Question 1

Is the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 worth buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for the price point of a used copy, it punches well above its weight. The optical formula includes aspherical and ED elements, and the UMC coatings keep contrast high. Multiple reviewers have called it a genuine bargain for a fast 35mm prime. The trade-off is manual focus only, but if you're comfortable with that, you get optics that compete with pricier alternatives.

Question 2

What does 'AS UMC AE' mean in the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC AE name?

Accepted Answer

AS stands for Aspherical — the lens contains at least one aspherical element to reduce spherical aberration and keep edges sharp. UMC is Ultra Multi Coating, Samyang's multi-layered anti-reflective treatment that cuts down on flare and ghosting. AE indicates the lens has an electronic aperture chip that communicates exposure data back to compatible camera bodies, so EXIF info is recorded correctly.

Question 3

Does the Samyang 35mm f1.4 for Olympus Four Thirds have autofocus?

Accepted Answer

No — this is a fully manual focus lens. There is no autofocus motor of any kind. You focus by turning the focus ring on the barrel. On Olympus DSLR bodies with a good optical viewfinder and focus confirmation indicator, manual focusing with this lens is very manageable, especially for street, landscape, and portrait work where you often want to pre-focus anyway.

Question 4

Is the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 sharp at f/1.4?

Accepted Answer

It's genuinely usable wide open, which is a notable achievement for a fast budget prime. The centre sharpness at f/1.4 is strong; corners improve noticeably by f/2.8. For portraits and street shots where you want subject separation, shooting wide open is perfectly practical. For landscapes where you need edge-to-edge sharpness, stopping down to f/5.6–f/8 is the sweet spot.

Question 5

What filter size does the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC take?

Accepted Answer

Based on multiple spec sources for this lens, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC is reported to use a 77mm filter thread — though it's always worth double-checking the physical marking on your specific copy, as mount variants can occasionally differ. If confirmed, 77mm is a widely available pro-standard size, so ND and circular polariser filters are easy to find and can often be shared with other lenses in your kit.

Question 6

Can I use this Olympus Four Thirds lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera?

Accepted Answer

Not directly — Four Thirds is Olympus's DSLR bayonet standard, which has a different flange distance than Micro Four Thirds (MFT). With a Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds adapter, the lens can physically mount on MFT bodies, and since it's manual focus anyway, there's no electronic functionality lost. Check adapter compatibility with your specific body before buying.

Question 7

How does the Samyang 35mm 1.4 compare to other fast 35mm primes for Four Thirds?

Accepted Answer

The Samyang is one of the few dedicated fast 35mm primes available in the Four Thirds mount at all, which already makes it stand out. Compared to a hypothetical 35mm f/2 alternative, the f/1.4 gives you a full stop and a third more light — meaningful for astro photography or wedding work in dark venues. The optical design includes both aspherical and ED glass elements, which is typically found in more expensive lenses. The main trade-off is that faster apertures mean a larger, heavier build and more careful technique needed wide open.

Question 8

Is buying a used Samyang lens a safe bet?

Accepted Answer

Samyang manual primes are actually among the safest used lens purchases you can make. Without an autofocus motor, focus-by-wire mechanics, or image stabilisation systems, there are fewer mechanical components that can degrade. The main things to verify are the optical condition (clean glass, no fungus) and focus ring smoothness — both of which are checked during the inspection process. Every lens sold here comes with a minimum of 12 months warranty for added peace of mind.

Mount	Four Thirds
Focal range	Wide Angle
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	35 mm
Focal length (max)	35 mm
Max. aperture	f/1.4
Stabilisation
Auto Focus

Cart (0)

Samyang Optics 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC AE (Olympus)

Cart (0)

About the Samyang Optics 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC AE (Olympus)

Key Specifications

Who is the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC AE for?

Buying a used Samyang 35mm f/1.4 for Olympus

Frequently asked questions