Samyang 35-150mm AF 2-2.8

[NicoX]

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Hello,

Thank you for your reply. I'm probably going to get it online from Kamera Express in Belgium and test it indeed. I bought the Sigma 28-105 f2.8 a few days ago and whilst I have no real gripes with it, I think the Samyang would just deliver a bit more for me (on paper at least), for a little less money while we're at it.

I'm happy your experience with the SL2 has been, it would seem, very positive. I do wonder, however, if the hybrid autofocus system of the SL3, that combines contrast-detection with phase-detection autofocus, might be messing with this lens specifically, as Michele seemed to experience.

Judging by the pictures shown, the copy SimonV tested seemed downright garbage. 

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[goodbokeh]

Well Simon's lens that was tested was used so I guess you will be the arbiter on how a new 35-150 IQ is with the SL3. With many of these reviews keep in mind it could be the lens, the camera body, or the user that is the weak link.

[SimonV]

From what I've seen online, the lens should be capable of really sharp results. Tom Calton on Youtube though mentioned that it wasn't the sharpest at F2.8 and 150mm, getting better at F4. The copy I tried was very obviously extremely soft (really no area was sharp at F2.8, to exclude any possible focus inaccuracies), but I was curious if this could be because of something else than a bad copy. Comparing it with the 24-105 with the same subjects, it was quite obvious it was very poor at F2.8 or even F4 regardless of focal length, and I shot at 1/1000 or above to eliminate camera shake. I normally don't even try out lenses or even used lenses if there's a return policy, but this specific store has a bad return policy and I've read a few posts online commenting on the copy variation.

So it's quite possible to find a good copy, but as someone suggested, be sure to get it from somewhere that lets you return it with no questions asked. I don't know about the return policies where you live, but I can imagine some stores refusing it if it's something they deem subjective, like softness at wide open apertures. There have been numerous posts online talking about quite a lot of copy variation. A real shame, but I'm still on the lookout for another one with hopefully better performance.

 

[NicoX]

I now have the Sigma and Samyang for the end of the week, I'll do some testing with the SL3 and share my findings.

[SimonV]

Good luck, let's hope you got a good one!

Edited October 17, 2024 by SimonV

[NicoX]

Hello all,

So after a weekend of use of both the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 and Samyang 35-150mm f2-2.8 on a Leica SL3, here are my conclusions.

First, both were good copies (my concern was most with the Samyang based on what I read elsewhere). No decentering, no lens creep, no corner abnormally soft, no AF issues (be it in AFs, AFc or AFi). 

As a hobbyist, knowing neither myself nor the people who look at my photos, would ever be able to tell the difference, both lenses felt great optically and the image quality felt pretty much the same to me.

So it comes down to user experience. And, personally, I preferred the Sigma; for the following reasons (in no particular order):

-  The zoom ring rotates in the opposite direction of the Sigma. It's very confusing if you use lenses from different manufacturers.

- The Sigma focuses immensely closer. Your subject magnification will be MUCH bigger. Honestly I was surprised by the difference. Your ability to isolate a subject is, therefore, potentially much bigger. And you might be able to live without a macro lens (for close-ups, not for real macro, obviously).

- The Sigma is wider. There's definitely some situations, especially inside, where 35mm might not be wide enough. And just like you could argue you could buy a 24-70mm f2.8 instead of the 28-105mm f2.8 and crop, the exact same thing can be said when comparing to the 35-150mm.

- The Samyang is quite heavier. 1kg is already non-negligible. 1,2kg is just too much for me.

- I prefer the feel of the Sigma. It's little things, but I prefer the hood, the aperture ring, the lens lock that unlocks automatically, the fact you can declick the aperture ring.

- The Samyang is brighter on paper, but it closes down extremely quickly when zooming. Don't be fooled, it's not going to change your ISO or your shutter speed significantly. And, again, seen you can focus much closer with the Sigma, you'll be able to isolate your subject better at all overlapping ranges.

I fully understand those that say that, as a working professional (for weddings for example), the Samyang is a better one-lens-to-rule-them-all, but as a hobbyist, I just wouldn't want to carry it with me. So it goes back.

[SimonV]

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Thanks for reporting back, good to hear some real life experiences with the two lenses! I had been eyeing the Sigma too before trying out the Samyang. Having used the Lumix 24-105 now for some time I can also appreciate the wider end of the zoom more, and 35 coudl sometimes be a bit tight I'm sure, but 28 in my opinion is wide enough. I too am a hobbyist, and I suspect I would also have more use of the 28mm of the Sigma than the added reach of the Samyang.

Thanks again, very helpful of you to report on the two lenses! I will probably be on the lookout for the Sigma in the future.

[leica_kh]

I've only seen a smattering of posts about this lens. I've got one on order because I find the focal length intriguing. The f-stop is ideal, too. I'm not afraid of the weight since I've carried lenses that are heavier. But I just hope not to be too disappointed by the IQ. I guess that's left to be seen. I know I'll get flamed for getting a non-Leica lens but I honestly cannot spring for the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 - though I do have the VE 24-70. But I need a little longer focal range and that's where the Rokinon comes into consideration. If people are interested I'll post some images from the lens when I receive it and give some of my impressions, too. 

[RoySmith]

Let us know how this works out. It is an intriguing focal length and aperture.

[Al Brown]

Search for Tamron 35-150 reviews, they look similar and share technical specs, although Tamron feels more premium & feature rich and reliable in professional use. The Rokinon/Samyang offers compelling value, solid image quality and good range at a lower price, but with compromises in autofocus speed, weather sealing, and handling. This is Rokinon/Samyang's first L mount AF zoom. Youtube is full of reviews of the Samyang version.

 

[leica_kh]

17 hours ago, RoySmith said:

Let us know how this works out. It is an intriguing focal length and aperture.

Here's a frame from 150mm @ f2.8. I'll post some more later but initial impressions seem positive. AF is quick enough. Some very minor hunting but that's more on the SL2-S. It's a big lens for sure but compared to my Canon EF70-200 f2.8 lens which I've had on the SL2-S, the Rokinon 35-150 is actually lighter, relatively speaking. 

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[leica_kh]

Here's another at 150mm @ f3.2, iso 25000. 

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[leica_kh]

150mm @ f2.8, iso 800 through a window. 

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[leica_kh]

Again at 150mm @ f2.8, iso 320. 

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[Oxfordian]

Images look very good, what are your initial thoughts on the lens, how does it handle, balance on camera, focusing speed and accuracy, image quality wide open at different focal length, what you like and what you dislike.

Put another way - a mini review if you could please..

[leica_kh]

On 6/30/2025 at 1:55 PM, Oxfordian said:

Images look very good, what are your initial thoughts on the lens, how does it handle, balance on camera, focusing speed and accuracy, image quality wide open at different focal length, what you like and what you dislike.

Put another way - a mini review if you could please..

Initial thoughts on the lens was that it's huge and heavy. Not as heavy as my Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 lens but it's close. But I took it out for a shoot and it wasn't as bad as I expected. It's a bulky beast. That said, the initial images I made were surprisingly good. Focus was adequately quick and accurate. I shot many of the shots around f2.8 and initially I head no real issues. It's too bad the lens doesn't have IS but I've heard that would have added to the weight so that would make sense why IS isn't there. 

However, after a few days of use, I noticed the lens started to feel loose where the lens would creep if I didn't lock it at 35mm. That was annoying but I could probably live with that. But... something I started to notice... Especially on the 150mm end... Sharpness started to become erratic. Sometimes images were sharp and other times the images were soft. I could never pin down the cause. I didn't intially have this issue so I was flummoxed. 

I LOVE the range of the lens and I could live with the weight and to a somewhat lesser extent the lens creep but I cannot accept the softness of images. I wanted to try another lens but I had no other choice but to return it. I am considering getting another one and giving it another try. 

[leica_kh]

Here's one last image I made with the Rokinon before I started having issues with it. 

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[Oxfordian]

6 hours ago, leica_kh said:

Initial thoughts on the lens was that it's huge and heavy. Not as heavy as my Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 lens but it's close. But I took it out for a shoot and it wasn't as bad as I expected. It's a bulky beast. That said, the initial images I made were surprisingly good. Focus was adequately quick and accurate. I shot many of the shots around f2.8 and initially I head no real issues. It's too bad the lens doesn't have IS but I've heard that would have added to the weight so that would make sense why IS isn't there. 

However, after a few days of use, I noticed the lens started to feel loose where the lens would creep if I didn't lock it at 35mm. That was annoying but I could probably live with that. But... something I started to notice... Especially on the 150mm end... Sharpness started to become erratic. Sometimes images were sharp and other times the images were soft. I could never pin down the cause. I didn't intially have this issue so I was flummoxed. 

I LOVE the range of the lens and I could live with the weight and to a somewhat lesser extent the lens creep but I cannot accept the softness of images. I wanted to try another lens but I had no other choice but to return it. I am considering getting another one and giving it another try. 

Thanks for this, I like the focal range a lot, it would certainly suit my photography needs. I'm on the fence with it at the moment so I think I'll stay there and watch how people get on before deciding.  

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[leica_kh]

4 hours ago, Oxfordian said:

Thanks for this, I like the focal range a lot, it would certainly suit my photography needs. I'm on the fence with it at the moment so I think I'll stay there and watch how people get on before deciding.  

That's probably a good decision. I took a chance and luckily I was able to send the lens back. I like this focal length but perhaps I'm expecting too much. I have the VE 24-70 which is a superb lens just wish for some extra reach. I'm thinking a fixed telephoto would service my needs. I'd love a 180mm or 200mm f2.8 to outfit my kit. 

[Oxfordian]

1 hour ago, leica_kh said:

That's probably a good decision. I took a chance and luckily I was able to send the lens back. I like this focal length but perhaps I'm expecting too much. I have the VE 24-70 which is a superb lens just wish for some extra reach. I'm thinking a fixed telephoto would service my needs. I'd love a 180mm or 200mm f2.8 to outfit my kit. 

Maybe it would be a better lens if it was f4 or f2.8-f4 rather than f2-f2.8 , that might enable it to be smaller and possibly improve its performance.