Samyang AF 35 mm f/1.4 P FE review

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Samyang AF 35 mm f/1.4 P FE

13 March 2025

Maciej Latałło

10. Autofocus and focus breathing

Autofocus

The autofocus of the Samyang AF 35 mm f/1.4 P FE we tested with the help of two bodies the Sony A7R IIIa and the Sony A7R V. In both cases the mechanism was noisless and relatively fast – running through the whole distance range and confirming the focus took about 0.6-0.7 of a second.

When it comes to the accuracy of the autofocus we didn't have any serious problems. In the majority of cases the focus was set where we intended it to, without any wavering or focus play. In one case, with the lens attached to the A7R V, the autofocus of the Samyang managed to freeze the camera. After pressing the shutter release the mechanism moved in the right direction, reached the proximity of the right position and then the camera froze. We had to remove the batteries, put them inside again and restart the set.

When it comes to the back or front focus tendencies we didn't notice anything wrong no matter to what camera body the lens was attached to.

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A7R IIIa, f/1.4

Samyang AF 35 mm f/1.4 P FE - Autofocus and focus breathing

A7R V, f/1.4

Focus breathing

Focus breathing tests show reframing images as you oversharp them. We conduct the test by manually passing from the minimum focusing distance to infinity with the aperture stopped down; then we check how the field of view of the lens changed as a result.

A frame change ranging from 0 to 5% we consider to be low. Between 5 and 10% you can speak about medium levels. Usually such values constitute also the maximum efficiency level of any breathing compensation algorithms, present in some bodies. Between 10 and 15% focus breathing is high, above 15% its level can be called very high.

The test video of the Samyang lens is presented below:

On the basis of the recording above, comparing freeze-frames before and after oversharpening, we can estimate that the breathing of the tested lens amounts to about 2% so is rather negligible and shouldn't worry you at all in practical situations. Still, it should be noticed that with the change of focusing distance distortion changes as well and if you switch on its correction in the camera's menu the focus breathing level can change as well. Of course it can't change our conclusion that the tested lens doesn't have any problems in this area.