Samyang 12mm f2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye Lens
I’ve been able to try using this wonderful little 12mm f2.8 fisheye lens from Samyang. It’s a little hard to find in a Sony FE mount, but they’re out there. WEX occasionally have them here… WEX, and it might be worth giving Amazon a try using this search. They seem to often only have access to Sony E mount and Canon, perhaps not Sony FE, but it’s worth a try. The Samyang 12mm f2.8 is a little gem, and can be picked up for just a few hundred quid.
The Samyang 12mm f2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye lens is an exceptional piece of equipment that is specially designed to deliver the stunning image quality and performance for photographers and videographers who demand the best. A high quality that we’ve come to expect from Samyang.
I find that this lens is ideal for use with Sony Alpha cameras, and its small size and low cost make it really stand out from the crowd.
At its core, this lens features a 12-element, 8-group optical design that includes three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements and two Aspherical (AS) elements. These elements work together to minimize distortion, chromatic aberration, and other optical imperfections, producing images that are exceptionally sharp, clear, and distortion-free. Remarkable for a fisheye lens really, I’ve been very impressed.
Yes, the distortion can be exaggerated by the usual suspects, long straight lines, objects in the periphery etc, but this little lens does a great job of making those shots more palatable. You can see it in action in a few of my hiking videos, like this one, where I use it a lot in the Rhinogydd mountains of Snowdonia over a 3-day trip. You’ll be able to clearly identify those super wide fisheye shots and get a feel for its quality and find a use case… so you can buy it….!
The Samyang 12mm f2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye lens also boasts a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, which makes it perfect for low-light shooting and achieving shallow depth-of-field effects. With this lens, you can create stunning images with beautiful bokeh and blur, even in challenging lighting conditions. I’ve used it many times on those wild camping trips for night sky astrophotography with superb results.
This lens also features a Nano Crystal Coating (NCS), which helps to reduce flare and ghosting, even when shooting in bright sunlight or with strong light sources in the frame. Additionally, the focus distance scale and depth of field markings make it easy to set up shots and achieve precise focus, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear.
It’s a manual focus lens, so make sure you’re happy with that before purchasing.
When used with Sony Alpha cameras, the Samyang 12mm f2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye lens delivers outstanding performance and compatibility. Something worth mentioning here too, is that if you use this with the Sony A7iii or similar like I do, then you get to take advantage of the APS-C crop mode when shooting video. This means that you lose a bit of that edge distortion when you feel like you need to.
The centre bulging will remain, and of course, this only really benefits you in video mode, but it’s useful to remember. Get that APS-C button assigned!
Overall, the Samyang 12mm f2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye lens is an exceptional piece of equipment that I’m happy to recommend. With its advanced optics, fast aperture, and fisheye design, it is a versatile and reliable lens that can handle a wide range of shooting situations with ease, at an affordable price. Good stuff Samyang.
A little more about Samyang…
I like Samyang. Sometimes they get a hard time, like the poor little brothers to that expensive Sony FE glass, but they make a good lens.
They’re a renowned South Korean optics company that has been producing high-quality lenses for more than four decades. Founded in 1972, the company has since become a leading manufacturer of lenses for various applications, including photography, videography, and scientific research.
Samyang's lens manufacturing process is known for its precision and attention to detail. The company uses advanced technology and the latest manufacturing techniques to produce lenses that deliver exceptional performance and quality. Each lens undergoes rigorous testing and quality control measures to ensure that it meets Samyang's high standards of excellence.
One of the key features of Samyang's lens manufacturing process is its use of advanced optical elements. The company uses a range of specialized glass elements, including Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and Aspherical (AS) elements, to reduce distortion, chromatic aberration, and other common optical imperfections. This results in images that are exceptionally sharp, clear, and true-to-life, with vibrant colors and precise details.
Samyang's lens manufacturing also includes the use of specialized coatings to reduce flare and ghosting. The company's Nano Crystal Coating (NCS) is particularly effective, providing a high level of anti-reflective properties that help to reduce glare and ensure optimal light transmission. This results in images that are free of unwanted reflections and distortion, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Samyang's lens manufacturing process also includes a focus on innovation and creativity. The company is constantly developing new technologies and techniques to push the boundaries of what is possible with lens design. For example, Samyang's fisheye lenses are particularly noteworthy, providing an ultra-wide field of view that allows photographers and videographers to capture stunning images with unique perspectives.
Overall, Samyang is a company that is committed to producing lenses of exceptional quality and performance. Through its focus on advanced optics, specialized coatings, and innovative design, Samyang has become a trusted name in the world of photography and videography, with a reputation for producing some of the best lenses on the market. Whether you're a professional photographer, videographer, or simply an enthusiast, a Samyang lens is sure to deliver exceptional results and help you take your craft to the next level.