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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
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.
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.
