Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8 FE lens review with samples

[@jd3330]

Another great video! Would love to see comparisons between Sigma, Samyang, Tamron, and Sony’s “24-70mm f/2.8” or midrange lenses!

[@hiawrj]

Thank you for adding AF-C into your tests, that makes them wonderfully comparable to the other brands.

[@paiman_]

I've had it for a year now on my A7iii. I do mainly street photography but sometimes video too, also used it for weddings. It's a fantastic lens. Sharp throughout the range, controlled Chromatic Abberation, fast autofocus and beautiful bokeh. The only downside for me is the weight. It's build like a tank (its a beast of a lens) but I generally like smaller & lighter lenses (personal preference) although you do forget about the weight while using it. Not ideal for long days of photoshoots but it's the only downside I can think of. If you don't mind a bit of weight, it's a fantastic lens. Buy it! I'm hoping they bring out a smaller & lighter mark ii version of this lens with better image quality (it's a bonus but still, nothing is perfect. Can never have too much good image quality) and similar price to this. I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[@Tacomaholic]

Recently grabbed Sigma's 24-70 F2.8 Art lens and absolutely love it.

[@AsceticFocus]

What made you decide to go for the Sigma? After weeks of research, I may well be going the same way...

[@Tacomaholic]

@@AsceticFocus I own Sigma's mirrorless lens trio for the Canon EF-M mount and was really impressed with the quality. This Sigma 24-70 was my first experience with their top of the line "Art" series and it's hard to beat the quality for the price.

[@KevinPaulBell]

Awesome to hear you love South Korea. It’s a great country with great people, food and lenses! Been here nearly five-years and loving it!

[@별다리-l2k]

Thanks for another reliable review. Despite some weaknesses, I think it is a good start for Samyang extending their line-up to zoom. Anyway, your Korean prounciation is still exact. You will always be welcome to Korea!

[@theizza68]

Great review! I can't wait to see the review of their 135mm f1.8. I'm very interested in that one.

[@Reloaded20]

I had the Samyang 24-70mm for a couple days but already sold it, because I wasn’t happy with the overall performance. But I also own the new AF 135mm F1.8 and this lens is a beast - great performance for this price and very comfortable to work with because of its size and weight. I can definitely recommend that 135mm 👍

[@Maleastoudis11]

Im here for the 24-70 but I'm owner of a 135mm f1.8 and YES this is a fantastic lens. I still keep my sony 85mm (great lens as well) only for small locations otherwise 80% I will use the 135mm

[@martin9410]

My favorite reviewer. Another great review. I mostly watch you and Abbot

[@EMHMarkIX]

Bought this one few days ago. Psedo-parafocal feature is strange but from what i've noticed, when focused at 70mm it stays in focus all the way down to 24mm when you zooming out - didn't really saw any microadjustments made by a lens itself. For some weird reasons, it doesn't work other way around - when focusing at it's widest and then zooming in, software kicks in and you can clearly see lens desperately trying to keep up, which is annoying. Maybe the update will speed up this process but it really shouldn't be the case. As you have pointed out, it is unusual for Samyang to advertise the feature that is only partially implemented. I have been waiting and nervously checking for your review of this piece for a long time to finally decide on my next purchase. It has been a coin flip to be honest - Sigma or Samyang (my apologies to Tamron users as i've never considered it, i just don't like lightweight lenses). Sigmas are great, 50mm 1.4 and 105mm 2.8 Macro are fantastic pieces of glass, well even my old APS-C 60mm 2.8 still lands on my camera from time to time. The tables have turned when desperately needed 85mm, Sony's own was unavailable, Sigma was a little pricey monstrosity (even considered taking a loan to get this one) so in the spur of a moment i went for Samyang's 85mm 1.4 and i absolutely adore it. The image quality at this price point is simply unbelievable and this was one of the factors that made me buy theirs new 24-70. Was it a mistake? Don't know yet, the time will tell but so far i'm more than happy with the results. Thanks for the review, little late from my point of view, but it is always nice to watch your videos.

[@impaledstudios1772]

How's the samyang 24-70 serving you? I am stuck between the samyang and tamron. The lightness of the tamron makes a great case for gimbal usage.

[@matt_pang]

@@impaledstudios1772 which one did you get? Samyang and rokinon are the same company just different names in different regions and I saw the horrible reviews of the rokinon 24-70mm f2.8 with the base breaking off. If you did get the Samyang, have you had any problems?

[@impaledstudios1772]

@@matt_pang i actually didn't get the samyang and stuck with lens i have already. The samyang is simply too heavy for gimbal usage 😅. Tamron 28-75 is much more suitable for that usage.

[@hedydd2]

The Tamron 28-75 VXD G2 is slightly cheaper and a significantly better lens in many ways while the older RXD version, still commonly available is about £250 cheaper. The Sigma 24-70 Contemporary also undercuts the Samyang on price. It's notable that no other brand was mentioned as a competitive alternative at a similar price point.

[@frankluo230]

Significantly better is an overstatement.

[@Reloaded20]

The Sigma Contemporary is 28-70mm, the 24-70mm is the more expensive Art lens. Significantly better is definitely wrong, but I agree that the Samyang is too expensive for that image quality - especially the CA’s are horrible. If 24mm is important I would definitely go with the Sigma 24-70mm DG DN Art. If 28mm are fine, then get the Tamron G2 or the Sigma 28-70mm Contemporary.

[@frankluo230]

@@Reloaded20 out of 28 starting zooms, go Sigma cont as it is lighter. Out of 24mm starting zooms, Sigma Art is better than Samyang. Tamron G2 is a fine lens but today's competition is much more fierce than when G1 launched 4yr ago. Personally I don't like standard zoom, esp now 35-150 can cover 95% usage, a UWA zoom makes more sense to pair with it.

[@Reloaded20]

@@frankluo230 Well, the 35-150mm is great but it’s heavy and big. I definitely prefer my prime lenses over my Sigma 24-70mm, but for holiday trips with light equipment the 24-70 is a good choice. Or when I’m taking my camera to a mountain hike - the 35-150mm would be way to heavy for a hike and 3-4 different prime lenses would be annoying in such a situation. But as an everyday zoom lens when size and weight isn’t that important the 35-150mm is epic for sure.

[@frankluo230]

@@Reloaded20 not to distract from this video topic, but 35-150 is not that big and heavy if longer than 100mm is needed. Any 24-70 plus a mid tele prime or 70-200 zoom will be over the weight of 35-150. Hiking is a hard one but landscape tele primes like 135mm F2.8 180mmf4 200mmF4 are getting rarer.

[@p382742937423y4]

Thanks Christopher, your videos are my goto vids when i want to buy a lens.

[@daveinportland]

I just found your Revelation series. It's fantastic. Thanks.

[@eivinstens6091]

Despite the measurable flaws, I find Samyang lenses produce amazing images.

[@eviltango]

Nice! I’d love to see more manufacturers take on big name brands. Praying that Tamron will release more primes for E-mount

[@errantseed]

it was a really good lens for the short time that I had it- was a bit heavy though- but I liked it a lot. image quality and lens performance were excellent... however, there are two really huge problems with it: first, is that the mounting plate is screwed into four small plastic posts- this is all that is holding your lens onto your camera. so let's say you trip and fall and you bang your lens on the ground (which I've done with my sony 28-70mm kit lens- but it still works perfectly), or if your tripod with your camera falls, as mine did, the plastic posts will simply break on impact and your lens will just snap straight off your camera. the second problem is trying to get that repaired. it will not go well because repair shops cannot get any parts for your lens, and Samyang has only one location in the US to fix the things covered by their warranty... so ultimately you'll learn that you've bought a $1000 disposable lens... a real shame because I would have easily replaced it with another. Instead, though I'm gonna miss the 4mm on the wide end, I got the Tamron.

[@keyvisual9743]

FO same review... You work for tamron?

[@catalin-ap]

Samyang make the heaviest and cheapest 24-70 f/2.8 for Sony FE, as well as the sharpest, lightest and cheapest 135mm f/1.8.

[@huyked]

3:52 Parfocal? Thank you for answering that question. 2:01 Thank you for the footage examples.

[@Nvrm1nd_89]

Thanks for review. Waiting Samyang 135mm f1.8 review :)

[@jaegerschtulmann]

Ah just what I needed, a new review from CF to make me sleep like a rock.....nighty, night!

[@QuietOC]

FWIW: some of those old Samyang zooms in the left side of that display case are AF zooms for Minolta Alpha cameras.

[@drtod]

Do you feel Samyang over the years has been focusing more on quality and upscale their products/brand going forward? It feels like as a brand, they are on the doorstop of Tamron and Sigma competing for the 3rd party lens market.

[@benjamindover4337]

They should focus on their niche as small, super light and high value. That's what differentiates them from the crowd.

[@rodrigokobayashi_]

I just sold my Sigma ART 24-70mm F/2.8 DG DN... Absolutely amazing optics, but a great dust collector. This fact made me quite upset, in a lens of that level. I'm considering buying this Samyang lens, thanks for the video!

[@fjzm9992]

Did you have your lens updated by your local Sigma repair service?. Did it solve the problem?

[@hans6304]

I heard that with serial numbers starting from 56 upwards that Sigma has upgraded their weather sealing. Do you remember which serial number did you have?

[@SunnySoCal]

i believe what’ll hold samyang back is the price point it’s in between so many lenses that imo offer more for instance the sigma 24-70mm f2.8 art is $100 more that’s a no brainer & the much cheaper sigma & tamron 28-70/28-75mm are also great

[@alfoutdoors9660]

Hi Chris, just wondering why you haven't reviewed the new Samyang 35-150mm f2-f2.8 yet? I am also waiting for you to compare it with the Tamron. Other reviewers have already said the Samyang is better than the Tamron, but you are the reviewer I always go by over any other.

[@rhodriholloway7585]

Great video and great shots of Cardiff 👌👌

[@Kaneda0015]

Did Samyang fixed the mounting issue? A lot of people complaining that the mount just broke off just a few months of used.

[@DanielConstant00]

I really like this lens but it’s heavy so strongly considering swapping it for the Tamron 28-75

[@pzark3638]

Fantastic review as always

[@CaptureWithChris]

Thanks for making the video, I am thinking of getting this for my A7iii.

[@benjamindover4337]

How about a 50-135 instead of yet another 24-70, which doesn't really cover the portrait range well. Nor does 70-200. Tamrons 35-150 is a step in the right direction, but a bit too much.

[@professionalpotato4764]

And a 20-50. A better hybrid lens for general walkaround or single lens for travel, and a 50-135 would be a better portrait zoom like you said.

[@acouragefann]

I've read on a couple of reviews that it does achieve parfocality when setting focus at 70mm and then zooming in and out oddly enough, but that it won't if you focus "start" at 24mm.

[@Wabajak13]

I wonder if the elements move in different orders depending on which direction you're zooming?

[@estoylisto]

I guess Samyang will rely on their fan base to get this lens sold ... it performs comparable to tamron/Sigma 24-70 2.8 that was released for DSLR (yet the competition still have the advantages of: 1- can be used by both DSLR or adapted to mirrorless 2- can be found used for extra saving 3- Available for Nikon/Canon users and can be adapted to any mirrorless system The new Sigma DG DN shows better performance for same price range... If Tamron released their mirrorless version is expected to be also sharper than this lens (based on the 28-75 g2 performance) ... still knowing that a new compatitor is on the market is always a good news ... they should try to release this lens to RF mount before Sigma/Tamron release their lenses there

[@박성준-m5v]

Great lens. nice Galbi and Budeajjigea too.

[@coltoncyr2283]

Wow $1000. That's really good. That purple fringe is crazy though! Even at f11 it's still very visible. This is a great option for most people who can use a zoom for versatility. But for a Job, I would still lean at Primes.

[@lukasf5256]

When are we going to see the review of the Tamron 35-150?

[@5426MM]

Hi Chris Can you please tell me which 24-70 you recommend for a Canon R6ii please. I have gone through all your reviews but I believe you have not done a 'Best-Off' for these lenses Happy to use and EF-RF adapter

[@wilismatrix9847]

it would be great of you make a comparaison with the tameron, sony and sigma competitors

[@TimothyAus10]

Seems like Samyang has been stepping up their game based on recent releases. But in looking at this zoom for the price, it seems like the sigma art might be a better option for stills photography, thoughts?

[@Reloaded20]

The Sigma is clearly better. If you consider buying the Sigma or the Samyang I would definitely go with the Sigma. The Samyang‘s performance isn’t that good for that price in my opinion.

[@julianhager1826]

i think that the sigma is the better version, because i also looked it up and it's cheaper and the image quality is better too, and in my country (austria) it's "only" 300€ more expensive than the samyang, i personally would choose the sigma but the samyang really suprised me i have to say

[@HarrysonSalwani]

hey Chris please do a review for TAMRON 35-150mm F2.0/2.8 Lens for sony FE mount

[@littletedsplayschool2525]

Great lens Chris but priced wrong I think between this and Sigma etc you’d be hard pushed to buy it 500 and it would fly off the shelves

[@ccudjoe89]

Wouldn't you need to disable AF to test parfocality?

[@JessDemant]

Love yours test, thanks 👍

[@Donbros]

Thanks for showing cheating on parfocal lol XD i kinda expected that. Tbh kinda waiting for sony offer of similar range. Would love 24-70 f2 or 24-105 f2.8 or 28-135 f2.8 or at very least 24-70 f2.8 internally zoomed. Because just updated gm 1 is not enough tbh. I can do almost everything same with 16-35

[@AngryApple]

I want to know how it compares against the Sony Zeiss 24-70 f4 Im thinking of upgrading while selling the Sony, but the low weight of the Sony is so nice

[@dam1x92]

On 24mm looks very good, sharper than tamron 28-75mm. Howevere long end (70mm) have unacceptable problem with fringing ;/. Maybe they will fix it. Its cheaper than new tamron, wider, but much heavier + worse minimum focus distance on wide end.

[@martin9410]

I have the Tamron g2 and it is extremely sharp at the 28mm on my a7riii.

[@Jsoberon]

How old is that bottle of crystal Pepsi? Is it even the same one?

[@photovideooz4084]

sorry, but how do you achieve parfocal with other lens?

[@Darthmaller]

I have this lens but I'm having a problem with it. During video, the AF-C isn't focusing on anything for the most part and when it does focus, it holds focus for around 5 seconds before it slows focuses back out to infinity. This happens without me moving or touching the camera. I'm using Sony A7Sii in S-Log 3. Any suggestions why the focus isn't working with this lens?

[@TechnoBabble]

Probably because the A7S II has terrible autofocus and this lens isn't going to communicate as well as a native Sony lens, so even worse autofocus than normal.

[@miket2164]

The A7S2 AF is outdated nowdays... quite akin to 1st gen A7.

[@Microtonal_Cats]

These videos are great. I've learned a lot. And the guy talking sounds kind.

[@elreasstudioforcorporate783]

New sony 24-70 please.. Nice content I always check your video when i want to buy a new lens..

[@TIB1106EProductions]

I wish they also made zoom lenses for F mount

[@____mr_ikes____8556]

Please make sony 24 70 2.8 g master review

[@Joe-hm1zk]

That LOCA looked muy loca at 2.8! Haven't seen a video including a performance that bad in a hot minute!

[@judyjackson7321]

Useful review but I don't understand why anyone would run a lens test with 'in camera' compensation turned on, and even mention it. I know you're not the only person who does this, but this is a lens test, and the audience could be using any camera, so the test potentially becomes useless information. It might be good to at least have a quick look at the images straight, ie compensation off. Perhaps it's just me!

[@ΠαύλοςΤζαγκαράκης-κ7τ]

My lens when I zoom it’s changes aperture on it’s own, direct message from samyang told me that’s normal, does anyone else has this problem?

[@Reloaded20]

Didn’t like that lens at all, for me it was way too big, too heavy and the CA’s were not acceptable. It’s too expensive for what you get for in my opinion. I already sold it and I stick with my Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN - for me the best option. If 28mm is wide enough, I would go with the new Tamron 28-75mm G2 - for me personally 28mm isn’t wide enough for my landscape photography.

[@Jan-eh7nf]

You're silly.

[@Reloaded20]

@@Jan-eh7nf Thanks

[@josh6499]

I'm trying to compare your test side by side with the Sigma, but it looks like you've reprinted your test chart in the mean time. They don't look the same, so it's hard to make a comparison.

[@PanzerIV88]

Obviously again only for Sony mount... Canon are being such bullies and stubborn idiots for denying every third party brands to make lens for their new (RF) system. They even forced Samyang to stop making the 2-3 lens they already had. Glad I got my (Samyang 85mm F1.4) just in time before it disappears. As of now there is absolutely no other (24-70mm F2.8) than the RF from Canon which is way overpriced and 2x the price of the (Tamron G2) that's barely any better. Sure I have to use an adaptor and it's bulkier but hey I saved 50% and 1500$... If I knew how agressive Canon would had been I would have took a Sony A7 instead of a R6 when it came out.

[@guyjordan8201]

Price seems too high for its weaknesses but great to see Samyang expanding. No threat to Tamron... yet.

[@Jan-eh7nf]

Yeah but: metal build, weather seal, less vignetting and distortion than sigma art (not sure about gm) and less money even compare to 28-70-ish clusters. Sharpness worse but in video at 4k probably you'll not really notice.

[@mirko2481]

does it perform well on apsc?

[@williamsolis1]

For me the character of the lens is the selling factor. Same way the Canon lenses have a different look to Sony's lenses. I use the Tamron but the 28-75mm look is very....flat?

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

They're a 50 year old company?! Edit: I suppose that's not hard to believe, considering I'm almost 36.🤣

[@EXkurogane]

Very poor color fringing / CA performance by my standards. Not something I'd buy even for a grand, but considering this is samyang's first modern zoom lens, not a bad effort in other aspects.

[@AsceticFocus]

You see, I'm also not convinced. I keep comparing this to the Sigma 24mm - 70mm f2.8 DG DN Art lens and I have a feeling the Art is the one I should go for. I remember watching another review comparing the Samyang 50mm f1.4 against the Sony's 50mm f1.4 Planar lens and the Samyang image, when zoomed in wasn't clear (which really put me off...)

[@julian9898]

Wait. Where did you get that Crystal Pepsi?? 3:03 lol

[@summonedfist]

The bokeh/longitudinal CA is quite the deal breaker especially with DG DN copies popping up on the used market frequently.

[@strippedlist]

i was expecting to see this lens on crop sensor.... :(((

[@m-stat9]

Sigma is just around 100 bucks more, but a bit better and 20% lighter!

[@StymyParsley]

Ooh a Samsung zoom lens, that’s cool to see. I hope they make some AF lenses for Fuji like a 70mm lens or maybe an f/2 zoom.

[@quikee9195]

Samsung ? It's Samyang not Samsung

[@StymyParsley]

@@quikee9195 oop I think autocorrect changed it

[@user-ck9cw8fs5n]

Samyang forgot about us Canon users

[@AUS-NewbiTLorD]

Chris, I'm going to South Korea for 2 months in September with the wife to visit family, they're going to remove the Quarantine Requirements for travelling there. I'm going to be working remotely for 2 months for my Australian company haha.

[@philippeanglade7043]

If only they could make this one adapted to Nikon Z mount 😢

[@mohamadavakian]

Sony STF 100mm 🙏

[@chaipatti-f3b]

❤️ from India

[@familiedekuijper]

Too much color fringing to be usefull. The corner sharpness is maybe a little above average. Overall the Tamron 28-75 delivers much better quality

[@WallxTRY52]

Has anyone had this lens with a sony a7c?

[@GrandHuevotes]

Zooms are generally difficult to design compared to primes but there’s nothing inherently difficult about a 24-70 2.8. Especially for a small flange distance such as on mirrorless. What would be particularly difficult is a F2 zoom or an ultra wide zoom. A full frame 24-70 2.8 is run of the mill and there’s already countless great designs out there to model after.

[@kingtomas3]

갈비, 부대찌개!!

[@nh-ss5pw]

👍👍

[@coppliable]

Im so moist right now... oh Samyang

[@nickharrison211]

No reason to buy this over the sigma version

[@montazownianr1]

or nikon f4

[@6042833]

Through expensive image quality not very good.

[@SunnySoCal]

they might’ve shot they’re foot off in the price department $1,000 😬😬😬

[@hanglooserecluse]

Damn, no good for a gimbal

[@diegorivera2711]

50tiefirst!

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

WHY YOU TEST PHOTOS IN JPG MODE? NOBODY SHOOTS IN JPG.

[@pabloperez4569]

Sony needs a pro body (i.e. Nikon Z9 or EOS R3), with this lens the camera looks comically small🤣