Photographer Dustin Abbott shares a buying guide for those interested in the premium side of Sony full frame mirrorless. He covers the different camera options, zooms vs primes, and what lenses are worth considering for each brand.
All tested on Sony cameras :)
Starting from today you can preorder the world’s most advanced pinhole lens on Kickstarter (Click here to read all details).
Reminder:
These Star Trek Discovery Badge Series are now available on Kickstarter (Click here).
Samyang 135mm f/1.8 FE preorder at BHphoto, Adorama. Calumet DE, FotoKochDE, WexUK.
ePhotozine tested the new 135mm FE lens and concludes:
The lens offers lovely, crisp images with smooth, pleasing bokeh as well. This is an indication that the lens is sharp but not so cruelly sharp as to make it uncomfortable as a portrait lens nor is it so over-sharp that the bokeh becomes relatively ragged. No, this one is as smooth as silk, a lovely performer, as slick as the beautifully engineered lens mount that bayonets onto the Sony A7R III.
Add to this low distortion and CA, close focusing, superb flare control and hardly any vignetting and the result is a very well put together lens at a very attractive price. Some may find 135mm slightly long for some subjects, but the rest of this range also includes a 75mm, so there are other options if needed.
In summary, a great lens at a great price and ‘Highly Recommended’.
Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 FE: In USA at BHphoto. In Europe at WexUK. FotoKoch DE. FotoErhardt DE.
The Samyang 24-70 got a firmware update that gives you the ability to have Linear Focusing. Here is a short video displaying the new feature:
Thew new improved version is now in Stock with a $70 discount at Bhphoto. and Adorama.
Amateur Photographer concludes:
When Samyang released its original 50mm F1.4 back in 2016, it counted as a very decent first effort at an autofocus optic. But expectations have changed since then, with lenses now required to provide a good account of themselves on high-resolution sensors while also offering video-friendly characteristics. Judged against this higher bar, the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II acquits itself well.
By any sensible measure, this is a fine lens. Optically it’s a massive upgrade on its predecessor; in particular, it’s much sharper at large apertures. Yet it’s also smaller and noticeably lighter, while benefiting from useful additional controls and weather-sealed construction. Autofocus is dramatically improved too, being quicker and quieter, with minimal breathing.
Indeed, casting around for points of criticism feels a little churlish. It probably doesn’t focus quite as rapidly as its rivals, and I wouldn’t expect to get the same hit-rate of perfectly sharp shots when using continuous AF with erratically moving subjects. But this is easily forgiven for a lens that’s less than half the price and practically half the weight of its Sony counterpart.
Where the previous optic was perhaps best seen as a good fit for users of 24MP A7 cameras on a budget, the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II is now entirely at home on the 60MP Alpha 7R IV, and indeed looks like it has more in reserve for higher resolution sensors. For Sony users looking for a fast standard prime, but who are put off by the size, weight and price of its rivals, it’s an excellent choice.
