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Samyang AF 35-150mm Sony Lens Review

Whilst busy developing a series of second generation mirrorless lenses, Samyang has found the time to release an all-new, all-in-one zoom lens for full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras.

New generation Samyang lenses are going from strength to strength with a new exterior design, user customisation and even better image quality than previous models. The Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Zoom Lens for Sony is a shining example of these improvements, with plenty for Sony photographers and hybrid shooters to get excited about.

Find out all you need to know about the new zoom in our Samyang AF 35-150mm Sony Lens Review, which includes sample images with 100% crops for pixel peeping and full lens specifications.

Sample image © Alyssa Zalabai with Sony a7 IV camera and lens @150mm. Camera settings: 1/250 sec. f/2.8. ISO 100.

When was the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens for Sony released?

The Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens for Sony was released 6 April 2023, which is around eight months after the previous launch of the second generation AF 85mm F/1.4 FE II Lens For Sony.

Samyang has spent the last couple of years updating many of their most popular Sony mirrorless lenses and the latest zoom adopts many of the second generation upgrades, including its hidden red-ring design.

How much does the Samyang AF 35-150mm lens cost?

At launch the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Zoom Lens for Sony FE price is £1,099.00, which is the most expensive model from range to date. The majority of previous lenses have been primes, typically costing between £500 – £700, so this make senses, as the new model covers several prime focal widths.

Sample pet portrait © Alyssa Zalabai with Sony a7 IV camera and lens @150mm. Camera settings: 1/80 sec. f/2.5. ISO 500.

What is the Samyang AF 35-150mm zoom lens used for?

A combination of features ensure the Samyang AF 35-150mm zoom lens can be used for a huge variety of photo and video applications. Most importantly the lens combines a versatile zoom range with a bright variable aperture, which makes it perfect for low light shooting and almost any genre.

These include:

• Portrait photography
• Event photography, including weddings
• Lifestyle and travel photography
• Street photography
• Cityscapes and landscapes
• Video content

100% crop from sample photo above, look at those details!

It’s clear that the focal range is incredibly useful, spanning some of the most popular primes lenses, including Samyang’s own models for Sony:

1. AF 35mm F/1.4 FE II Lens
2. AF 50mm F/1.4 FE II Lens
3. AF 85mm F/1.4 FE II Lens
4. AF 135mm F/1.8 FE Lens

Sample cityscape © Andrei Coste with Sony a7 III camera and lens @61mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/2.8. ISO 1000.

Is the Samyang AF 35-150mm lens good for video?

Yes, the Samyang AF 35-150mm lens is great for video, with a fast, quiet Linear STM (stepping motor), which tracks subjects quietly and accurately. The lens also features switches for Par Focal, Dolly Mode and Linear MF, which can be controlled via the Samyang Lens Manager computer app.

These custom switches help video and hybrid creators capture more engaging movies through cinematic control over the results and the lens performs as expected when switched between MF/AF.

Another detailed 100% crop showing the high resolving power of the lens from the previous sample image

Samyang AF 35-150mm image quality

More recent Samyang lenses feature new optical designs and the AF 35-150mm lens includes 21 elements, which are arranged in 18 groups, of which 12 are special elements. This explains the substantial heft at 1,315g, as well as being responsible for delivering outstanding image quality across the frame and zoom range.

Special lenses are responsible for reducing unwanted artefacts, controlling distortion and rendering detail and sharpness. This particular lens boasts two aspherical, three high-refractive elements, six extra-low dispersion elements and a single ‘HB’ element.

The results are excellent as highlighted by the sharpness shown in these 100% crops from supplied sample images. As well as producing high image quality the AF 35-150mm offers a close minimum focus distance (or MOD), which is 0.33m at the wide end of the zoom and 0.85m at the telephoto end. Magnification is 0.175x and 0.18x respectively, enabling you to capture great close-up images and detail shots.

Lens controls and usability

One of the key areas which Samyang is concentrating on, is the useability and customisation of their lenses. This model packs a series of controls along the lens barrel to help streamline your workflow, including:

• Zoom control ring
• Focus hold button
• Focus lock button
• AF/MF switch
• Custom switch (1,2,3)

There is no aperture ring on this model, which relies on camera control of aperture, although you can switch the focus ring to operate as an aperture ring, which is a great addition.

Illustration showing weather seals

The design features a ‘hidden red ring,’ which signifies the new Samyang brand identity and the barrel is made of metal for added durability. It’s not a lightweight zoom by any means, due to the substantial amounts of glass required to render professional image quality, but it is well balanced and definitely solid feeling.

Outdoor content creators always require a degree of weather resistance against moisture and dust particles, and the Samyang AF 35-150mm lens has been extensively sealed on the mount and across 12 locations in total. If your Sony camera body has sealing, mounting this lens will create an effective pair against inclement weather.

Sample portrait © Alyssa Zalabai with Sony a7 IV camera and lens @150mm. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/2.8. ISO 100.

Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens for Sony Specifications

We’ve highlighted the main specifications of the lens in the table below, in order for you to see how advanced the optical design and features are. The filter thread is 82mm, which allows you to add any screw-in lens filters you might need.

Summary

Samyang’s latest lens breaks the mould, covering four extremely popular prime focal lengths in a single, bright aperture ‘all-in-one’ zoom lens. This alone sets it apart from virtually any other lens for the Sony system, however it delivers more, with impressive image quality and added video capabilities for today’s photographers, who are often hybrid creators. Whether you are a professional event photographer, travel photographer or an enthusiast hybrid shooter, this could become the most versatile and widely used lens in your collection.

Head over to reserve your Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Zoom Lens for Sony today and save on the need to switch lenses so often.

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By Nick Daiutlich on 06/04/2023