Equipment review: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 manual focus lens for milky way landscapes

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Samyang 14mm f/2.8 (Manual Focus) Review for Astrophotography

(Also known as the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 in North America)

When it comes to astrophotography gear, we all have our checklists — usability under the stars, optical performance, portability, and durability. After all, we’re not just taking photos; we’re venturing into the dark, chasing starlight. But what really matters most in the field? And where does this budget-friendly wide-angle fit in?

In this review, I’ll:

• Give an overview of the lens
• Outline its main strengths
• Discuss its weaknesses
• And share my verdict on whether it’s worth it for beginner astrophotographers

Let’s dive in.

Overview

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC has earned a bit of a cult following among night-sky enthusiasts. It’s the kind of lens that shows up in countless astrophotography bags.

With its ultra-wide 14mm field of view and fast f/2.8 aperture, this lens captures sweeping nightscapes — from horizon-to-horizon Milky Way arcs to vast fields of stars. Despite its modest price, it punches well above its weight, capable of producing breathtaking images when treated with care. Some of my personal best Milky Way shots have come through this lens.

Key Specs:

• Focal length: 14mm (full-frame) / 21mm (APS-C equivalent)
• Max aperture: f/2.8
• Focus: Manual only (no autofocus or electronic contacts)
• Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups (3 high-refractive, 2 ED)
• Filter thread: None (bulbous front element)
• Weight: ~530 g
• Angle of view: ~115° (on full-frame)
• Weight - around 550g
• Material - mainly made of plastic 

Just look at all that glass. This lens is an absolute 'light gathering' beast

Strengths for Astrophotography

1. A window to the cosmos
At 14mm, the field of view is wide enough to swallow the Milky Way whole. On a full-frame camera, you can often fit the entire galactic core and horizon in one shot. This makes it ideal for those grand, cinematic night landscapes — the kind where the sky feels like an ocean and the foreground and tripod is your anchor

2. Excellent value for money
At around £250–£300, it’s hard to beat. It delivers genuine ultra-wide performance without breaking the bank — a rare find in astrophotography. It’s often the go-to “first Milky Way lens” for beginners on forums like Cloudy Nights and r/Astrophotography. One user summed it up nicely: “Cheap, manual, and sharp where it counts.”

3. Respectable coma control (for the price)
Even wide open at f/2.8, stars stay round and well-behaved in the centre, with only mild stretching toward the corners. It’s not flawless, but for its price class, it’s impressively restrained.

4. The beauty of manual focus
Because this lens is purely mechanical, there’s no risk of focus drift or accidental AF hunting in the dark. Once you’ve found that perfect infinity point (usually a hair before the hard stop), you can tape the ring and shoot all night. It’s wonderfully simple — one less variable to worry about under the stars.

5. Built like a tank
The all-metal construction and smooth focus ring make it feel solid and reliable. When you’re out in cold, damp, or even frosty conditions, fewer electronics mean fewer things that can go wrong.

Let's talk lens cap. Not one that easily slips into a trouser pocket is it?

Designed to fit over the large front petal rimmed lens area. 

As a consequence two things to be aware of - firstly - no screw threads for filters; and secondly - a nightmare if you want to do calibration frames as the petal design lets light through in the 'gaps'. 

Although I haven't done it yet, on my 'to do' list is cutting down a 3D printed bahtinov mast to fit around the petal hood to negate this issue. 

Weaknesses and Limitations

1. Heavy vignetting
At f/2.8, corners can be about 3 stops darker than the centre — something you’ll definitely notice in unprocessed Milky Way shots. Think of it as a flashlight beam effect that you’ll need to balance out in post-processing.

2. Soft corners
The centre sharpness is excellent, but the edges do suffer a bit of coma and stretching. Stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 improves things, though at the cost of longer exposures or higher ISO.

3. Moustache distortion
The lens exhibits a distinctive “moustache” distortion — wavy and complex, especially visible with straight horizons or architectural elements. It’s mostly irrelevant for deep-sky shots, but if you like including landscapes or structures, some post-correction may be needed.

4. No electronic communication
No EXIF data, no aperture readout, no autofocus. Everything is manual. For astrophotography that’s fine — but worth noting if you’re used to modern digital convenience.

5. Filter limitations
That bulbous front element looks cool but makes using filters tricky. You’ll need a special 150mm holder if you want to use ND or gradient filters. For Canon DSLR users, clip-in filters are a handy workaround.

6. Sample variation
Quality control can be hit or miss — some lenses have slight decentring or uneven sharpness. Buying from a reputable retailer with an easy return policy is your best safeguard.

7. An inaccurate focusing ring 

On my lens, the focus ring is slow to rotate making manula focus adjustments at times tricky. The apparent depth of field is very large and so I find myself having to focus stack the foreground at times, using 'live view'. And, maybe its just my particular lens, but does anyone else find that the distance scale on the ring doesn't seem very accurate? I never just set it to infinity - as infinity - in reality seems to be a little bit back off the mark, hence the taped remninder ytou see on my lens cap! 

My Experience

This has been my main Milky Way lens for a while now — and honestly, it’s been a joy. On a tripod, it handles 15–30 second exposures beautifully. My copy shows only mild coma, easy to fix in post. Stars remain crisp and defined at f/2.8, which is usually where I leave it.

Mounted on a tracker, it shines even more. Sixty-second exposures are clean, and detail in the galactic core pops beautifully. I always tape the focus ring once it’s dialed in — a small ritual that pays off every time.

Verdict

For me, the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 has been one of the best investments I’ve made in astrophotography. It’s affordable, reliable, and capable of truly inspiring results. It’s not perfect — few things at this price point are — but it rewards patience and good technique. Think of it as a sturdy workhorse: not glamorous, but tireless and dependable.

For beginners, it’s a brilliant first step into the night-sky world.

If you’re ready to spend more, however, consider alternatives like the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — purpose-built for astrophotography and two stops faster, allowing lower ISO and shorter exposures. The Sigma 14–24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is another stellar (pun intended) option with great corner sharpness and flexibility, though it’ll cost you several times more than the Samyang.

Bottom line:
The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is like a well-loved telescope — simple, rugged, and surprisingly powerful once you learn its quirks. For anyone looking to capture their first Milky Way, it’s a gateway to the stars.

Taken last year with my samyang 14mm lens