@@fgtechtips hi! I saw your comment! I want to buy this lens for a6300 how can I get the new firmware you mention? does it go extra? I saw the lens on discount on amazon. Thanks in advance for your answer!
I have a small fortune in native Sony lenses. I was going to buy the Sony 28f2 for shooting large groups and families. I borrowed one from a fellow photographer and really liked it. While I still had it I bought the Samyang 35 F2.8 and fell in love with it. I shoot families and couples mostly. I used Sony 85 1.8 and 50 1.8 The 85 is the sharpest lens in my bag. I wanted a lens that could do it all. I thought at first I would just use the Samyang for large groups of people and street. The first time I put it on my Sony a7ii I noticed the color and the sharpness. I was so impressed with it I started using it for my portrait work. After getting to know it I found that it focuses faster and more accurately than the 50mm Sony. I love this lens and would recommend it. I do have to use profile correction on evry photo but I would do that anyway with any lens when it's an option. Thanks for the video and I concur with your rating.
I just bought the Samyang 35 2.8 for Sony A7 III and it works like a charm. AFC in video is totally reliable, no excessive noise and quite fast to keep a good video quality. The bokeh at 2.8 is good for video too. But what made my decision to bought it was the fact that I was able to balance the camera in a Zhiyun Crane M2, so I got a portable but powerful package for on-the-fly video...
@@marcogiuliato Thanks. Samyang has apparently released 5 firmware for this lens. I am on version 3 and don't have the dock, so can't upgrade to the latest. I am okay with its current performance, but my expectations were really low to begin with, given the price of the lens.
Hey man, what's the stabilisation like in video? Is the IBIS good enough or would it benefit from IS in the lens too? How close to the lens to you need to sit to get good bokeh at F2.8?
Maaan, just the video. I bought this lens a year ago and have used it a handful of times. Planning a future trip round the world and starting to think about what equipment to take with me. I’ve got a tamron 28-75 which is awesome for professional photography shoots, but I reckon this video has given me the confidence to take this little guy with me. It’s so portable and also makes an expensive camera look a little less extravagant, which I think will be good when trying to get portraits in remote places! Nice work dude! Respect from LDN town 😎
There is a good reason for the 40.5mm filter threads. The Sony 16-50 kit lens comes with 40.5mm threads, so any adapters/hood mounts purchased for the kit lens will work with this. I have a Fotodiox reversible hood/mount setup that also gives me 52mm threads on the mount. It cost me like $12, and I liked it so much on the kit lens from my a6400 that I picked up another one for the kit lens that came with the NEX-5r I just snagged off eBay. As long as it works on this l be when it comes in tomorrow, I’ll be ordering another unit for it as well. It will let me adapt this l me to take the same magnetic filters I have for my other two lenses.
I'd like 2 things here to add: 1) the Lens came to life into Fall/Winter 2017, so it's not "old" into that term, we're just into Beginning of March, 2020, gosh! 2) Samyang is constantly improving the Firmware, current Version, as of writing here is Firmware v05, and be sure, to flash that into your little 35/2.8 AF FE Sammy, with the Lens Station, cost is some ~40 bucks.
Docking station for firmware updates is not really that big deal... The docking station look like a hockey puck you attach the USB cable to and then mount your lens on... Why I do not consider it to be that big of a deal is because it works with all Samyang (rokinon) lenses with the same mount. And because they do make lenses that are crazy good value for your money... Don't be surprised to find more than one of their lenses in your collection.
@@RNWLL Definitely not Ferrari vs Fiat. These are a couple of Hondas, at best. It's not 3x. And no one pays full retail for old Sony lenses. Can get one from MPB or KEH with 6 month policy for around $300. Aaaand the Samyang needs the lens calibration hardware to even work with new bodies. Sounds more like comparing a moped to a Honda.
Just ordered one for my first native e-mount lens. I have many quality A-mount lenses that I can use with an adapter, but no AF with video which is a bummer. $211 direct from Samyang with lens station.
Here is my dilema: I own an Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for Sony E mount and I wonder if this lens Samyang 35mm f/2.8 could bring me something extra. Should I invest, or Tamron will do the job? Could you help me by making a comparison between Tamron f/2.8 and primes with f/2.8 in almost same focal range (24mm, 35mm, 45mm, 50mm, 85mm). Thank you!
I’m in this same spot. I find myself not bringing my Sony some places because of the Tamron’s size though. I feel like the Samyang 35 would just be ridiculously light and make it feel like a point and shoot for street/landscape whatever. Did you buy it? If so how did you like the change
Would you say this lens has good enough build quality to last for a while if I keep it in my laptop bag as a general purpose street photography lens? I take good care of my gear, but if this won't last, I might just upgrade to Zeiss and call it a day.
@@StefanMalloch Thank You, Photography in my priority... Do you also know which would be better for photography between the same tamron 35 2.8 and the samyang 35mm f1.8 ???
Thank you. Is this lens like a plug and play or do i need to update my camera? Sorry for this question because i just bought my sony a7ii yesterday and i don’t have any experience about photography, i just wanna learn.
Since early 2018, my fave Lens onto my A7. Optically, it's 90-95% of the Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 ZA, but for just 20O EUR nowadays, a steal ! Running latest Firmware, it's fast AF, barely audible, and delivers great Results. Build Quality is "aluminium housing" as Samyang says, with that plastic Focus Ring. "a few years old" is funny, it was released into Fall 2017, so at time of the review, barely 2 years old...a few years means around 5~10.... ;) Lens Station is just 50 bucks, Guys, get a Life ! You can update every Samyang AF Lens with it, so it's a great deal. Only Cheapskates moan about it...but when you use a Fullframe System and Lenses, 50 Bucks ya know, is some kinda joke ! :)
I don’t know if I have a bad copy, or I’m spoiled with good prosumer lenses, but even the Sony 24-105 is way better at 35mm than this toy. It’s sharp, but always has ghosting and fringing. And unlike a Zeiss that also does that, it’s not pleasant ;) .
An amazing portable and great performing lens.
Thanks for the review
did you try the new firmware that came out at the end of 2019? It's supposed to improve AFC performances
@@fgtechtips hi! I saw your comment! I want to buy this lens for a6300 how can I get the new firmware you mention? does it go extra? I saw the lens on discount on amazon. Thanks in advance for your answer!
@@MariaM-mq8gq with the dock that you have to buy separately. Check first if the one you bought is already up to date (in your camera).
I really love this lens for street photography, it's so light and unobtrusive. It's sharp throughout the f stop range and has nice colour.
I have a small fortune in native Sony lenses. I was going to buy the Sony 28f2 for shooting large groups and families. I borrowed one from a fellow photographer and really liked it. While I still had it I bought the Samyang 35 F2.8 and fell in love with it. I shoot families and couples mostly. I used Sony 85 1.8 and 50 1.8 The 85 is the sharpest lens in my bag. I wanted a lens that could do it all. I thought at first I would just use the Samyang for large groups of people and street. The first time I put it on my Sony a7ii I noticed the color and the sharpness. I was so impressed with it I started using it for my portrait work. After getting to know it I found that it focuses faster and more accurately than the 50mm Sony. I love this lens and would recommend it. I do have to use profile correction on evry photo but I would do that anyway with any lens when it's an option. Thanks for the video and I concur with your rating.
I just bought the Samyang 35 2.8 for Sony A7 III and it works like a charm. AFC in video is totally reliable, no excessive noise and quite fast to keep a good video quality. The bokeh at 2.8 is good for video too. But what made my decision to bought it was the fact that I was able to balance the camera in a Zhiyun Crane M2, so I got a portable but powerful package for on-the-fly video...
What firmware version do you have on the lens?
Talha Shah I have the newer one, I updated it through the Samyang Lens Station. But I never found anything different from the previous.
@@marcogiuliato Thanks. Samyang has apparently released 5 firmware for this lens. I am on version 3 and don't have the dock, so can't upgrade to the latest. I am okay with its current performance, but my expectations were really low to begin with, given the price of the lens.
Hey man, what's the stabilisation like in video? Is the IBIS good enough or would it benefit from IS in the lens too? How close to the lens to you need to sit to get good bokeh at F2.8?
Thank you for this feedback Marco. This is exactly what I’m looking for!
Maaan, just the video. I bought this lens a year ago and have used it a handful of times. Planning a future trip round the world and starting to think about what equipment to take with me. I’ve got a tamron 28-75 which is awesome for professional photography shoots, but I reckon this video has given me the confidence to take this little guy with me. It’s so portable and also makes an expensive camera look a little less extravagant, which I think will be good when trying to get portraits in remote places! Nice work dude! Respect from LDN town 😎
There is a good reason for the 40.5mm filter threads. The Sony 16-50 kit lens comes with 40.5mm threads, so any adapters/hood mounts purchased for the kit lens will work with this. I have a Fotodiox reversible hood/mount setup that also gives me 52mm threads on the mount. It cost me like $12, and I liked it so much on the kit lens from my a6400 that I picked up another one for the kit lens that came with the NEX-5r I just snagged off eBay. As long as it works on this l be when it comes in tomorrow, I’ll be ordering another unit for it as well. It will let me adapt this l me to take the same magnetic filters I have for my other two lenses.
I'd like 2 things here to add: 1) the Lens came to life into Fall/Winter 2017, so it's not "old" into that term, we're just into Beginning of March, 2020, gosh! 2) Samyang is constantly improving the Firmware, current Version, as of writing here is Firmware v05, and be sure, to flash that into your little 35/2.8 AF FE Sammy, with the Lens Station, cost is some ~40 bucks.
Just ordered the 24mm, might have to pick this one up too!
Great lens for the money
Love this little guy... turns my full-frame into a crop-sized rig.
Good for landscape
love the format of your reviews - comprehensive but concise . One of the best reviewers on RUclips.
I have sony 85mm and the 24mm native sony lens.... i might have to get this one too for my Sony A7! Thank you!
Happy to help!
I was thinking of this lens for street. Wondering if you will get the chance to try the new Tamron primes?
Awesome street lens. I'm hoping so!
Hi Stefan. I have a question. Why should someone choose a 35 2.8 over a 35 1.4, other than cost and size?
Cost and size. 😁
Thanks for a good review. Adding the fact that this is a full-frame lens would be even better.
nicely made review buddy!
Thx for sharing fantastic review.
Do you prefer this lens to the samyang 45mm f1.8
Different beast. I'm doing a review on the 45 as we speak! Keep an eye out.
@@StefanMalloch Thanks for all these reviews, and definitely looking forward to the 45
Cant wait for this review!
Docking station for firmware updates is not really that big deal... The docking station look like a hockey puck you attach the USB cable to and then mount your lens on... Why I do not consider it to be that big of a deal is because it works with all Samyang (rokinon) lenses with the same mount. And because they do make lenses that are crazy good value for your money... Don't be surprised to find more than one of their lenses in your collection.
I can't imagine choosing this over the spectacular Sony 35/2.8 Zeiss, but it seems like a decent lens.
It's 3 times the price of the Samyang. Almost like comparing a Ferrari to a Fiat Panda.
@@RNWLL Definitely not Ferrari vs Fiat. These are a couple of Hondas, at best.
It's not 3x. And no one pays full retail for old Sony lenses. Can get one from MPB or KEH with 6 month policy for around $300. Aaaand the Samyang needs the lens calibration hardware to even work with new bodies.
Sounds more like comparing a moped to a Honda.
Just ordered one for my first native e-mount lens. I have many quality A-mount lenses that I can use with an adapter, but no AF with video which is a bummer. $211 direct from Samyang with lens station.
The vignetting.... did you shoot with lens hood on or off? I suspect that the lens hood actually might be responsible for the vignetting.
Lens hood is ridicule but when you remove it you can place a 49mm diameter lenshood ( a little as a 28mm for example)
Solid review mate.
Here is my dilema: I own an Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for Sony E mount and I wonder if this lens Samyang 35mm f/2.8 could bring me something extra. Should I invest, or Tamron will do the job? Could you help me by making a comparison between Tamron f/2.8 and primes with f/2.8 in almost same focal range (24mm, 35mm, 45mm, 50mm, 85mm). Thank you!
I’m in this same spot. I find myself not bringing my Sony some places because of the Tamron’s size though. I feel like the Samyang 35 would just be ridiculously light and make it feel like a point and shoot for street/landscape whatever. Did you buy it? If so how did you like the change
Cracking lens very sharp and so small always in my kit bag
It's hard not to own this lens.
Great lens. The only thing I dislike is the vignetting.
How does it compare with the Zeiss 35mm 2.8 outside the obvious factors like brand and price? If budget is not a concern, what’s to consider?
Would you say this lens has good enough build quality to last for a while if I keep it in my laptop bag as a general purpose street photography lens? I take good care of my gear, but if this won't last, I might just upgrade to Zeiss and call it a day.
I've used a 50mm f/1.8 for the last couple years with photography and thinking about moving onto this lens; do you think its worth it?
Depends on what you shoot. What about the 55mm f1.8? Its a beast.
What is the body used during your tests and sample pictures? Do you use eyeAF feature?
which one is better, samyang 35mm 2.8 or the tamron 35mm 2.8
Depends on you. Tamron is sharper. Samyang might be better for you if you shoot video though
@@StefanMalloch Thank You, Photography in my priority... Do you also know which would be better for photography between the same tamron 35 2.8 and the samyang 35mm f1.8 ???
Is this sharper/better than the Sony 16mm f2.8?
The TV in the background is a bit too bright
Will autofocus work on sony a6000 with some adapter?
Great review, but I won't buy it. I would prefer SONY FE 35mm F1.8.
Thanks Richard. The Sony is awesome but much more expensive!
hi.I have a a7iii.I want to buy Samyang 35 mm f/2.8t u like autofocus(speed).I'm videographer.
??
Can i use this lens on my sony a7ii? Thanks
Yes, any emount body.
Thank you. Is this lens like a plug and play or do i need to update my camera? Sorry for this question because i just bought my sony a7ii yesterday and i don’t have any experience about photography, i just wanna learn.
Hi! Thanks for the review! I have a6300. In order to buy it do I need to buy the new firmware? how do I do this? Could you please advise? Thanks a lot
I recommend buying the firmware dock with the lens for best results.
Since early 2018, my fave Lens onto my A7. Optically, it's 90-95% of the Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 ZA, but for just 20O EUR nowadays, a steal ! Running latest Firmware, it's fast AF, barely audible, and delivers great Results. Build Quality is "aluminium housing" as Samyang says, with that plastic Focus Ring. "a few years old" is funny, it was released into Fall 2017, so at time of the review, barely 2 years old...a few years means around 5~10.... ;) Lens Station is just 50 bucks, Guys, get a Life ! You can update every Samyang AF Lens with it, so it's a great deal. Only Cheapskates moan about it...but when you use a Fullframe System and Lenses, 50 Bucks ya know, is some kinda joke ! :)
I don’t know if I have a bad copy, or I’m spoiled with good prosumer lenses, but even the Sony 24-105 is way better at 35mm than this toy. It’s sharp, but always has ghosting and fringing. And unlike a Zeiss that also does that, it’s not pleasant ;) .
I had a 50 dollar amazon gift card sitting around. I was able to buy this lens brand new for less than 200 bucks.
Bokeh..im in!!!
The mount is plastic