| Latest Review Posted | Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS
First copy I received appeared excellent at first, but further tests revealed decentering. This manifested itself as uneven vignetting wide open and severe distortion in the upper right corner or the frame. Stopping down helped, but distortion was unacceptable. If this lens did not suffer from the decentering defect I would give it a 10, but as this is probably common, I would suggest 8 or 9. Even with the defects found it is a usable lens in many applications where the one particular corner can be managed. I returned the lens to B&H, which was cheerfully exchanged.
Evaluation of the second copy revealed good sharpness overall. Vignetting at f/2 is noticeable, but gone by f/2.8. Colors are punchy and vivid. Bokeh on close-ups is very good, with very thin DOF.
The lens does exhibit coma in the frame corners, especially wide open. A concern for astrophotographers, but stopped down to f/2,8 produces a nice flat field with very little vignetting and tolerable coma. See "first light" images below. Pleasing images at f/2.8 straight out of my K-5 IIs.
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