Samyang Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens for Canon EF Review
The Samyang 10mm f/2.8 is a manual-focus beast built for one job: delivering a massive 106-degree field of view on a budget. Just don't expect any hand-holding.
Overview
This lens is a weird one. It's a super-wide 10mm prime for Canon APS-C cameras, but it's built like a tank and focuses surprisingly close. The one thing to know is that it's a niche tool. You're not buying this for versatility or travel. You're buying it because you need that massive 106-degree field of view and you want to get right up in your subject's face.
Performance
The biggest surprise here is the macro score. For a lens this wide, hitting the 79th percentile for close-up work is unexpected and kind of cool. You can focus down to just under 3.5 inches, which lets you create some wild, distorted perspectives. Everything else about the performance is exactly what you'd expect from a manual-focus, non-stabilized prime: solidly average optics and a build quality that feels a bit cheap.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 106-degree angle of view is absolutely massive and fun to use. 84th
- Close-focusing capability is excellent for a wide-angle, opening up creative options. 82th
- Inner focusing means the lens hood stays put and the front element doesn't rotate (good for filters). 71th
- The f/2.8 aperture is decently bright for this focal length.
Cons
- Build quality feels cheap, landing in the bottom 17th percentile. 18th
- No autofocus or image stabilization, which is a deal-breaker for many.
- It's a heavy 635g brick, and it's not weather-sealed at all.
- Optical quality is just okay, ranking in the 34th percentile.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle |
| Focal Length Min | 10 |
| Focal Length Max | 10 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 240 |
Value & Pricing
At $256, it's not a bad deal if you absolutely need this specific focal length and can live without autofocus. But for most people, that's a big 'if'. You're paying for the ultra-wide field and close focus, not for polish or convenience.
vs Competition
Don't compare this to standard zooms like the Canon EF-S 17-85mm. That's apples and oranges. A more relevant competitor is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. The Viltrox gives you autofocus, a more versatile focal length, and a brighter aperture for similar money, but you lose the extreme wide-angle. If you need autofocus and a wide view, you're looking at spending way more on something like a Canon 10-18mm. This Samyang is for the manual-focus enthusiast who wants that specific, distorted look.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens for Canon EF | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | 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 | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 10mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 590 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 422 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
Only buy this lens if you're a Canon APS-C shooter who loves manual focus and you're chasing that ultra-wide, close-up aesthetic. For everyone else, the lack of autofocus and mediocre build are too big of a compromise. Look at a used Canon 10-18mm or save up for something better.