArII | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This is a well centered sample, but neither the midframe area nor the corners look particularly great at f\/2.8. For any landscape\/architecture applications where across frame performance is important I would try to use f\/8.0, which is the aperture that shows the best performance.<\/p>\n<h3><em>close 0.25 m, 1:6.7 (42mp Sony A7rII)<br \/>\n<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-1-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-29973\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-1-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-29973\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane1-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37571\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37572\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37573\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_sharpness_close_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>100% crops from center, A7rII, <\/em><em>refocused for every shot.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>At close distances I would also recommend to stop down to f\/4.0 to get more contrasty shots. A minimum focus distance of 0.25 m is pretty nice though and allows for interesting close-up shots.<\/p>\n<h2>Flare resistance<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37594\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37594\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37594\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11_2.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11_2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37594\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony ArII | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In an ultra wide angle lens good flare resistance is very important to me. With a wide viewing angle the sun will often be in or at least close to the frame and a bad performance in this category will lead to plenty of ruined pictures.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily the Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF shows a surprisingly good performance. You may run into a rainbow\/crescent artefact depending on the position of the strong light source in the frame, but what you see above is about the worst that can happen and with slight reframing it was often possible to get rid of this completely.<\/p>\n<p>With a strong point light source situated outside the frame veiling flare can be an issue, too. The small supplied hood does help a lot here though:<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-2-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-95216\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">no hood<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">hood<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-2-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-95216\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane2-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37588\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_no_hood.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_no_hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_no_hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_no_hood-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37587\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_hood.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sample_Flare_hood-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Sony A7rII | Samyang FE 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Even with the hood attached it is still possible to create some artefacts, but these are staged scenarios and with either slightly reframing or shading the lens with your hand you can get rid of these easily.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37593\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37593\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37593\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Flare_Sample_11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony ArII | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Coma<\/h2>\n<p>As usual Samyang&#8217;s engineers put some effort to correct this aberration well. There is still some coma visible at f\/2.8 and f\/4.0, but have to actually zoom in a lot to notice it.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-3-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-23474\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-3-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-23474\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane3-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37605\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_2.8-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37606 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37607 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37608 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Coma_8.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">100% crops from extreme corner, Sony A7rII<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Distortion<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-4-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-66918\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">uncorrected<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">corrected<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-4-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-66918\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane4-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37554\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_uncorrected.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_uncorrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_uncorrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_uncorrected-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37553\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_corrected.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_corrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_corrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_distortion_corrected-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/5.6<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF shows a wavy distortion pattern &#8211; not nearly as wavy\/bad as the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-astrhori-18mm-8-0-shift\/\">AstrHori 18mm 8.0<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-funleader-18mm-8-0\/\">Funleader 18mm 8.0<\/a> though. Luckily there is a correction profile in Lightroom\/CameraRaw available, but going by the sample above it doesn&#8217;t look to me like it is doing a perfect job, as the lines are still not perfectly straight.<\/p>\n<p>For most applications using this profile should be good enough, but if you are doing a lot of architecture photography and you are more picky about this you may not be perfectly happy with this lens here.<\/p>\n<h2>Sunstars<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike coma correction nice sunstars aren&#8217;t very high on Samyang&#8217;s priority list. Regular readers already know that an even number of aperture blades leads to distinct sunstars whereas this 18mm 2.8 is using 7 aperture blades.<br \/>\nThis is actually my least favorite configuration as this is neither good news for sunstars nor good enough to keep highlights round when stopping down.<\/p>\n<p>So what do we get here? The rays are frayed and have uneven lengths, something I personally find unappealing and also a sign of not so tight manufacturing tolerances for the aperture diaphragm.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-5-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-86089\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/2.8<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/11<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/16<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-6\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/22<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-5-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-86089\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane5-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37596\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_2.8.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_2.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_2.8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_2.8-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37597\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_4.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37598\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_5.6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37599\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_8.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37600\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_11.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_11-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37601\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_16.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_16-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37602\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_22.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_22.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_Sunstars_22-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Full pictures, Sony A7rII<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Chromatic aberration<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>lateral<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-6-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-72032\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">uncorrected<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">corrected<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-6-review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens-72032\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane6-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37617\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_uncorrected.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_uncorrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_uncorrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_uncorrected-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37616\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_corrected.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_corrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_corrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_laCA_corrected-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>100% crops from border, A7rII<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lateral CA are on a medium level and as usual easy to correct in post with the help of one click in Lightroom..<\/p>\n<h3><strong>longitudinal<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Being a wide angle lens and not a particularly fast one bokeh fringing isn&#8217;t really an issue.<\/p>\n<p>In very high contrast scenes like the one below some lenses show purple fringing, but even that is hardly the case here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37595\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37595\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37595\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_loca_Crop.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_loca_Crop.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_loca_Crop-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_AF_loca_Crop-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37595\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony ArII | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8 | 100% crop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Alternatives<\/h2>\n<p>You can find all the alternatives in the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/user-guide-ultra-wideangle-lenses-sony-alpha-7-series\/\">9-18mm ultra wide angle guide<\/a> as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wideangle-lenses-for-the-sony-alpha-7-series\/\">20-28mm wide angle guide<\/a>. I did pick a few ones I think are worth discussing in more detail though.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Tamron 20mm 2.8 Di III OSD M1:2:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nPersonally I am not a huge fan of Tamron&#8217;s f\/2.8 wide angle prime series, but their price has been reduced several times so the Tamron 20mm 2.8 is now actually cheaper than this Samyang 18mm 2.8. While not as light as the Samyang it is still a lightweight lens at 221g, but noticeably bigger. I rate the Tamron&#8217;s build quality a bit higher, but it also lacks any controls and its manual focus ring is not very pleasant to use as well. On top of that AF might also be slower. If you are looking for an affordable wide angle prime (and it doesn&#8217;t have to be 18mm) this one is still worth a look.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/35a6CEH\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/36iQOyT\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/3p8eGxL\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=tamron+20mm+2.8+sony&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_odkw=sony+20mm+1.8+g&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820130&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com <\/a>(advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$249<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-tamron-17-28mm-f-2-8-di-iii-rxd\/\">Tamron 17-28mm 2.8 Di III RXD:<\/a><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\nThe Tamron 17-28mm 2.8 is a really good performer, especially at its wide end. Despite being a zoom lens I think it performs better compared to this Samyang in pretty much every area. It is not as small and almost three times the price, but it can still be a very good deal if having a 28mm 2.8 option will save you from carrying another lens.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2SrqUBA\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Sxkzow\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/2Y2AsnK\">B&amp;H<\/a>&nbsp;(advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$799<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-batis-18mm-2-8\/\"><em><strong>Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8:<\/strong><\/em><\/a><br \/>\nThis is an 18mm 2.8 lens as good as it can possibly be. It easily beats this Samyang in every category, except for size, weight and obviously price. Personally, I think the Batis is overpriced these days, this is quite obvious comparing it to something like the Sony FE 14mm 1.8 GM which is easily as good yet faster and wider (and therefore harder to design). Also the aforementioned Tamron 17-28mm 2.8 is really good at the wide end and only half the price. Still, if you are a Zeiss fan or if you really like 18mm you won&#8217;t be disappointed by this one.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?LH_CAds=&amp;_ex_kw=&amp;_fpos=&amp;_fspt=1&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=zeiss+batis+18mm&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sadis=&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ebay<\/a>&nbsp;| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B01E8OBQS8\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B01E8OBQS8&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=httpphillinet-20&amp;linkId=1f5b71ac3ccf863c50da5bfc2b626348\">amazon.com <\/a>| <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/2xBjMMz\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2l0S9DH\">amazon.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$1549<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">sharpness stopped down<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">flare resistance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">size\/weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">price<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>average<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Coma correction<\/li>\n<li>CA correction<\/li>\n<li>handling\/build quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>not good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">high vignetting<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">wavy distortion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Samyang 18mm 2.8 is not a lens that is easy to love. It feels a bit cheap, the focus ring isn&#8217;t super pleasant to use, there are no controls at all, vignetting is high (especially stopped down) and the distortion is of the annoyingly wavy type (luckily correction profiles are available).<br \/>\nAnd as usual I recommend to only buy it at a shop with decent return policy, so you can <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-check-how-decentered-your-lens-is\/\">check it for proper centering<\/a> first.<\/p>\n<p>If you manage to get a good sample and you can look past these annoyances this is a capable, compact and affordable ultra wide angle lens for stopped down landscape and architecture shooting though. The good flare resistance is what easily puts it above most of the (few anyway) legacy lenses in this focal length range.<br \/>\nEspecially the small size and weight make it an interesting addition to a midrange zoom starting at 24-28mm, expanding the capabilities of your <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/building-a-lens-kit\/\">kit<\/a> considerably without weighing you down or breaking the bank. It is also the widest affordable prime lens with AF.<\/p>\n<p><em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/32CaFIy\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2IucdNk\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/3pldib8\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=samyang+18+2.8&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_odkw=sony+200-600&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820130&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com <\/a>for <strong>$299<\/strong> (advertisememt\/affiliate links)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37770\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37770\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37770\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_13.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_13.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_13-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37768\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37768\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37768\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_8.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_8-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37765\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37765\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37765\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_4.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37763\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37763\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37763\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_9.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_9-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37763\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37894\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37894\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_14.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_14-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37767\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37767\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37767\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_7.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_8.0_7-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37760\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37760\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37760\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_6.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37892\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37892\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37892\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_13.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_13.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_5.6_13-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37892\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37762\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37762\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37762\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_12.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_12.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_12-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_12-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37762\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37913\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37913\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37913\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_15.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_15.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_4.0_15-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37913\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37759\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37759\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_2.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37758\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37758\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-37758\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_1.jpg\" alt=\"18 2.8 af fe samyang review a7rii a7rv a7riv 42mp 61mp contrast resolution sharpness bokeh\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Samyang_18mm_2.8_Sample_2.8_1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37758\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7III | Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Most of the sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkeQV\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Further Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/lenses\/all-lens-reviews\/\">All Lens Reviews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-9mm-5-6-ff-rl\/\">Review: Laowa 9mm 5.6 &#8211; The World&#8217;s widest lens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-take-better-photos-composition-part-1\/\">How to take better pictures?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/user-guide-ultra-wideangle-lenses-sony-alpha-7-series\/\">Guide: 9-18mm lenses for Sony FE<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>You can also join our <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/socialmedia\/\">Discord server<\/a> to discuss this review with the community.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Support Us<\/h2>\n<p>Did you find this article useful or just liked reading it? Treat us to a coffee!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=3K9EJRRQVXT4J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40345 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donate2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"103\" height=\"29\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"> <span style=\"color: #999999;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"><em>via Paypal<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>This site contains advertisememt\/affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as advertisememt\/affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction A small, lightweight and very affordable 18mm lens can be an interesting option for many photographers. It can extend the viewing angle compared to a midrange zoom significantly and if you only rarely delve into ultra wideangle photography it can also be a great option, as you will have less money sitting idle in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-samyang-af-18mm-2-8-fe-the-affordable-uwa-lens\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Review: Samyang AF 18mm 2.8 FE &#8211; The affordable UWA lens<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4708,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,257,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-review","category-samyang","category-sony-e-mount"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: Samyang AF 18mm 2.8 FE - The affordable UWA lens - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Samyang 18mm 2.8 AF is a very affordable, compact and lightweight ultra wide angle lens for fullframe. 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