Are the Samyang Cine V-AF Lenses really for filmmakers? [Honest Review]

My honest review of Samyang Cine V-AF Lenses (24mm, 35mm, 75mm) for filmmakers. Tested on a gimbal & handheld, AF and MF. Get the lenses:
24mm: geni.us/samyangvaf24mm
35mm: geni.us/samyangvaf35mm
45mm: geni.us/samyangvaf45mm
75mm: geni.us/samyangvaf75mm
100mm: geni.us/samyangvaf100mm
Lens Station: geni.us/samyanglensstation
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===========================
0:00 Intro
1:10 Why Matched Lenses?
1:44 Using V-AF Lenses on a Gimbal
3:30 Matching the Look Between Lenses
3:51 Test Footage
4:53 Autofocus Test
7:26 Manual Focus Test
9:10 Final Thoughts
10:51 Unscripted Studio - My online film school
#filmmaking #samyang #lens #cine

[@926km]

Subscribed to your channel after seeing one of your beautiful cinematic video test with Vivo X80 Pro. But wow... didn't know your review video can be so outstanding! Clear, concise, straight to the points with some key insights. In this case, I found your intuitive demos about the gimbal setup, AF comparisons, and manual focus to be exactly what I want to know about these cine lenses. Please keep us posted with first hand updates on 20mm and anamorphic adapter!

[@v3zMedia]

Loving the image quality from these.

[@DigitalGenki]

I've been waiting for cine AF lenses 🙃 thank you for the video

[@surrealmedia]

Can anybody confirm if these are working with the FX6? I have their 50mm 1.4 II and 85 1.4 II and the AF doesn't work at all on the FX6.

[@sunsonstudio]

Thanks! Very helpful review

[@jasoncoffee]

The Sony lenses are so crisp and buttery. Love ‘em! (In the autofocus test) The Samyang lenses seem softer.

[@flol3266]

But could be a good thing though in filmmaking. I liked the look more.

[@drdj2626]

just change words, my friend. instead of "softer", think about it as "character" and there you go.

[@TastyPrism]

crisp? yes... buttery? not

[@jasoncoffee]

@@TastyPrism crisp focus, buttery bokeh on the GM lenses.

[@auxsom]

What Sony lenses are you referring to exactly?

[@Framesbyfrisby]

Great video definitely helps me in my buying decisions

[@ankera7460]

nice review Brandon!

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Cool! Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@Obriezy]

Hi Brandon, dope video I’m looking to get these lenses but I wanted to know what’s the filter thread on these lenses and can I use them with my 77mm pro mist filter and ND filter? Just trying what would be the best work around for this lens

[@IrfanKhokharFilms]

great review bro!

[@lymerance]

Bro amazing work. Where did you get the background music you played during AF in the house?

[@zactrieu]

Great video Brandon! Tbh it feels weird watching him walk normally when hes not doing his ninja walk/run 😂

[@blaspayri]

the image from these samyang cine lenses is quite beautiful. One of the drawbacks, in my opinion, of the Sony AF is that it moves by steps, and you can see the out-of-focus areas changing their bokeh by steps. It seems that the Samyang lenses have less of this issue, in my opinion, maybe as they are slower, and therefore yield a more fluid focusing.

[@EDDY69]

Some Sony cameras you can adjust the focus transition speed, subject shift sensitivity, face and eye af and right and left eye. Some have breathing compensation too. Hopefully technology keeps improving!

[@joeumali7375]

@@EDDY69 breathing compensation only on sony lenses

[@nightdonutstudio]

You can adjust the transition speed in camera, lens from different brand are tuned differently by default. If you find sony lens jerky in transition, try lower the speed, it should be able to match the behavior of samyang lens.

[@shawnfoodfever]

thanks for great sharing 😍😍

[@bladgarmo2307]

lo que me interesaria saber es que si con estos lentes samyang se activa la funcion de enfoque al ojo o el enfoque al ojo es solo para las lentes de sony?

[@takeone22]

That was a really honest review. Thank you! Brandon, in case you’re reading this, there is a new lens on the market called the Viltrox 16mm F / 1.8. It’s priced at $600, which doesn’t make sense. Seeing from you another review like this one, on the Viltrox lens would be very interesting.

[@MoonProds]

He just talked extensively about this lens on his previous video in case you missed it :)

[@daveyking]

Hey, there i am behind the kid 9:55 . Finally made it on Brandon Video. 👍

[@crjcostomo]

Amazing lenses!

[@Batubacaksizzz]

excellent video. got me wanting to throw money at the lens set. sadly im way too invested in RF lenses :(

[@no_plan_B]

Dear Brandon, Just 2 questions: 1st: Did you replace a7siii by a7iv? 2nd: I see focus breathing in your tests with these cine lenses. Is this correct or am I having a wrong impression? Thanks

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

They have focus breathing. I use two cameras

[@miguelberns]

Thats it. Will sell my other lenses and shift to this. But i would like to try first the 35mm for i already have 24gm and sigma 85. Planning to sell the 85 for 75 v af

[@ShahramFarshid]

Thanks brandon li

[@smdvisionphotography]

Next time you come NYC. lmk. Take you my favorite Thai restaurant. Chop it up.

[@ickn6953]

请问您镜头前面的那个磁吸滤镜是在哪里购买呢，有没有链接发一下谢谢，我是中国的粉丝一直关注您 Excuse me, where did you buy the magnetic filter in front of your lens? Is there a link? Thank you. I am a fan of China and have been following you

[@nyambe]

they look fantastic

[@shaunashleychin]

Heya Brandon! Thanks for the video! I'm seriously considering getting the 35mm one. Do you reckon this is better overall compared to the Sony 35mm F1.8 in terms of auto-focus and focus breathing?

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

The Samyang lenses are not better in either regard. Their breathing is about the same as average photo lenses. And the AF is noticeably worse. I just like them because they’re the same size, so they balance easily on a gimbal.

[@shaunashleychin]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted Thank you so much for the reply! Ahh I guess I'll be sticking to waiting for the 35 gm2 whenever it may be haha. I'm using the A7siii so with a lens that heavily focus breathes...I'd probably pull my hair out.

[@FlorinBlaga]

What filter and adapter did you use?

[@petrub27]

he shoots with tight focal lenghts, wearing boots. I start to believe the ninja walk is a myth

[@Guttz_ShoTit]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@bottledwaterprod]

Ninja walk can be done in boots. Hell I've seen it done in high heels. Honestly I just recommend wearing whatever you're personally most sure-footed in. I never wear new shoes for video work because I'll inevitably trip at some point.😅

[@louinekay]

Hi, what kind of magnetic filter are you using? Thank you.

[@user-nn7wx9ls4h]

I also just try for those lens, incredible color performance and light weight! Most important thing is all is Cine autofocus lens!😂 The lens quite suitable bring it for travel, also very compact and easy when using gimbal.😎

[@herokme0]

which magnetic filters are you using?

[@biskero]

would these lens a good fit for the new BMPCC full frame 6k? I do not think are L mount so I would need an adapter

[@blackbugmedia]

6:16 I suspect the reason he used f/3.2 is because Rokinon tends to have severe chromatic aberration wide open. You would see green fringing on the windows. I wish I’m wrong about that, cuz these lenses seemed to be promising.

[@claudio6032]

OMG anamorphic with Autofocus! My dream!

[@miguelberns]

I told my self i’ll not watch this review bec i dont have money to buy a new lens, and now im thinking what to sell to get me one of these lenses, but personally i would like to buy the 45 if it is already available. Thank you for the always awesome video brandon

[@antonius6302]

hi mr. Li, when will you test the Samyang V-AF Anamorphic adapter for us?

[@ventureanticapitalist]

Do you have luts? How did you grade this is it more than just color correction?

[@Deep-Travel]

When will the new material be available in unscripted studio ?

[@likelovehahawow]

Thanks for the thorough review, it definitely let me rule these out of consideration and that is valuable. I don’t think any lens with a variable throw should ever call itself a cine lens - No professional would tolerate that in a real shooting environment. Any lens that is focus by wire is just a non starter for manual pulls. Btw, how long a throw (roughly since it isn’t constant) does it feel like it has? On fast pulls? On slow pulls? I’m curious what the degree difference would be

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

It’s a 300 degree throw, so it feels quite long.

[@likelovehahawow]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted that was always the big problem with the samyang/rokinon budget cines - the throw was tiny. So at least that’s an improvement. Maybe they can fix it and make it constant with a firmware update. That would definitely take it from a non-contender to a contender. Hope they read this

[@JayGilmourMedia]

@@likelovehahawow The manual focus adapter has hard stops and exact positions. I think having an exact throw without the adapter is just an physics issue unfortunately.

[@kimsperling]

I think the "naked" lenses are primarily for autofocus use. If you want to have repeatable and precise manual focus you should use the adapter. That is why they made it. I think this is a fair solution with the plus of being able to use the focus ring on the lens for changing the aperture. The price for the adapter is a little bit steep though.

[@KingJamison]

I'm very glad I saw this video especially because of that manual focus test. But I'd love an update with the manual ring accessory to see if it has any of the same issues

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

The manual adapter will have a truly linear response, but you must use the focus ring on the adapter instead of the lens focus ring. And you cannot use filters, only matte box.

[@johnlocke3481]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted I can't even see how a matte box would work, because it doesn't seem like it has enough surface to attach to on that Faux pedal hood without grabbing some of the focus ring and restricting manual focusing.

[@rajeshchoubey435]

Can I make best quality feature film for theater of this lens and sony fx30 camera ?

[@guerrerosdigitales]

What picture profile?

[@LeonardoAnchisi]

Did you got them with rubber or plastic lens caps? Because I bought all four of them and two came with plastic lens caps, which are loosing plastic snippets every time you cover the lens and it's so annoying.

[@budscreator2970]

which better samyang 50 F1.4 mark ii or Samyang cine v-AF 45 mm T1.9 ?

[@AvijitDharPhotography]

Can I attach Haida Pro II VND + CPL Filter in to Samayang VAF Cine Lenses? Please Reply Sir.

[@nathanpresley3564]

Which tony 85mm 1.8 were you using? The GM? or

[@Thiccwaifusinc]

kinda wish the 20mm that they're going to release was 18mm but hyped for it nonetheless

[@keimmatteocamarda9263]

What Is the filter dyameter?

[@JayGilmourMedia]

The manual focus adapter is seriously accurate as you would find in actual cine lenses. They have missed a massive point of having a thread for filters though, there is certainly room for it, I'm a global ambassador for Samyang and its the biggest thing I fed back to them. I do love these lenses and feel they are a great gateway to "proper" cine lenses.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

Oh so with the manual adapter it doesn’t have the fly by wire errors anymore? Good to know. However I do need to mount a VND and I won’t use a matte box on a gimbal.

[@surrealmedia]

@JayGilmourMedia Can you test these with Sony FX6? I have their 50mm 1.4 II and 85 1.4 II and the AF doesn't work at all on the FX6. Waiting for a firmware update for ages and will sell them soon if it doesn't come out.

[@JayGilmourMedia]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted yeah I'm using it with a tilta matte box on my rig so doesn't bother me. They totally missed it not adding a filter thread.

[@JayGilmourMedia]

@@surrealmedia I don't have a fx6 to test sorry. I think there was an firmware for the v-afs for the fx6 though? I'm not sure.

[@kimsperling]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted You could probably go with the tilta mirage filter holder that works without the rest of the matte box.

[@ricardogomes4094]

Which ND Filter / Adapter are you using?

[@ankera7460]

wow!!

[@user-eg5ne9pi6n]

Sir explain the nd filter size and detail samyang v af 1.9 cine lena

[@joeumali7375]

@3:51 where'd you get the track?

[@kunalchobiwala]

Image stabilization can walk with this lens?

[@muhammedhadi.a.t2624]

is this usable for photography?

[@shrayansaha1145]

Can you please name the filter detail???

[@rudolphlagarrigue5072]

Always this inaccurate fly by wire lenses for manual focus.... so i prefer keep my batis serie 25 40 85 thank you Brandon for this honest review.

[@hellfirepb6835]

What is the size of the nd filter?

[@Kayserjp]

nice and handy. but the focus breathing is crazy.....

[@AKR_DIRECTS]

Can i use these for sony zv e10

[@najimkhanphotography]

Please Brother tell the filter name Which company filter ???

[@Tryptophan1]

anyone using the lenses with Ronin RS2? I have the problem that I cannot pull focus of the 24mm lens with the focus wheel of the gimbal. This is no issue with the 75mm though

[@thelefthandofcreation1617]

These really seem like something that Samyang/Rokinon will have to either commit to dumping a few years of money and firmware updates into developing a cohesive ecosystem with useful accessories utilizing those front contacts before seeing a solid return, or just cut bait at some point this year and call it a failed experiment. I hope they take the former route and clean up that autofocus, as there is a good idea at the heart of this line.

[@armanspecial5664]

Which focus will be good for wedding cinematography? There is no problem in hunting, the focus is good, isn't it?

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

The focus loses the subject a bit more than the Sony lenses. I found it maybe 15% less reliable.

[@johnlocke3481]

damn. I’m never going to find a lens strategy at this point. Was about to buy this set and now I know manual focus doesn’t work well…womp womp…

[@SteveWB]

You are what we used to love about Peter Mckinnon!

[@bravosramirez1405]

where do I get the filter? 😢

[@luisdeltoro1]

Hey Brandon, can former students from Unscripted Studio access the new video lessons? I can’t seem to find them on my dashboard but there’s a chance I’m not looking at the right places. Thank you.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

It depends on your membership type, you can message [e-mail] if you have any issues with access!

[@MG-gs4zc]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted Hi Brandon I'm a former student too. I sent an email days ago but no reply yet.

[@lewisoninc]

Wow Sony lenses focus way better and stabe works so much better handheld. :o

[@paulgero]

Brandon, any upgrades via firmware to fix the MF issues?

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

As far as I know, you can’t fix fly by wire behavior with firmware. Need a physical solution, hence the manual focus adapter.

[@paulgero]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted thanks Brandon!!

[@dfilms241]

Nice lens

[@user-sp6ht9rq8d]

i SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANT TO KNOW;) IN WHICH FILTER MAGNETIC DO YOU USE?

[@balboskey22]

Do they have it in EF mount?

[@JayGilmourMedia]

No just sony

[@SimeonKolev]

The biggest problem for me is the Active Stabilization - it works fine only with Sony lenses... I like the 24 1.8 and the 50 1.4 II by Samyang but the Active stabe works worse on them than on a Sony branded lens.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

I haven’t noticed a difference, but maybe I just haven’t tested active stabilization enough on these lenses

[@SimeonKolev]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted I tested the Samyang 24 1.8 and 50 1.4 II against 24 GM and 50 GM on two A7IVs mounted on a rail in order to get the same shake on both cameras and really see the difference between Sony and not a Sony lens. With Sony lens Active stabe is very close to the gyro stabilization in post. Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, Viltrox... any lens not made by Sony is worse with Active stabe and the same applies to the new Dynamic Stabe in the new Sony cameras - it works only with Sony glass. Gyro Stabilization is the same no matter the lens, I also found a way to use it with manual lenses without electronic contacts.

[@SimeonKolev]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6G4mnVvapedsKc

[@sakshamchaudhary4877]

Anyone here facing Focus hunting and focus out while shooting speed & movements with the 24mm lens. I'm facing a horrible issue that my lens always lost it's focus while there are multiple movements in my frames and it focus out all the way and takes atleast 6 seconds to gain the focus again.

[@austinbrooksproductions]

I get the feeling these are the same photo lens optics recycled from their other lenses. I was really excited for these at first but I would just use a 24-70 and call it a day if I’m gonna use photo glass

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

24-70 lenses are big and heavy though. I would only use one if I was doing very conservative movements with the gimbal.

[@austinbrooksproductions]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted was thinking either the new GM ii or the tamron!

[@alphafilms_at]

tamron 28-75 IIworks great for me

[@austinbrooksproductions]

@@alphafilms_at got a video on my channel about how much I love that lens. Can’t beat the weight

[@rhalfik]

3:35 I can tell 24mm has different sound than 35.

[@frozenflame1962]

how this lens performs for stills??

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

I only shoot video, but I think they’re fine for stills. They’re basically photo lenses in a different housing

[@flol3266]

Which filter size do you use normally? I am so torn apart about which size to choose.

[@JayGilmourMedia]

82mm then get set down rings to 58mm on these lenses specifically

[@flol3266]

@@JayGilmourMedia thank you so much. This helped a lot. I was already thinking about something like that and you confirmed it like a pro. Thanks for taking the time answering me with such a big channel!

[@fredriksvard2603]

This makes me want to sell my sigma 85mm and buy the samyang 75. Damn that’s beautiful.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

These Samyang lenses aren’t technically the most perfect but they do have some nice character

[@mattduncan5500]

i dont see anything too bananas , ppl in comments seem to be hyped. i feel like a standard say 50mm and a Cine-lut, you're getting a pretty similar result

[@rikomendes3694]

Are there big differences between samyang 35mm f1.8 a-f fe and samyang 35mm f1.8 t1.9 v-af?

[@sentralent1850]

I thought they also have a 20mm lens.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

B&H did not have 20mm in stock yet

[@sentralent1850]

@@BrandonLiUnscripted Thank you!

[@flochfitness]

Honest question: what makes a lens a cine lens?

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

Matched lens set, standard focus throw, clickless aperture, t-stops, low breathing

[@randywolf263]

No one gonna address the sign in the back at 6:45?

[@renehinojosa1962]

At $9.99 I wonder what stuff is on there! LOL

[@orangerecords_studio]

thx. learn a lto from Breandon. ....but, now, lately, the sound is diffenrent , it sound more " sharp" and direct, now so round and comfortable, And you talk faster, adn then the videos, feel more !stressed". :) ok, just my opinion . regards .

[@williamsolis1]

They were a great idea but executed....ok.

[@user-wq3rs9pf1w]

Might sound stupid but now are you putting filters on these as nothing wants to screw into mine!

[@BLUETICK.1M]

First😂🎉🎉

[@dee-deeoverton1300]

Second!!😂😂😊

[@NAIVEBOYANDY]

your house is pretty big lol

[@tonysluna]

I love these Lens.. and I usually like your Videos.. but I have one Problem... Manual Focus Test... Come on.. you was doing "Really Really" Unrealistic Manual Focus Changes... I have Never seen Manual Focus So Fast Not even half as fast as you did in your test.. it seems you was in Shanghai, China... I live here.. would have loved to Shadow you around. lol

[@thatchinaboi1]

Focus breathing ruins these lenses.

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

I’ve been using them every day for 2 years. For my needs the breathing hasn’t been an issue

[@johnlocke3481]

There is no way you can even use a matte box with that. Man these were close, but honestly a bit retarded in the end: -can't use filters -can't use matte box -bad focus breathing -cant manual focus repeatably Literally the top four things you want for cine, these don't have....

[@BrandonLiUnscripted]

I just use them because they’re matched, f1.8, and have built in focus gears. But they are essentially rehoused photo lenses.

[@colourberry]

Your audio is so bad. Way too loud