Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony Alpha Blog posted its Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE review and called it an “Excellent lens at a very reasonable price. SAB even claims it is a little better than the Sony FE 135mm f1.8 GM. Below are some excerpts from the review and you can read the full review here.
- The Sony has a little edge in term of Bokeh ball when aperture is closed down but it is not a big difference.
- The Sony does better for sports for people, objects in fast motion as the Samyang can loose track of the subject more easily than the Sony. The Samyang is also limited to 8fps whereas the Sony can reach up to 30 fps with Sony A1
- The rendering of the Sony GM is also more gentle and subtle for skin tones with a little bit less micro contrast , the Samyang is a bit more punchy/crispy in term of rendering. On this criteria it is a matter of personal taste
Highly recommend
- Outstanding sharpness on the entire frame as of F1.8
- Excellent contrast
- Very Good AF for static subject or linear movements
- Smooth background blur
- Excellent color rendition
- Very good Bokeh balls
- Focusing ring that can become Clickless aperture ring
- Very good ergonomics
- Reasonnable price (950 euros)
- Light (can even be used on gimbal)
- Very Good build quality
- Moderate vignetting
- Very good min focusing distance
- Very good resistance to flare
- Very low CA
- Low distortion
Average
- Size (but in line with other 135mm F1.8)
- A little bit too sharp & contrasty for portraits for the taste of some people
- Drains battery fast
- Bokeh balls as of F4 no more circular
- AF limited yo 8fps (only Sony can reach 20/30 fps)
Cons
- AF in burst mode (for sports) not as efficient as the Sony GM for subjects changing directions
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