Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE § 03 Head to head
Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE vs Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical
Samyang 21mm f/3.5 is 159 g lighter. Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 is 23 mm shorter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE is a 21mm f/3.5 prime, and the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical is a 21mm f/3.5 prime. On paper the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE 
Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE better than the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical?
- 159 g lighter (71 g vs 230 g)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 52 mm)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2018)
Why is the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical better than the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE?
- 23 mm shorter (39.9 mm vs 63 mm long)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (10 vs 7)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE has the edge: it is 159 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE has the edge: it is 159 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE | Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 21mm | 21mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 71 g ◆ | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| Dimensions | 19.5 x 63 mm | 62.8 x 39.9 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.15 m ◆ | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 10 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 7 elements / 6 groups | 9 elements / 8 groups |
| Filter size | 49 mm ◆ | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Released | 2024 | 2018 |
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Size
- A · Samyang
- B · Voigtlander
- 63 × 19.5 mm
- 39.9 × 62.8 mm
The Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE is 23 mm longer and 159 g lighter than the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical.
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Sample frames
Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE or the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical?
- The Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE weighs 71 g, 159 g less than the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical (230 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE or the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical?
- The Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical.
- Do the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE and the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE or the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE has the edge: it is 159 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE or the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21 mm f/3.5 Aspherical better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Samyang RS 21 mm f/3.5 FE has the edge: it is 159 g lighter to carry.