Samyang Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Lens for Nikon F (AE Review
The Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 offers pro-level aperture and sharpness at a budget price. The catch? You have to focus it yourself, and it weighs as much as a small zoom.
The 30-Second Version
A sharp, light-hungry beast of a lens that's manually operated and built like a tank. Fantastic optics for the money, but you'll work for every shot.
Overview
The Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 is a one-trick pony, but that trick is letting in a ton of light for cheap. Forget about autofocus or weather sealing—this is a manual-only, metal-and-glass chonk designed for photographers who want f/1.4 bokeh and sharpness without paying for a Nikon or Sigma badge. The one thing to know? You're trading every modern convenience for that fast aperture and surprisingly good optics.
Performance
What surprised us is how sharp this lens can be, especially for the price. Our data puts its optical performance in the 78th percentile, which is legitimately good. The bokeh quality (74th percentile) is also solid for a budget lens. But the trade-off is immediate: it's manual focus only, and at nearly 700 grams, it's a heavy piece of kit for a prime. You feel every gram when you're trying to nail focus.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Massive f/1.4 aperture for stunning low-light performance and shallow depth of field. 88th
- Optical sharpness and bokeh quality punch way above its price tag. 80th
- Solid, all-metal build that feels durable (if heavy). 75th
- Full-frame coverage means it's future-proof if you upgrade your camera body.
Cons
- Manual focus only. If you need AF, look elsewhere immediately. 5th
- It's a brick. At 689g, it's heavier than many zooms.
- No weather sealing, so it's not a great companion for adventures.
- Social proof is in the 7th percentile—it's a niche product without a big user base.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 300 |
Value & Pricing
At $399, it's a steal for the optical performance you get at f/1.4. You simply cannot get this aperture and this level of sharpness from a first-party lens at this price. The value is entirely in the glass. You're just not paying for any of the electronics or automation.
vs Competition
The most direct competitor is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 for Z-mount, which offers autofocus for a similar price. If you're on Nikon F and must have AF, you're looking at used Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lenses, which will cost more. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is a different beast—a versatile zoom with stabilization, but it's slower (f/2.8 vs f/1.4) and for Sony E-mount. This Rokinon wins on pure aperture speed and optical quality per dollar, but loses on every convenience feature.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Lens for Nikon F (AE | Meike Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Lens High | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 689 | 201 | 400 | 269 | 544 | 676 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Common Questions
Q: Is the manual focus hard to use?
It can be, especially in low light. The focus ring is smooth, but there's no focus aid like peaking in-camera unless your Nikon body supports it. It demands practice.
Q: Will this work on my Nikon crop-sensor (DX) camera?
Yes, it's full-frame, so it'll work perfectly on DX bodies, giving you an effective 52.5mm field of view, which is a great portrait length.
Q: How's the build quality?
It's built like a tank—all metal and glass. It feels like it could survive a drop, but the trade-off is the significant 689g weight.
Who Should Skip This
If you need autofocus for chasing kids, pets, or street scenes, this isn't it. Go get a used Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G instead. Also skip it if you're a traveler; its weight and lack of sealing make it a liability. For that, look at a lightweight prime like the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
Verdict
We recommend this lens, but only for a very specific shooter: the patient photographer who values ultimate optical performance over speed and convenience. It's perfect for astrophotography, deliberate portraits, or studio work where you have time to manual focus. For everyone else—especially travel or street photographers—its weight and lack of AF are deal-breakers.