Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS was launched as a kit lens to match the NX10 DSLR camera body. It delivers rather a typical focal lens of 27-82.5mm on a sub-frame (APS-C-sized) sensor, which is the usual thing for other manufacturers’ kit lenses.

As to its optical construction, the lens combines 12 elements in 9 groups and includes 1 aspherical element in its design to provide correction for chromatic aberrations. It also has a circular aperture that is formed with 7 diaphragm blades.

The 18-55mm delivers a 75.9 to 28.7-degree picture angle and offers a minimum focus of 28 cm with a maximum magnification of 0.22 times. The advantage of this lens is that it is equipped with built-in optical stabilization, which allow using slower shutter speeds and thus improves the lens’s low light performance.

The lens is rather small and fits the NX10 camera body very well. It is made of black polycarbonate, and unfortunately doesn’t include metal mount other NX lenses are supplied with. It also has neither a distance scale, nor depth-of-field indicator.

The 18-55mm sells with a petal-shaped lens hood that is attaches easily and acts as a perfect shield from stray light.

Photoreview.com.au:
As a kit lens, its performance is up to the standard of most entry and lower mid-level DSLRs, moreover, it delivers low levels of chromatic aberration and minimal vignetting. Though, it cannot deliver totally distortion-free images.

Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS Kit Lens – Specifications:

• Picture angle: 75.9 to 28.7 Degrees
• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Lens Construction: 12 Elements in 9 Groups
• 1 Aspherical Lens Element
• Diaphragm Blades: 7 (Circular Aperture)
• Minimum Focus: 28 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.22x
• Filter Size: 58 mm
• Diameter: 63mm
• Length: 65.1 mm
• Weight: 198 grams (without hood)
• Lens Mount: Samsung NX

Samyang Optics, the Korean manufacturer of industrial optics and photographic lenses, has announced the introduction of the new lens, the Samyang 14mm f2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical.

This prime lens is suitable especially for full-frame sensor cameras, but works with APS-C cameras as well. It will be offered in Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony Alpha mounts.

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 lens features 6 diaphragm blades and is capable of focusing as close as eleven inches (28 centimeters).

Optical construction includes 14 elements in 12 groups. 2 ED low dispersion lenses and 2 hybrid aspherical lenses combine to minimize distortion and chromatic aberrations. Such optical construction allows to deliver razor sharp images even in corners.

The lens is optically corrected what is especially useful in architecture and landscape photography. 114° angle of view (when used with a 35mm full-frame SLR) gives extraordinary possibilities in creating pictures. With a Nikon, Pentax or Sony APS-C DSLR it is 92.5°, and 89° with a Canon APS-C DSLR.

In a market dominated by zoom lenses, it’s certainly refreshing to see Samyang offering a new alternative, high quality and moderate price prime lenses.

Samyang 14mm f2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical Lens – Specifications:

• Lens Style: Ultra Wide Angle
• Focal Length: 14mm
• Maximum Aperture: 22
• Minimum Aperture: 2.8
• Angle of View (Full-frame): 114º
• Angle of View (APS-C): 92.5º
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28m
• 6 Diaphragm Blades
• Manual Focus
• Lens Construction: 14 Elements in 12 Groups
• High quality anti reflecting layers
• Two ED lenses and Two Hybrid Aspherical Lenses
• Available Mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax
• Available in November 2009

Official Information: samyang.pl.