OL: Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE Review – Avoid If Using Above 24MP



Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE:

B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Samyang Lens Station:

B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Optical Limits published its full Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE review here which you can read in full or you can check out the excerpt below:

The Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE has its merits, but its resolution characteristic is, overall, sub-standard. This is especially true at the wide end, where the outer image field is just not sharp enough to compete with the big boys. Sure, it’s not terrible when stopping down, but what is the point of buying a f/2.8 lens then? It’s actually very good in the middle range, whereas the quality at 70mm is also not that hot again. This may still be OK on 24-megapixel sensors, but beyond that, it’s just not good enough. This is a bit unfortunate because the lens handles the secondary aspects rather well. The RAW image distortions are on a sane level, and the RAW vignetting is better than average. The quality of the bokeh is also quite good for a standard zoom lens. Lateral and axial CAs are a bit on the high side, though.

The mechanical quality of the Samyang lens is excellent (other than the poor lens hood) and on par with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 ART, for example. However, it is also way too heavy for what it is. The AF speed is very fast (on modern Sony bodies). The mechanical quality is one thing, but QA is another one… As you may have concluded, we are not overly impressed – overall, the Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE is just too heavy and too flawed.

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