I am so impressed by this inexpensive little lens. I have a Canon 6D and the photos are very crisp with fast focusing. Even at f2.0 I feel the photos are very sharp. So glad I ordered. Recently posted a few photos taken in an online Facebook group and everyone wanted to know what lens I used. Only complaint is that it is a little loud by how can you go wrong for $99 :)
Mike R
5
EDIT: This review is written on the original price of about 120 bucks (sold by amazon) -- 3rd party sellers are selling this lens for much more, and at that price it becomes similar in price to the Canon version of the lens. (I own and use a wide range of lenses, mostly faster primes (f1.4), some "L" lenses and some zooms ranging from the entry-level to the mid-range) Ive been using Yongnuo products for a few years and have been generally happy with them.. Theyve been making speedlights for several years and started off a bit iffy but quickly brought up the quality. With the YN35mm f2 being their 2nd lens, I was honestly not expecting much. Tried this one on both a full-frame and crop-sensor camera for the results below. * BUILD QUALITY * : The lens is mostly plastic but has a metal mount. It feels a bit higher quality than the canon 50mm 1.8 but not by much. The lens does not have the distance marker scale that the Canon 35mm f2 has, but otherwise Im not very familiar with that lens. * ACCESSORIES / BUTTONS * The lens does include a front and rear cap (the lens cap being a nice E-52II comparable cap). Uses 52mm threading for filters. The side has an AF/MF switch for going between modes From what I can tell, there is no attachment for a lens-hood. Youll need to buy a threaded (52mm) hood if you want to attach one to this lens. The lens does extend while focusing but the barrel does not rotate. IMPORTANT: For some reason, yongnuo puts a protective cover over the front and rear elements glass of the lens -- be sure to remove these stickers before use. * FOCUSING/NOISE * : The lens does make a loud mechanical noise while zooming, almost identical to the 50mm 1.8 Canon lens. If youre shooting video, you will hear it (noise is fairly loud in both autofocus and manual) The focusing works if you dont need super fast focusing (spots). It doesnt seem to hunt, its just slow. Focusing is accurate, though, and taking 15 test shots (setting lens to infinity each time and focusing at different distances from minimum (.25m/.8ft) to maximum), all 15 were accurate * COMPATABILITY * : The lens works on both APS (full-frame) and APS-C (1.6x crop) sensors with an EF or EF-S mount. * EXIF DATA * : Lens displays as "35mm F2" (no maker) in EXIF data.. Serial # shows as 00000000. Other data is shown (such as aperture -- some 3rd party lenses will not display this, or will display the lens as a "50mm" with no additional data regardless of focal length and aperture). Ive heard that some peoples YN35s will display as a Sigma 24-xx zoom lens, so they may have changed this since the first batch. * CLARITY/SHARPNESS * : Surprisingly.. the lens is sharp! I originally tested at F2, expecting some issues, and it performed very well. Clarity was there (even at 100% crop), colors were nice, sharpness was high and the out of focus elements were really nice and smooth looking (some lenses product an ugly out of focus/bokeh area). Moving up to f/2.8 the lens got quite a bit sharper. I would consider it very usable at even f2, but will probably keep it at f2.8 for portraits and to ensure sharp focus. Color fringing was noticeable on a few shots with a high contrast but wasnt bad (lightroom fixed it up quickly), and nowhere near as bad as something like the Canon 85mm 1.8. * PROBLEMS * : For some reason, the lens would not focus properly in live view. I dont know why this is -- it will "hunt" for focus, it will lock in but every time it was very obviously out of focus. I dont know if this is an issue with the camera itself or this particular lens (all other lenses tested had no issues focusing in live-view) Unfortunately I dont have a Canon 35mm f2 to compare it to, but Im more than happy with this one and would buy another Yongnuo lens without hesitation assuming this one holds up over time. * OVERALL * : Highly recommended, especially if youre wanting a lens a bit wider and faster than the 40mm 2.8 or something to go alongside a 50mm 1.4/1.8
CHI MOM
5
Im a Canon girl and I have all Canon gear. I wasnt really loving my Canon 35-80mm so I thought Id try this lens after watching the price drop $30. What a neat little lens it is! Iput it on my 70d to test it. I took several photos on automatic focus and they turned out good, but then I switched to manual focus and they turned out great! I got sharp photos with nice creamy bokeh and softer effect at the edges. Its not a Canon L lens series but you get a lot of bang for the buck at a very affordable price. After researching thus lens and deciding that its a Canon knockoff Im really glad I ordered it. If you are hesitant about spending a lot of money for a 35mm but still want one, I suggest trying this little gem.
Haley Walls
5
I was a little hesitant to purchase this lens and I actually had the money set aside for the Sigma 35 Art that everyone raves about. However, I decided to take a chance and spend a fraction of what I had saved and give this lens a shot. Im so happy I did! I put this lens on my Canon 6D and it is incredibly sharp! Ive heard so many photographers complain about the noise the lens makes, but Ive honestly not paid much attention to it. It doesnt seem to bother my clients at all, either. Overall, Im very impressed!
A. F. Butchart
4
I typically shoot with Canon L series and primes so when I try out cheap consumer lenses I can tell the difference right away. Some can be hidden gems - like the yongnuo 35mm f2. This lens struck me as a nearly identical copy of canons 50mm f1.8 I except obviously its 35mm. It does not seem any cheaper in construction quality than the Canon. Optically it seems similar to the Canon as well- sharp but shallow at f2, really sharp by f4. Color rendition seems good and neutral. AF seems to hit the mark even in relatively dim light. Cant complain there. Manual focus feels smooth but plasticy - better than some more expensive lenses Ive used and again very similar to the Canon 50. My only complaint is that the Nikon version seems to be a better design with bayonet hood, focus scale, etc. This is an obvious choice for casual and occasional use, but for pro daily use Id get an L.
Skye
4
Well - I must say I was skeptical at first but this lens does produce a really beautiful image for the price. Ive shot with canons version of this lens, however I couldnt justify not trying this first. Its nO canon, but for $88 - this Lens kills it. I shoot manual with my canon 6D - here is a few images from today. Ill also note that I purchased the additional warranty due to a few reviews of the lens failing after a few uses.... hopefully that doesnt happen for me :)
janette guido
5
The lens are amazing, I was scared to order at first bcof negative reviews, BUT I am so glad i ordered!!! Arrived today and I put it to the test if used in a bright area natural light or studio they work very good and fast, not so good in low light Auto focus struggles in low light but works perfect when in bright area. I personally shoot manual but i put it tp the test for feed back. They do not seem cheap in my opinion very well made looks like a canon to me. Quality of images crystal clear. Worked perfect with my Canon T3i and T6i
Rachel S. Reid
5
Great lens for the money. I dont expect it to perform like a $600 piece of glass, but it holds its own VERY well. I used it for an entire newborn session just 2 days after receiving it and am very impressed with the results. My new favorite lens!
Dave B
1
Ive had great success with both the YN600EX-RT II Speedliteand YN14EX Macro Ring Lite but I cant say the same for the YONGNUO YN35mm F2 Lens 1:2 AF / MF Wide-Angle Fixed/Prime Auto Focus Lens. It no longer stops down the aperture and the AF mechanism has become even more noisy. While still under warranty, I have been unable to get a response from Yongnuo on a repair. I am outside the 90 day purchase window from Amazon so no help there. Neither Yongnuo or the Amazon reseller, Duoda Digital, that I purchased the lens from has replied. I even posted a message to Yongnuos FB page 2 days ago and no response. I found what appeared to be a USA site but they are a reseller and will only assist with warranty claims if you purchase from them. Looks like the lens is a write-off and the last Yongnuo product I will purchase.
Photographer Advocate
1
This lens IS noisy; if you havent had expensive lenses you wouldnt know just how noisy, but it is at least as noisy as the Canon 50mm macro. It did hunt quite a bit in low light even wide open. I got an error "error communicating with lens; clean lens contacts" which was disconcerting. I may return it. But really, it does produce gorgeous results. It is very fast, the wide open produced less purple fringing than I expected and the sharpness was very good. I was not able to get live view working with the lens and an extension tube for some reason; perhaps this error is related to the problem. I still think that this lens is a very good value, even if autofocus didnt work at all. I played around mostly with macros today, but could see this easily as a portrait lens even as wide as it is. Im shooting on a FF Canon 5DMK III but will try on the 60D I have. Updated 5/29/17: I should have posted this months ago but the thing failed within a few weeks. Also, it literally got locked onto the bezel and wouldnt come off. Still not sure how I managed to remove it from the camera. Now it rattles like pieces have come loose inside. Too bad, another throw away lens.
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