Ultra-wide angle lenses open up creative possibilities you just can't replicate with anything else. But finding a lens that's both affordable and sharp enough for professional use can be challenging.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this straightforward video tests the Samyang AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE lens, specifically designed for Sony full frame mirrorless cameras. At just over 200 grams, it's noticeably lightweight, making it ideal if you're out and about shooting landscapes, architecture, or interiors. Frost highlights that the lens’ close focusing distance lets you capture unusual close-up perspectives that other wide-angle lenses might miss. While build quality is plastic, Frost finds it surprisingly solid, including weather-sealing and a convenient USB-C port for firmware updates. Although the lens feels reliable, Frost notes that you'll need to handle its considerable distortion and vignetting through in-camera corrections to avoid issues in your final images.
In terms of image quality, Frost puts the lens through its paces on the demanding 61-megapixel Sony a7CR. Wide open at f/2.8, it's impressively sharp in the center, though you'll see some softness and noticeable color fringing towards the corners. He finds image quality improves significantly by stopping down slightly, hitting a sweet spot around f/4 and f/5.6. Frost emphasizes this lens isn’t flawless, especially pointing out how the color fringing remains visible even after stopping down. But given its modest price point, it provides performance that's better than expected, particularly if you're using cameras in the 30-40 megapixel range, rather than ultra-high-resolution models.
Key Specs
-
Focal Length: 16mm
-
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
-
Minimum Aperture: f/22
-
Lens Mount: Sony E (Full-Frame)
-
Angle of View: 107°
-
Minimum Focus Distance: 4.68" (11.89 cm)
-
Magnification: 0.33x
-
Optical Design: 8 Elements in 7 Groups
-
Autofocus: Yes
-
Image Stabilization: No
-
Filter Size: 62 mm (Front)
-
Dimensions: ø: 69.8 x L: 10.5" (ø: 177.3 x L: 26.7 cm)
-
Weight: 0.5 lb (207 g)
What makes this lens appealing is the way it balances price, weight, and overall quality. It's clear from Frost’s testing that while there are some compromises in performance, its sharpness, autofocus reliability, and portability provide substantial value. This lens won't replace high-end professional wide angles for critical work, but it could become your go-to for casual shooting, travel photography, or even vlogging, thanks to its compact size and quiet autofocus. Frost also demonstrates how the lens handles tricky situations like bright lights and sun stars, offering practical insights into where the lens thrives and where it struggles. He highlights that the lens' bokeh can be pleasantly smooth in close-up shots but somewhat distracting in mid-distance backgrounds. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
No comments yet