Samyang AF 24mm F/1.8 Sony FE

Samyang AF 24mm F/1.8 Sony FE – Fast F1.8 Wide-Angle Prime Optimized for Astrophotography

The Samyang AF 24mm F/1.8 for Sony FE is a wide-angle prime designed with features that help astrophotographers and landscape shooters capture sharp, low-light images. It combines a large F1.8 aperture, a modern optical formula, and dedicated tools for accurate infinity focus in dark conditions.

Key features at a glance

• Custom Mode with LED indicator to set and recall precise infinity focus.
• Focus Hold button that moves focus directly to infinity and saves custom values.
• Optical construction of 11 elements in 8 groups, including 7 special lens elements (2 ASP, 3 HR, 2 ED).
• Large F1.8 aperture with 9-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh.
• Wide 83.7° angle of view and short minimum focus distance of 0.19 m.
• Compact and lightweight design: 230 g weight and 71.5 mm in length.
• Weather sealing at five locations for protection against dust, light rain and snow.
• STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus for quiet and precise operation in stills and video.
• Custom Switch for quick selection of Aperture Control Mode or MF Mode; firmware updates may add more functions.

Optical performance and astrophotography benefits

The lens uses 11 optical elements arranged in 8 groups, including seven special elements (two aspherical, three high-refractive (HR) and two extra-low dispersion (ED)). This construction aims to deliver excellent corner-to-corner resolution, even at the maximum aperture of F1.8. Samyang designed the optics to reduce spherical aberration and coma, characteristics that are particularly important for sharp stars and minimal distortion at night.

Custom Mode and LED indicator — practical for night work

Samyang added a dedicated Custom Mode and an LED indicator specifically to assist astrophotographers. When entering Custom Mode, the LED blinks red once and the lens automatically moves to the factory default infinity position. You can use the Focus Hold button to save your camera-body-specific infinity focus value. If the saved focus value differs from the current value, the LED shows red; pressing the Focus Hold button will adjust focus to the saved value and the LED will turn green.

This workflow lets you store a precise infinity focus per camera body and recall it quickly in very dark conditions where checking focus visually is difficult. Because factory default infinity may vary slightly between camera bodies, Custom Mode ensures you can rely on a saved, exact focus point.

Aperture and depth-of-field control

The fast F1.8 maximum aperture gives you strong low-light performance and control over depth of field. The 9-blade circular aperture helps produce smooth, natural-looking bokeh when you isolate subjects. Together, these features suit scenes that require subject separation as well as expansive night-sky shots.

Versatility for landscapes, astrophotography and everyday snapshots

With an 83.7° field of view and a minimum focus distance of 0.19 m, this 24mm prime adapts to many shooting situations. Use it for wide landscapes, star fields, or close foreground elements combined with a night sky. The combination of wide angle, fast aperture and short close-focus capability gives you room to create different perspectives in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Compact design and handling

The lens remains highly portable. It weighs 230 g and measures 71.5 mm in length, which enhances mobility when paired with compact Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. The matt finish and laser-engraved font improve readability, while a tactile mounting index aids quick alignment. Additionally, weather sealing in five locations helps protect the lens from dust, light rain and snow, enabling use in less-than-perfect conditions.

Autofocus and video suitability

The lens employs an STM (Stepping Motor) system to drive autofocus. This motor enables quieter and smoother focusing, allowing the lens to control a larger and heavier focus group with precision. As a result, the AF 24mm F/1.8 FE is suitable for both still photography and movie work where low noise and steady focus transitions matter.

Customisable controls and future updates

The Focus Hold button can lock the lens at a chosen focusing distance and can be reassigned to other functions via the camera body menu. The dedicated Custom Switch lets you quickly switch functions such as Aperture Control Mode or MF Mode. Samyang has also indicated that more functions will be added through future firmware updates, expanding usability over time.

FAQ

Question: Is the AF 24mm F/1.8 suitable for astrophotography?
Answer: Yes. The lens includes a dedicated Custom Mode with an LED indicator to set and recall precise infinity focus, and its optical design reduces spherical aberration and coma—traits that help produce cleaner star images.

Question: How does the Custom Mode work with the Focus Hold button?
Answer: When you enter Custom Mode, the LED blinks red once and the lens moves to the factory default infinity position. You can then save a camera-specific infinity focus using the Focus Hold button. If the saved value differs from the current focus, the LED shows red; pressing the button adjusts focus to the saved value and the LED turns green.

Question: Will the lens perform well for video?
Answer: The lens uses an STM stepping motor for quiet and smooth autofocus, which supports steady focusing in both stills and movies. The large aperture and precise AF control help maintain subject separation and consistent focus transitions.

Question: How portable and weather-resistant is this lens?
Answer: The lens is compact and lightweight at 230 g and 71.5 mm long, making it easy to carry on mirrorless setups. It also features weather sealing at five locations to protect against dust, light rain and snow for outdoor use.