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Damian · 02-26-2011, 10:22 AM

Hey, I'm not sure if anyone has posted this yet, I did a quick search and didn't see anything pertaining to this, but the new Samyang 35mm f1.4 is now available for sale from a Malaysian Online Camera store.

Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Lens (Pentax K Mount) - ShaShinKi.com ~ Malaysia's First & Largest Online Camera Shop!

The price is quite steep for an untested manual focus lens. I guess they are banking on people wanting to be the first to try it. Personally, I think that price is rather high considering the offerings available from Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Sigma that have auto focus capabilities.

Is anyone aware of any testing that has been done on this lens.

elho_cid · 02-26-2011, 11:33 AM

High? It's a lot cheaper than I expected it to be.

aurele · 02-26-2011, 12:00 PM

it's quite cheap considering what it offers ! If i had 500$ and no other lens to buy (like a 85mm

) i would go for it now.

Damian · 02-26-2011, 12:13 PM

Well, I might change my mind about the price when I see some MTF data and a somewhat in depth review on it's capabilities. If it's as good as you guys say it is, then that price is probably right on and would be something I would consider buying.

paperbag846 · 02-26-2011, 12:35 PM

I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus...

Rory · 02-26-2011, 12:56 PM

If they keep up what they created with the 14mm and 85mm, this should be a stellar performer for the money. Who cares about AF at that focal length? It's not like you're shooting sports with it, and if you are, you're going to be at infinity anyway.

paperbag846 · 02-26-2011, 01:16 PM

I find good uses for my DA 40's snappy autofocus...

not sure how this lens would be much different.

But i suspect most of you are better at manual focus than I, anyhow.

WiseOx · 02-26-2011, 01:25 PM

Is it likely to out perform the Sigma 30mm f1.4, which sells for a $100 less? And has auto focus?

Rory · 02-26-2011, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by WiseOx

Is it likely to out perform the Sigma 30mm f1.4, which sells for a $100 less? And has auto focus?

Probably, overall. I don't know how the quality control is, but Sigma seems hit or miss. Not really a big deal, just a pain to send in and get calibrated.

The Sigma 30mm is not an option for me, anyway. So a fast, sharp 35mm at $500 is pretty tempting. Especialy since a Zeiss at f2 is quite a bit more, and doesn't necessarily outperform. Has unique colors and look, though.

**nater** · 02-26-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus...

You mean for you personally, or in general? Because there is certainly a market for, and there exist brands that do, produce new manual lenses which are not autofocus, and have happy buyers (myself included) at various price points, including above $500.

**jeffshaddix** · 02-26-2011, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus...

I don't think autofocus is that big of a deal, but I seriously don't understand why this samyang and zeiss's for example don't even use KA mount! It can't be that expensive to add, and it certainly doesn't hamper build/optical quality.

Edit: My comment was totally unfounded, both this lens and the Zeiss are in KA mount!

paperbag846 · 02-26-2011, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by nater

You mean for you personally, or in general? Because there is certainly a market for, and there exist brands that do, produce new manual lenses which are not autofocus, and have happy buyers (myself included) at various price points, including above $500.

I just mean, if you are going to charge me 500 for a good lens without autofocus, charge me 550 for one with autofocus as an option.

I'm sure there is some good reason for the lack of autofocus, but it's not particularly impressive (to me).

**jeffshaddix** · 02-26-2011, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Rory

Probably, overall. I don't know how the quality control is, but Sigma seems hit or miss. Not really a big deal, just a pain to send in and get calibrated.

The Sigma 30mm is not an option for me, anyway. So a fast, sharp 35mm at $500 is pretty tempting. Especialy since a Zeiss at f2 is quite a bit more, and doesn't necessarily outperform. Has unique colors and look, though.

Just curious, why is the sigma not an option? I think it makes a great alternative (qa issues aside).

Btw, anyone find a MFD or macro ratio for this samyang? Edit: found it: .3m

Rory · 02-26-2011, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

I don't think autofocus is that big of a deal, but I seriously don't understand why this samyang and zeiss's for example don't even use KA mount! It can't be that expensive to add, and it certainly doesn't hamper build/optical quality.

I think the Samyang is KA. I know that my Voigtlander was KA, and I'm pretty sure the new incarnation of Zeiss is as well.

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Just curious, why is the sigma not an option? I think it makes a great alternative (qa issues aside).

Btw, anyone find a MFD or macro ratio for this samyang?

The Sigma 30mm doesn't fill full frame.

**jeffshaddix** · 02-26-2011, 02:40 PM

My Voigtlander is KA as well, but I don't see an A setting on the aperture ring of the Samyang.

Edit: Perhaps the "22" setting in red is doubling as the "A" setting?

02-26-2011, 10:22 AM	#1
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	Samyang 35mm f1.4 now Available Hey, I'm not sure if anyone has posted this yet, I did a quick search and didn't see anything pertaining to this, but the new Samyang 35mm f1.4 is now available for sale from a Malaysian Online Camera store. Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Lens (Pentax K Mount) - ShaShinKi.com ~ Malaysia's First & Largest Online Camera Shop! The price is quite steep for an untested manual focus lens. I guess they are banking on people wanting to be the first to try it. Personally, I think that price is rather high considering the offerings available from Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Sigma that have auto focus capabilities. Is anyone aware of any testing that has been done on this lens.

02-26-2011, 02:09 PM	#11
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by paperbag846 I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus... I don't think autofocus is that big of a deal, but I seriously don't understand why this samyang and zeiss's for example don't even use KA mount! It can't be that expensive to add, and it certainly doesn't hamper build/optical quality. Edit: My comment was totally unfounded, both this lens and the Zeiss are in KA mount! Last edited by jeffshaddix; 02-26-2011 at 06:38 PM.

02-26-2011, 02:13 PM	#13
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by Rory Probably, overall. I don't know how the quality control is, but Sigma seems hit or miss. Not really a big deal, just a pain to send in and get calibrated. The Sigma 30mm is not an option for me, anyway. So a fast, sharp 35mm at $500 is pretty tempting. Especialy since a Zeiss at f2 is quite a bit more, and doesn't necessarily outperform. Has unique colors and look, though. Just curious, why is the sigma not an option? I think it makes a great alternative (qa issues aside). Btw, anyone find a MFD or macro ratio for this samyang? Edit: found it: .3m Last edited by jeffshaddix; 02-26-2011 at 02:43 PM.

02-26-2011, 02:40 PM	#15
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	My Voigtlander is KA as well, but I don't see an A setting on the aperture ring of the Samyang. Edit: Perhaps the "22" setting in red is doubling as the "A" setting? Last edited by jeffshaddix; 02-26-2011 at 02:46 PM.

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02-26-2011, 11:33 AM	#2
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	High? It's a lot cheaper than I expected it to be.

02-26-2011, 12:00 PM	#3
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	it's quite cheap considering what it offers ! If i had 500$ and no other lens to buy (like a 85mm ) i would go for it now.

02-26-2011, 12:13 PM	#4
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278 Original Poster	Well, I might change my mind about the price when I see some MTF data and a somewhat in depth review on it's capabilities. If it's as good as you guys say it is, then that price is probably right on and would be something I would consider buying.

02-26-2011, 12:35 PM	#5
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus...

02-26-2011, 12:56 PM	#6
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672	If they keep up what they created with the 14mm and 85mm, this should be a stellar performer for the money. Who cares about AF at that focal length? It's not like you're shooting sports with it, and if you are, you're going to be at infinity anyway.

02-26-2011, 01:16 PM	#7
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I find good uses for my DA 40's snappy autofocus... not sure how this lens would be much different. But i suspect most of you are better at manual focus than I, anyhow.

02-26-2011, 01:25 PM	#8
WiseOx Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Whitby (near Toronto), Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 433	Is it likely to out perform the Sigma 30mm f1.4, which sells for a $100 less? And has auto focus?

02-26-2011, 01:59 PM	#9
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672	Originally posted by WiseOx Is it likely to out perform the Sigma 30mm f1.4, which sells for a $100 less? And has auto focus? Probably, overall. I don't know how the quality control is, but Sigma seems hit or miss. Not really a big deal, just a pain to send in and get calibrated. The Sigma 30mm is not an option for me, anyway. So a fast, sharp 35mm at $500 is pretty tempting. Especialy since a Zeiss at f2 is quite a bit more, and doesn't necessarily outperform. Has unique colors and look, though.

02-26-2011, 02:06 PM	#10
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by paperbag846 I think a 500 dollar lens should have some form of autofocus... You mean for you personally, or in general? Because there is certainly a market for, and there exist brands that do, produce new manual lenses which are not autofocus, and have happy buyers (myself included) at various price points, including above $500.

02-26-2011, 02:10 PM	#12
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by nater You mean for you personally, or in general? Because there is certainly a market for, and there exist brands that do, produce new manual lenses which are not autofocus, and have happy buyers (myself included) at various price points, including above $500. I just mean, if you are going to charge me 500 for a good lens without autofocus, charge me 550 for one with autofocus as an option. I'm sure there is some good reason for the lack of autofocus, but it's not particularly impressive (to me).

02-26-2011, 02:21 PM	#14
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672	Originally posted by jeffshaddix I don't think autofocus is that big of a deal, but I seriously don't understand why this samyang and zeiss's for example don't even use KA mount! It can't be that expensive to add, and it certainly doesn't hamper build/optical quality. I think the Samyang is KA. I know that my Voigtlander was KA, and I'm pretty sure the new incarnation of Zeiss is as well. Originally posted by jeffshaddix Just curious, why is the sigma not an option? I think it makes a great alternative (qa issues aside). Btw, anyone find a MFD or macro ratio for this samyang? The Sigma 30mm doesn't fill full frame.

Samyang 35mm f1.4 now Available

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