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Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II

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Samyang XP 35mm F1.2

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 for the EF Mount and the Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II for the EF Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Samyang and Voigtlander.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1106g.
  • Diameter: 93mm
  • Length: 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.34m
  • Max Magnification: 0.17x

Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II Key Specs

  • 40mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 200g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 25mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.38m
  • Max Magnification: 0.14x

What type of photography are the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II
Bird/WildlifePoorFair
SportsPoorFair
PortraitAverageGood
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentVery Good
WeddingAverageGood
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 is the longer of the two lenses at 117mm. The Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II with a length of 25mm, is 92mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 also has a larger diameter of 93mm compared to the Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II's 63mm diameter.

The 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. Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II weighs 200g, 81% (906g) lighter than the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2's weight of 1106g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
39mm
69mm 159g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.4 USM
51mm
74mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens Canon 50mm f1.8 II
41mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM
63mm
74mm 435g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
100mm
85mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.2L USM
66mm
86mm 580g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM Lens Canon 40mm f2.8 STM
22mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II 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.

Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 52.5mm.
Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 40mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 64mm.

Reasons to choose Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 over Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II

Focal Length - Wide 35mm vs 40mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 2 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 2 Wider aperture at tele end
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.17x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II over Samyang XP 35mm F1.2

Focal Length - Tele 40mm vs 35mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 200g vs 1106g 906g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 93mm 30mm smaller in diameter
Length 25mm vs 117mm 92mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II
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 XP 35mm F1.2 vs Voigtlander 40mm F2 SL II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Voigtlander
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 35mm 40mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.2 F2.0
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 12 6
Optical Groups 10 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.34m 0.38m
Max Magnification 0.17X 0.14X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Internal -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 1106g 200g
Diameter 93mm 63mm
Length 117mm 25mm
Materials Metal metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 86mm 52mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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