Hands On With The Samyang AF 35mm F/1.4 FE II

Earlier today Samyang announced an updated version of its 2017 full-frame AF 35mm f/1.4 FE. The new version aptly called the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II brings a few improvements to the table and joins several other lens updates by the South Korean manufacturer released as part of the 50-year celebration on Samyang.

What’s new with the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II?

The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II doesn’t innovate like the Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE (which was recently announced and we are currently testing) or even the AF 50mm F1.4 II (which we are also testing).

While the optical formula didn’t change compared to the older version, the new version does bring a few things to the table.

The first is the custom switch which allows users to set different functionality using the Samyang USB-Dock (including AF/MF and aperture control via the lens ring). The second is the programable focus-hold button (which can receive different functions from the camera by the user).

The third change has to do with the AF motor. The motor on the original AF 35mm f/1.4 was one of the first on a Samyang lens and the company made improvements since then. Unlike the original motor which used DLSM (or Dual Linear Sonic Motor) while the new motor is an STM (or Linear Stepping Motor) which should also be better suited for video.

As far as we can tell the new version of the lens is water and dust resistant, unlike its predecessor.

The new Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE

Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE Lens Specs

Here are some of the main specs for the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens:

35mm f/1.4 FF lens.
The lens has 13 elements in 11 groups (including 2 HR, and 2 aspherical elements).
Linear STM AF motor.
Dust and water-resistant.
Min focus distance – 29cm (1:5.5 magnification).
9 rounded blades aperture.
67 mm filter.
Weight – 659g.
Mounts – Sony E.

The custom switch and focus hold button on the side of the lens

Pricing and availability

The Samyang will start shipping later in 2022 (Samyang did not specify but we know that some lenses will start shipping as soon as early April). As for pricing, although the company didn’t specify pricing as well we expect the price to be between $750-$800.

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.