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Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro Review RSS Feed

Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro

Sharpness 
 10.0
Aberrations 
 9.5
Bokeh 
 9.5
Handling 
 8.5
Value 
 8.5
Reviews Views Date of last review
2 15,634 Mon September 9, 2019
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $390.00 9.00
Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro

Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
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Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
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Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
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Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
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Description:

A 24x36mm full-frame manual focus 100mm F2.8 macro lens. Max. magnification is life size (1:1). The lens has an aperture ring with "A" setting thus allowing the user to manually control the aperture diaphragm when using close-up accessories such as bellows or tubes.

The optics include one high refraction (HR) element and one extra low dispersion (ED) element. The lens barrel is made of aluminum.


Samyang 100mm F2.8 ED UMC MACRO
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Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 9 blades (rounded)
Optics
15 elements, 12 groups
Mount Variant
KA
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.8
Min. Aperture
F32
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
30 cm
Max. Magnification
1x
Filter Size
67 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 16.4 ° / 13.7 °
Full frame: 24.8 ° / 20.4 °
Hood
Included
Case
Pouch included
Lens Cap
Included
Coating
Multi-coated
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
72.5x121.6 mm (2.85x4.79 in.)
Weight
710 g (25 oz.)
Production Years
2015 to present (in production)
Pricing
$379 USD current price
Reviews
User reviews
Variants

Also sold under the Rokinon brand name and possibly other names as well



Note: Canon mount variant pictured
Buy Lens: Buy the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
Price: $549
Mount Type: Pentax KA
Price History:



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Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-2 of 2
Junior Member

Registered: June, 2015
Location: Százhalombatta, Hungary
Posts: 37

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 9, 2019 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Excellent optics, handling, build-quality
Cons: Focus throw is a little-bit short
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax K-5   

I just got this lens right now. I had to wait for about 8 weeks to get it... Samyang is rare in my country, so is Pentax and this combination is extra-rare, so mine had to be ordered from Korea. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! The lens came with front and rear caps, a reversible lens hood and a cloth sack to protect it in the bag. The lens is an internal focusing design, so it doesn't change its length. Of course the front element doesn't rotate either.

The lens has an aperture ring with an "A" setting and the image circle is full-frame/leica film compatible. And that was the main reason for choosing this over the excellent Pentax D-FA 100. Since I not only use my K-5, but also a Pentax MX and a Pentax Super-A, I needed a lens that is compatible with them all. This lens fills in that role perfectly. Focusing is well dampened, yet smooth. The aperture diaphragm is almost round, the bokeh is smooth. My only "concern" is that the focus throw is somewhat short for a macro lens, so one has to be very precise and pay attention.
Focusing this lens with a split-screen/microprism is a breeze of course and I have one installed in my K-5 as well. Using LiveView + zooming in is also a nice option. On newer bodies, there's also focus peaking, which is also a huge help. However I would think twice about this lens, if I had anything older, without a split/microprism focusing screen OR liveview, as focusing it in a stock focusing screen might be pretty hard. The cameras' feedback isn't always spot on and simply relying on your eyes isn't really working in a small, dark APS-C cameras' viewfinder. So consider your options before buying in.

For me, because of my modified K-5 and my film SLR's, manual focus isn't a lack of feature, but rather a feature itself, one that I require. It might not be the case for you however, so think it over.

The colors are excellent, with deep contrast, very few (if any) aberrations and this lens is already very sharp from f/2.8, which only improves when stopping down. Over f/22 some diffraction kicks in and when going full macro, it matters, if you want proper depth of field.

The lens doubles as an excellent portrait glass too! Here, a split/microprism focusing screen helps again!

Build and optical quality are both perfect. There's no wobbling of any kind. This is a solid build. The lens comes to a hard stop at infinity, so no need to worry about focusing beyond infinity.

All in all, I can highly recommend this beast of a lens! It's an excellent one and I think my copy might be a pretty good one too, because compared to internet-found samples, mine seems a bit better. Add to the fact that you can stabilize it on a Pentax body and it's a super-win. But then again, the Pentax D-FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro is just as good, with WR and AF.
Therefore I'd only consider this one, if you need one with an aperture ring. That being said, I love this lens from day one. Recommended!
   
New Member

Registered: June, 2018
Posts: 6
Review Date: June 18, 2018 Recommended | Price: $280.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Great sharpness and bokeh
Cons: Pricey, heavy and very huge, lens hood is bulky
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 7    Value: 7    Camera Used: Sony A7   

Bought this lens second hand because I wanted to try it on my A7. I found it very sharp with great bokeh and no visible chromatic aberration or other optical flaw.
I didn't like the fact it is quite huge and heavy (even if plastic), and the lens hood is simply too big.

It's a very good lens but the value is not the best since it is not that much better than a a lot of other vintage lenses. I think prices for a new one are too high. Otherwise, the lens is great, if you can live with it's size and weight.
The main difference with a vintage macro lens is that the Samyang's bokeh stays quite round when stopped down, thanks to the 9 aperture blades.

Price I paid is given in € for a second hand lens in good conditions.
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