Samyang MF 12mm F2.0 Manual Focus Lens for Fuji X - Black

Product Information

The Samyang AF 12mm F2 X (also known as the Rokinon AF 12mm F2 X in the USA) is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens for the Fujifilm X-series range of APS-C mirrorless cameras. So far, that makes the little Samyang similar in astro’ performance to Fuji’s own Japanese-made fast XF The Samyang AF 12mm F2 X is a compact ultra-wide-angle lens, especially when compared to the other alternative lenses in the X-series line-up, like the XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR and the XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR zooms.

Capture the rich colors of Fujifilm to landscapes and snapshots with the advantages of the ultra-wide angle of view and the usability of the autofocus lens!I’m not a pixel peeper but from my results, when stopped down a couple of stops it’s a really sharp lens and even wide open at f2 it’s really useable and at this aperture makes for a great lens to use in dimly lit conditions. So much so, that I now use it at weddings for the first dance, cake cutting etc. Well, you can find a first impressions video review by Luca Petralia (as well as a summary) down below. When I once again got a Fujifilm interchangeable-lens camera, I regularly attached the Rokinon lens to it. However, as time went on, I used the lens less-and-less. It has nothing to do with the quality of the glass, which is quite good, especially considering how inexpensive this lens is. The reason why I employ the Rokinon 12mm f/2 lens less frequently now is because of the focal-length. The 18mm-full-frame-equivalent focal-length of this lens is just a little too wide for my current tastes. Still, it’s sometimes nice to go ultra-wide, and I’m glad that I have this lens for those occasions. It measures 59.2mm / 2.3in in length and weighs in at 212g / 7.5oz. It is a little on the bulbous side, though, with the maximum diameter measuring 70.0mm.

The lens also doesn't feature built-in optical image stabilisation, relying instead on the camera body's stabilisation system. Focussing on the Samyang 12mm is manual. If you’re used to autofocus lenses, it’s tempting to think this may be difficult, but it isn’t. In fact, you don’t even need to use manual focus camera features like the Focus Peaking.Focusing is down to 0.2 m, or 0.66 feet, for a maximum magnification of 0.09x. This is usefully close, but not in the realm of macro photography.

Taking the rating on performance, the result moves from 4 to 4.5 partly because the lens performed significantly better than a previously tested similar Samyang optic for E mount. They couldn't be the same rating, but in any event even changing that figure wouldn't change the overall result. The central sharpness (actually resolution of course) is very high, which does eclipse the edges somewhat as a result. However, the edges are still very good and that still means a very good result. Images will be sharp edge to edge. In the AF 12mm F2 X lens, Samyang have employed an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded blades, which has resulted in quite appealing bokeh for what is after all an ultra-wide-angle lens.It is an extra-wide-angle manual focus lens designed for APS-C crop sensor mirrorless cameras. With low distortion and wide angle, photographers who want wide-angle photos such as landscape and architectural images can create satisfactory images. F2.0 is very bright so it captures clear and vivid images even in relatively dark environment. The Samyang 12mm isn’t a weather-sealed lens so you will need to take care. By this I mean you shouldn’t take the lens out in heavy rain without covering it. This hasn’t prevented me using this lens in quite poor conditions but I’m also careful to protect it. Using the Samyang 12mm Unlike some “cheaper” prime lenses, the Samyang 12mm uses true focusing and isn’t “focus by wire”. This allows Samyang to include a focus scale on the ring which is something I find useful when photographing landscapes. Whilst I haven’t done any testing, the focus scale appears reasonably accurate. Aperture Ring

Next I have two shots taken with the Pergear 12mm f/2 lens (first shot), and Rokinon 12mm f/2 (second shot). They reveal noticeable differences. The real field of view of the Pergear 12mm f/2 lens is more narrow compared to the Rokinon. Also, the level of details are significantly higher in the image corners of the Rokinon. snipped) the lens performed significantly better than a previously tested similar Samyang optic for E mount. They couldn't be the same rating, but in any event even changing that figure wouldn't change the overall result. The central sharpness (actually resolution of course) is very high, which does eclipse the edges somewhat as a result. However, the edges are still very good and that still means a very good result. Images will be sharp edge to edge. as the previous manual focus only Samyang 12mm f/2 version, the lens still suffers when shooting directly into the sun. It gives lots of flare and some chromatic aberration. Sunstars are good, though [ admin note: I am happy to hear that, as sunstars are probably the one thing I do not really love on my original manual focus only Samyang 12mm f/2]Personally I prefer a lens to be very compact, and typically I’m not using lens hoods unless the front element is protruding out of the front of the lens. This is not the case with the Pergear 12mm f/2 lens. The front element sits deep enough to not touch the surface if if you placed it face down on the surface. The filter diameter is 62mm, so I’ll probably attach a protective filter later. It is much easier to wipe out flat filter surface compared to the more complex process of cleaning an almost spherical front optical element. Optical construction is 12 elements in 10 groups, including 1 Hybrid Aspherical, 1 Aspherical and 3 ED (Extra-Low Dispersion). The diaphragm comprises 7 blades. Flare resistance is enhanced by the use of Samyang's well-proven UMC multi-layer coating techniques.