Samyang is taking another run at autofocus Canon RF lenses

3 weeks ago 15
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
Samyang 12mm f2 on canon R10
Image: Samyang

LK Samyang is making another attempt at selling autofocus lenses for Canon's RF mount. It announced that it's bringing the Samyang AF 12mm F2, a 19mm equivalent ultra-wide prime for APS-C cameras, to the system and says that users should "stay tuned for more exciting releases in the RF-S family."

The lens is weather-sealed, and the company says it's meant for outdoor photography, such as landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography. The lens' optical formula is made up of 12 elements in 10 groups, with three ED elements and two aspherical lenses. It has a 7-bladed aperture.

It weighs 213g (7.5oz) and is 5.7 cm (2.25") long. It accepts 62mm filters and has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9").

The company previously attempted to make autofocus lenses for RF mount, but pulled them off the market shortly after they went on sale. Viltrox, another third-party company, has said that Canon threatened legal action against it for making lenses for the system.

Other companies, such as Sigma and Tamron, have recently started producing APS-C lenses for RF, though they've explicitly stated that they've done so under license from Canon. Samyang's 12mm F2 product page doesn't appear to mention anything about an official collaboration with the company.

The AF 12mm F2 will cost $449, though it's currently listed as a pre-order on Samyang's site. That's slightly less than the retail price for the lens on Fujifilm's X mount, though slightly more than it costs on Sony's E-mount.

$449 at Samyang

Samyang AF 12mm F2 Specifications:

Principal specificationsLens typeMax Format sizeFocal lengthImage stabilizationLens mountApertureMaximum apertureMinimum apertureAperture ringNumber of diaphragm bladesOpticsElementsGroupsSpecial elements / coatingsFocusMinimum focusMaximum magnificationAutofocusMotor typeFocus methodDistance scaleDoF scalePhysicalWeightDiameterLengthMaterialsSealingColourPower zoomZoom lockFilter threadHood suppliedTripod collar
Prime lens
APS-C / DX
12 mm
No
Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Sony E
F2
F22
No
7
12
10
1 × hybrid aspheric (H-ASP), 1 × aspherical (ASP) and 3 × extra low dispersion (ED) elements, ultra multi coating (UMC)
0.20 m (7.87)
0.09×
Yes
Stepper motor
Internal
No
No
213 g (0.47 lb)
70 mm (2.76)
59 mm (2.32)
Aluminum alloy
Yes
black
No
No
62 mm
Yes
No
Read Entire Article