Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0 review - Build quality

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Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0

17 June 2015

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

Let’s start with comparing the tested lens to other full frame 2/35 constructions – the following chart will make it easier. Although the Yongnuo instruments seem to be very similar to the older Canons EF, already the first 1.8/50 model differed in the build of the casing and the colour of coatings. The lens tested by us here has even more differences and they concern not only its dimensions and weight but also a different position of the manual focus ring and the lack of distance scale, featured by both Canons behind a window along with a depth of field scale. The Yongnuo doesn’t have those. Such savings made it also physically the lightest instrument in the group.

In the photo below the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0 is positioned between the new Canon EF 35 mm f/2.0 IS USM and the Sigma A 35 mm f/1.4 HSM.

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Contrary to the YN 50 mm f/1.8, the Yongnuo 2/35 starts with a metal mount surrounding contacts and a rear element, 23 mm in diameter. The element moves along the whole optical system, being positioned on the same level as the contacts at infinity and hiding almost 1 cm deep inside the casing at the minimum focusing distance. Still that movement doesn’t uncover any parts of the inner tube.

Looking from above on the proper tube of the lens you might see a minimum distance marking from which the focus is set. Right next to it you find a red dot making the alignment with a camera easier and an inscription “35 mm”. On the left side of the instrument there is an AF/MF switch used to select the focusing mechanism mode and then another inscription: “Yongnuo Digital”.

The body of the lens ends with a manual focus ring. It is ribbed and only as wide as 8 mm, without any scale. The ring’s performance is very bad – not only running through the whole scale takes just about 80 degrees but also it is plagued with slacks. You can forget about precise settings.

The front element of the lens is 31 mm in diameter; it is surrounded by a non-rotating filter thread, 52 mm in diameter, and inscriptions with the name and the parameters of the lens along the information that it was produced in China.

When it comes to its optical construction it would be difficult to notice any difference between the tested lens and the Canon EF 35 mm f/2.0. Both constructions feature 7 elements positioned in 5 groups. Still the Yongnuo’s aperture looks better with seven diaphragm blades and it can be closed down to a value of f/22.

Buyers get just both caps in the box.