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Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC vs Zeiss Carl Distagon T 3,518

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Samyang 20mm F1.8

Wideangle Prime | Canon EF

Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
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Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18

Wideangle Prime | Canon EF

Carl Zeiss Distagon T 3,518
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Samyang 20mm F1.8 vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Samyang 20mm F1.8 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Samyang and Zeiss.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Samyang 20mm F1.8 Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 497g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 88mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m

Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 Key Specs

  • 18mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 82mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 470g.
  • Diameter: 87mm
  • Length: 84mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.3m
  • Max Magnification:0.083x

What type of photography are the Samyang 20mm F1.8 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 20mm F1.8 and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang 20mm F1.8 Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentAverage
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Samyang 20mm F1.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 88mm. The Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 with a length of 84mm is 4mm shorter. On the other hand, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 has a larger diameter of 87mm compared to Samyang 20mm F1.8's 83mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 weighs 470g, 5% (27g) lighter than the Samyang 20mm F1.8's weight of 497g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 35mm f2 IS USM Lens Canon 35mm f2 IS USM
63mm
78mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 28mm f2.8 Lens Canon 28mm f2.8
43mm
67mm 185g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 Mk2 Lens Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 Mk2
96mm
87mm 649g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD Lens Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD
mm
mm 805g Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 14mm f2.8 IF ED MC Lens Rokinon 14mm f2.8
96mm
87mm 552g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 28mm F2.8 Color Skopar SL II Lens Voigtlander 28mm F2.8 Color Skopar SL II
25mm
63mm 180g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM A
130mm
91mm 950g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 24mm f2.8 IS USM Lens Canon 24mm f2.8 IS USM
56mm
68mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Samyang 20mm F1.8 and Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Samyang 20mm F1.8 is also available in Canon EF-M , Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF, Samsung NX, Sony Alpha and Sony E mounts.

Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 is also available in Pentax KAF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Samyang 20mm F1.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 32mm.
Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 18mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 28.8mm.

Reasons to choose Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC over Carl Zeiss Distagon T 3,518

Focal Length - Tele 20mm vs 18mm 2mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Diameter 83mm vs 87mm 4mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 77mm vs 82mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.3m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Distagon T 3,518 over Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC

Focal Length - Wide 18mm vs 20mm 2mm Wider coverage
Weight 470g vs 497g 27g lighter
Length 84mm vs 88mm 4mm shorter
Max Magnification 0.083x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 3,518
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 3,518
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Samyang 20mm F1.8 vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T3,5/18 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 20mm 18mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Unknown Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F3.5
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 7 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 13 13
Optical Groups 12 11
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.3m
Max Magnification unknown 0.083X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 497g 470g
Diameter 83mm 87mm
Length 88mm 84mm
Materials Unknown metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 77mm 82mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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