Samyang 35mm f1.4 now Available

gnaztee · 03-07-2011, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by nater

I do understand and hear all the points being made about how so many prices appear fixed - I think what I was trying to communicate is that while the lens market isn't a perfect supply/demand microeconomic marketplace, neither is it some sort of protected marketplace free from the effects of varying levels of demand from consumers (which was someone else's thesis). Prices do move, though the major camera/lens makers do try to operate as much like a cartel as legally possible (with MAP and authorized resellers, no warranty on 'grey-market goods' etc.) and they typically try to hide supply/demand price changes as much as possible (preferring rebates over sales), specifically because giving the appearance of total price stability/lock gives them the upper hand - and ultimately greater profits. (I'd like to think that by commenting in this thread in this way I can raise greater awareness among the general consumer that the 'fixed' and 'stable' prices are really a corporate construct and not a true reality.)

I hear ya. I don't really have a dog in this fight anyway. I definitely agree with the "not a true reality" statement. Just comparing prices of, say, a Nikon 24/1.4 lens with a Sigma 24/1.8, or a Nikon 85/1.8 with a Pentax 77/1.8..."reality" is hard to put a finger on when examining lens prices!

**nater** · 03-07-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Jasvox

I'll pass on this Chinese lens.

I'm sure the Chinese and South Koreans on this board must groan at comments like this.

Samyang Optics is a South Korean company, and in 2004 they merged with the Japanese company Seikou Optics.

Damian · 03-07-2011, 10:53 AM - **1 Like**

Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site.

Samyang.pl news

Damian · 03-07-2011, 11:03 AM

Just looking at the sample images, it seems sharp enough with good bokeh. Though bokeh highlights seem to have green fringing. Color and contrast seems decent.

Bokeh does seem to be a little busy in the last sample, with lots of green fringing on the highlights, but that is also a very busy background.

Pentaxor · 03-07-2011, 11:45 AM

samples look good but not overwhelming. need more samples, otherwise this is just good at best. a comparison perhaps might help.

Damian · 03-07-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

a comparison perhaps might help

I agree. It's hard to tell how good or bad this lens is without comparing it to other available lenses. More sample images would be nice as well.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 03-07-2011, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by Damian

Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site.

Samyang.pl news

Thanks for the link. The sharpness at 1.4 is impressive and the lens seems to be sharp across the entire (APS) frame. I also noticed the edge of the highlights - that may be a problem, but more samples would be needed.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 03-07-2011, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by nater

(I'd like to think that by commenting in this thread in this way I can raise greater awareness among the general consumer that the 'fixed' and 'stable' prices are really a corporate construct and not a true reality.)

I agree that prices are fixed. The best example is again Samyang via its numerous rebrandings. The Rokinon are cheaper than the Bower/Pro-Optic, which in turn are cheaper than the Vivitar versions. While the Vivitar looks different and may be slightly different (maybe has different coatings? or not?), the others look the same. Why do they have different prices? Because they say so. Still, that's the state today and that's all I was pointing out.

**jeffshaddix** · 03-08-2011, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by Damian

Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site.

Samyang.pl news

That's a fairly impressive set of sample shots. I'm surprised at the sharpness at f/1.4 (and without much fringing/aberrations no less). It's also helpful that those pics were shot on a D7000 with the same sensor size as our cameras (film aficionados excluded).

Perhaps I should keep this lens on my radar (especially if it turns out that pesky FA31 is out of my grasp!).

Edit: The more I look at the specs the more I like: If their MTF chart is correct, then wide open it superbly beats the Sigma 30 1.4 at resolving at the borders. Only time (and a professional review) will tell.

Damian · 03-09-2011, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

That's a fairly impressive set of sample shots. I'm surprised at the sharpness at f/1.4 (and without much fringing/aberrations no less). It's also helpful that those pics were shot on a D7000 with the same sensor size as our cameras (film aficionados excluded).

Perhaps I should keep this lens on my radar (especially if it turns out that pesky FA31 is out of my grasp!).

Edit: The more I look at the specs the more I like: If their MTF chart is correct, then wide open it superbly beats the Sigma 30 1.4 at resolving at the borders. Only time (and a professional review) will tell.

You know, after looking at it again, you are right, the images are quite sharp for f1.4. My only concern is that the f11 and f8 shots don't look like they are huge improvements over the f1.4 performance. If that is the best I can expect from this lens, my lowly Pentax-a 35mm f2.8 can probably out perform the Samyang above f4 or 5.6. I guess the Samyang is optimized for large aperture performance kind of like the 85mm f1.4.
I mentioned the green rings in the bokeh in my previous post. After further research the green rings in the bokeh are probably the result of the lens having an aspherical element. Though it's disappointing to see, it is apparently expected in this type of lens design.
Again, as everyone has mentioned thus far, more sample images and a detailed review are definitely necessary to form a real option about the Samyang's performance.

yeatzee · 03-09-2011, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by Damian

Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site.

Samyang.pl news

very sharp, but overall horrible samples to show a new lens off with

deadwolfbones · 03-09-2011, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

very sharp, but overall horrible samples to show a new lens off with

Typical for camera company samples.

yeatzee · 03-09-2011, 11:59 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Typical for camera company samples.

I wonder why not give it to a good photographer? Heck, im sure I could take better ones than these

Samyang send me one, and I wont charge you a single penny (as long as I get to keep the lens

)

Jasvox · 03-10-2011, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by nater

I'm sure the Chinese and South Koreans on this board must groan at comments like this.

Samyang Optics is a South Korean company, and in 2004 they merged with the Japanese company Seikou Optics.

If anyone was offended by what I posted, chances are they are offended by much much more than that on a daily basis.

Jason

**jeffshaddix** · 03-17-2011, 02:58 PM

New samples have been posted on lenstip.com:

Samyang 35 mm f/1.4 AS UMC - sample shots - Lenstip.com

The samples are all taken with a Nikon D3x full-frame DSLR, so I'd expect better resolution across a Pentax APS-C camera.

The samples look good to me, but not great. I find it odd that the f/2.8 shot seems sharper than the f/8 shot of the same subject. Thoughts?

03-08-2011, 11:19 PM	#129
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by Damian Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site. Samyang.pl news That's a fairly impressive set of sample shots. I'm surprised at the sharpness at f/1.4 (and without much fringing/aberrations no less). It's also helpful that those pics were shot on a D7000 with the same sensor size as our cameras (film aficionados excluded). Perhaps I should keep this lens on my radar (especially if it turns out that pesky FA31 is out of my grasp!). Edit: The more I look at the specs the more I like: If their MTF chart is correct, then wide open it superbly beats the Sigma 30 1.4 at resolving at the borders. Only time (and a professional review) will tell. Last edited by jeffshaddix; 03-08-2011 at 11:29 PM.

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03-07-2011, 09:47 AM	#121
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	Originally posted by nater I do understand and hear all the points being made about how so many prices appear fixed - I think what I was trying to communicate is that while the lens market isn't a perfect supply/demand microeconomic marketplace, neither is it some sort of protected marketplace free from the effects of varying levels of demand from consumers (which was someone else's thesis). Prices do move, though the major camera/lens makers do try to operate as much like a cartel as legally possible (with MAP and authorized resellers, no warranty on 'grey-market goods' etc.) and they typically try to hide supply/demand price changes as much as possible (preferring rebates over sales), specifically because giving the appearance of total price stability/lock gives them the upper hand - and ultimately greater profits. (I'd like to think that by commenting in this thread in this way I can raise greater awareness among the general consumer that the 'fixed' and 'stable' prices are really a corporate construct and not a true reality.) I hear ya. I don't really have a dog in this fight anyway. I definitely agree with the "not a true reality" statement. Just comparing prices of, say, a Nikon 24/1.4 lens with a Sigma 24/1.8, or a Nikon 85/1.8 with a Pentax 77/1.8..."reality" is hard to put a finger on when examining lens prices!

03-07-2011, 10:15 AM	#122
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by Jasvox I'll pass on this Chinese lens. I'm sure the Chinese and South Koreans on this board must groan at comments like this. Samyang Optics is a South Korean company, and in 2004 they merged with the Japanese company Seikou Optics.

03-07-2011, 10:53 AM - 1 Like	#123
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278 Original Poster	Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site. Samyang.pl news

03-07-2011, 11:03 AM	#124
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278 Original Poster	Just looking at the sample images, it seems sharp enough with good bokeh. Though bokeh highlights seem to have green fringing. Color and contrast seems decent. Bokeh does seem to be a little busy in the last sample, with lots of green fringing on the highlights, but that is also a very busy background.

03-07-2011, 11:45 AM	#125
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	samples look good but not overwhelming. need more samples, otherwise this is just good at best. a comparison perhaps might help.

03-07-2011, 11:54 AM	#126
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentaxor a comparison perhaps might help I agree. It's hard to tell how good or bad this lens is without comparing it to other available lenses. More sample images would be nice as well.

03-07-2011, 09:51 PM	#127
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by Damian Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site. Samyang.pl news Thanks for the link. The sharpness at 1.4 is impressive and the lens seems to be sharp across the entire (APS) frame. I also noticed the edge of the highlights - that may be a problem, but more samples would be needed.

03-07-2011, 10:28 PM	#128
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by nater (I'd like to think that by commenting in this thread in this way I can raise greater awareness among the general consumer that the 'fixed' and 'stable' prices are really a corporate construct and not a true reality.) I agree that prices are fixed. The best example is again Samyang via its numerous rebrandings. The Rokinon are cheaper than the Bower/Pro-Optic, which in turn are cheaper than the Vivitar versions. While the Vivitar looks different and may be slightly different (maybe has different coatings? or not?), the others look the same. Why do they have different prices? Because they say so. Still, that's the state today and that's all I was pointing out.

03-09-2011, 10:45 AM	#130
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278 Original Poster	Originally posted by jeffshaddix That's a fairly impressive set of sample shots. I'm surprised at the sharpness at f/1.4 (and without much fringing/aberrations no less). It's also helpful that those pics were shot on a D7000 with the same sensor size as our cameras (film aficionados excluded). Perhaps I should keep this lens on my radar (especially if it turns out that pesky FA31 is out of my grasp!). Edit: The more I look at the specs the more I like: If their MTF chart is correct, then wide open it superbly beats the Sigma 30 1.4 at resolving at the borders. Only time (and a professional review) will tell. You know, after looking at it again, you are right, the images are quite sharp for f1.4. My only concern is that the f11 and f8 shots don't look like they are huge improvements over the f1.4 performance. If that is the best I can expect from this lens, my lowly Pentax-a 35mm f2.8 can probably out perform the Samyang above f4 or 5.6. I guess the Samyang is optimized for large aperture performance kind of like the 85mm f1.4. I mentioned the green rings in the bokeh in my previous post. After further research the green rings in the bokeh are probably the result of the lens having an aspherical element. Though it's disappointing to see, it is apparently expected in this type of lens design. Again, as everyone has mentioned thus far, more sample images and a detailed review are definitely necessary to form a real option about the Samyang's performance.

03-09-2011, 10:21 PM	#131
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by Damian Sample images, apparently taken with this lens are now available on the Samyang Site. Samyang.pl news very sharp, but overall horrible samples to show a new lens off with

03-09-2011, 10:56 PM	#132
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by yeatzee very sharp, but overall horrible samples to show a new lens off with Typical for camera company samples.

03-09-2011, 11:59 PM	#133
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Typical for camera company samples. I wonder why not give it to a good photographer? Heck, im sure I could take better ones than these Samyang send me one, and I wont charge you a single penny (as long as I get to keep the lens )

03-10-2011, 01:28 AM	#134
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Originally posted by nater I'm sure the Chinese and South Koreans on this board must groan at comments like this. Samyang Optics is a South Korean company, and in 2004 they merged with the Japanese company Seikou Optics. If anyone was offended by what I posted, chances are they are offended by much much more than that on a daily basis. Jason

03-17-2011, 02:58 PM	#135
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	New samples have been posted on lenstip.com: Samyang 35 mm f/1.4 AS UMC - sample shots - Lenstip.com The samples are all taken with a Nikon D3x full-frame DSLR, so I'd expect better resolution across a Pentax APS-C camera. The samples look good to me, but not great. I find it odd that the f/2.8 shot seems sharper than the f/8 shot of the same subject. Thoughts?