Samyang has modified the design of the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens by adding a DOF scale at the request of photographers. Originally announced on 16 September 2010, this ultra-fast moderate wide-angle manual-focus lens has also seen a reduction in size, Samyang says. Available in Canon, Four Thirds, Nikon, Pentax, Samsung NX and Sony Alpha fit, the lens is priced at €379 including taxes.

HDW : I do not know this company nor the quality of the glass but here are some very encouraging words from a photographer who tested the 85mm lens against a Nikon 85mm lens.

Final words
Some of you are probably thinking that the 1200€ Nikkor is way ahead and is the better lens. Yes, in some ways I agree, but when you take into consideration the prices then value becomes an important issue, especially since the optical performance of both lenses are so close and the price differences so great. I mean is an extra 800€ really worth it for lens that performs only slightly better optically and offers AF? Not to mention its inability to be focused manually! 

So the Samyang has to be the best bargain going around on the net at the moment. If you are a wedding or portrait photographer on a tight budget or just starting out, then you can’t go wrong with the Samyang AE 85mm f/1.4 lens. For 300€ you get a well built manual focusing portrait lens that performs similarly to the legendary AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D.     John Caz Photography