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Rokinon AF 35mm F1.8 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Camera LensesRokinon AF 35mm F1.8

Rokinon AF 35mm F1.8 — image 1

Rokinon

Rokinon AF 35mm F1.8

$298.00

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IO3518-E 1 Year Manufacturer

Expert Review Analysis

The Rokinon AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is a compact, lightweight prime lens for Sony E‑mount full‑frame cameras, offering a bright f/1.8 aperture and advanced optical design. It delivers sharp, colorful images with quiet linear STM autofocus and weather‑sealed construction, making it a versatile choice for travel, street, and hybrid video‑still work.

✓ Best for: Travel and street photographers who need a lightweight, high‑quality prime; hybrid stills‑and‑video creators who benefit from quiet linear STM autofocus; Sony E‑mount users with compact bodies like the A7c; low‑light shooters who want a fast aperture without the bulk of f/1.4 lenses; anyone prioritizing portability without sacrificing image quality.✗ Not ideal for: Photographers who rely heavily on built‑in optical stabilization for handheld low‑light work; users who prefer fully electronic aperture control without manual switches; owners of non‑Sony camera systems without an adapter; those seeking the absolute fastest aperture (f/1.4) regardless of size.

Pros

✓Compact and lightweight design (210 g) makes it ideal for travel and handheld shooting without sacrificing image quality.
✓Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture provides strong low‑light performance and shallow depth‑of‑field control.

Price History

Current

$298.00

Average

$314.65

Lowest

$229.70

Highest

$456.58

Good Deal — 5% below average

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#157Best#10Worst#771 -55

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Accessories

Included AccessoriesPetal lens hood, front and rear lens caps, pouch, manual

Camera

Focal Length35mm mm

Maximum Aperturef/1.8

Minimum Aperturef/22

Format CoverageFull-frame

Angle of View63.6° (full-frame); 43.8° (APS-C)

Design

Dimensions65mm × 63.5mm

Weight210g g

Filter Size58mm mm

Lens MountSony E-mount

Optical Design10 elements in 8 groups

Features

Custom SwitchYes

General

BrandRokinon

ModelIO3518-E

Release Date2020-11-11

Warranty1 Year Manufacturer

Optics

CoatingUltra MultiCoating (UMC)

Autofocus

AF MotorLinear STM

Focus

Focus TypeAutofocus with manual focus switch

Build

Weather SealingYes

Filter

Filter Size58mm

Dimensions & Weight

Height2.56 Inches

Width2.56 Inches

Depth2.5 Inches

Weight0.4625 pounds

Research Sources

bhphotovideo.com

ewoodsphoto.com

sanealcamera.com

camerakingston.fotosource.com

parsonsfoto.com

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User Reviews

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4.6

(393 reviews)

✓Advanced optical formula with 2 aspherical and 2 high‑refractive‑index elements delivers sharpness and excellent color fidelity across the frame.

✓Fast, quiet linear STM autofocus motor enables smooth focus transitions for both stills and video recording.

✓Weather‑sealed construction protects the lens from dust and moisture in challenging shooting environments.

✓Custom focus switch allows quick toggling between autofocus and manual focus, giving flexibility for creative control.

✓Versatile 35 mm focal length works as a standard view on full‑frame and a slightly wider normal on APS‑C sensors.

Cons

✗No built‑in optical image stabilization requires reliance on camera body IBIS or steady technique in dim lighting.
✗Aperture and focus must be switched manually via a custom control, which can be less convenient for some users.
✗Firmware updates are promised to add additional functions, indicating some features are not yet fully implemented.
✗Limited to Sony E‑mount, so it cannot be used directly on other camera systems without an adapter.
✗While lightweight, the lens may still be bulkier than some f/2.8 alternatives for ultra‑compact setups.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Professional reviewers highlight exceptional sharpness and detail retention even at the maximum f/1.8 aperture.
✓The lens is praised for delivering great color reproduction and contrast comparable to higher‑priced Sony 35 mm f/1.8.
✓Experts describe it as the “Goldilocks lens,” offering an optimal balance between portability and optical performance.
✓The fast, quiet linear STM autofocus is noted as ideal for hybrid stills‑and‑video creators.
✓Its weather‑sealed build is commended for durability in demanding shooting conditions.

Criticized by Experts

✗Lack of optical image stabilization is noted as a drawback, especially for handheld low‑light work.
✗The requirement to manually switch between autofocus and manual focus via a custom switch is seen as less ergonomic.
✗Some reviewers mention that additional functionality depends on future firmware updates, indicating incomplete feature set.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Everyday users rave about the lens’s exceptional color reproduction and overall image quality.
✓Sharpness across the entire frame, even at wide open f/1.8, is frequently praised by photographers.
✓The compact size and light weight are repeatedly mentioned as perfect for small‑body Sony cameras like the A7c.
✓Low‑light performance is considered strong, holding its own against faster f/1.4 lenses when paired with IBIS.
✓Versatility as a standard/normal focal length makes it suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios.

Users Complain About

✗Users commonly note the absence of built‑in image stabilization, relying on camera body stabilization.
✗The need to manually control focus and aperture via the custom switch can be inconvenient for some.
✗Some customers point out that certain promised features require firmware updates that have not yet arrived.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers consistently commend the Rokinon AF 35mm f/1.8 for its excellent sharpness, color fidelity, and quiet, fast autofocus, calling it a “Goldilocks lens” that balances portability with near‑professional image quality. While they appreciate its weather‑sealed build and versatile focal length, they note the lack of optical stabilization and the manual focus‑switch ergonomics as minor drawbacks.

What Users Say

Everyday users love the lens’s compactness, lightweight feel, and the high‑quality images it produces, especially the vivid colors and edge‑to‑edge sharpness at f/1.8. Common praise centers on its suitability for travel, street, and low‑light shooting, while the most frequent complaints involve the missing image stabilization and the need to manually toggle focus modes.

Common Complaints

Absence of optical image stabilization, manual focus/aperture switch ergonomics, and pending firmware‑dependent features are the most recurring issues among users.

What People Are Saying

“great colors and sharp images with impressive detail retention”
Professional Review

How It Compares

vs. Rokinon 35mm f/1.4

Advantages

✓Rokinon f/1.8 is far lighter and more compact, making it easier to carry for travel.
✓Provides similar sharpness and color performance while being more affordable.

Disadvantages

✗Rokinon f/1.4 offers a faster aperture for marginally better low‑light gathering.
✗The f/1.4 version is significantly larger and heavier, reducing portability.

Choose the f/1.8 for everyday portability and excellent image quality; opt for the f/1.4 only if you need the absolute fastest aperture and can tolerate the extra size.

vs. Sony 35mm f/1.8

Advantages

✓Rokinon f/1.8 delivers comparable sharpness and color fidelity at a lower price point.
✓Includes weather sealing, which some Sony versions lack.

Disadvantages

✗Sony’s lens integrates more seamlessly with native camera functions and may have superior coatings.
✗Sony offers built‑in optical stabilization in some newer models, which Rokinon lacks.

Select the Rokinon if budget, weight, and weather sealing are priorities; pick the Sony if you prefer native integration and potential stabilization support.

Rating Trend

Rating4.6/ 5Reviews393+69 reviews +0.09