Just got my copy from Amazon for my Sony a900. Not too shabby build quality for a $500 lens and so far I like it. I'm taking it with me on vacation this weekend to Zion, Bryce, and Escalante so I'll bring back some more enticing pictures than this one of my dog
Locster wrote:
Just got my copy from Amazon for my Sony a900. Not too shabby build quality for a $500 lens and so far I like it. I'm taking it with me on vacation this weekend to Zion, Bryce, and Escalante so I'll bring back some more enticing pictures than this one of my dog
Nice. Looking forward to seeing your pics and hearing your impression of the lens.
I may have to join up...there are some seriously excellent images above! so thanks for them all - you find your eye looking for flaws and coming up empty, a very very good lens. A fantastic portrait of your aging dog, Locster, great fade of the definition of his body and even bokeh of the surrounds. Would be good to hear your views on usability on the A900 body also, if you can spare us a few words.
There are 1-2 threads here at FM, but not too informative in my eyes. I think the performance is a bit embarrassing to some expensive but "correct" brands. Regardless, it will be interesting to see when some of the more accepted testing sites come out, the lens is bound to be thoroughly compared to eg 35L and the Zeisses.
R.Young wrote:
I wonder if selling a ZE 35/2 for one would be silly?
You would gain some speed, but you would give up quite a bit in the build quality.Better option might be to sell the ZE35f2 and pick up a ZE 35f1.4, that is if you feel the need for the extra stop.
-Jim
R.Young wrote:
Has anyone here compared it to a Zeiss 35 F2 or the new 1.4?
I had a few days with the new 1.4 after I shipped this one back, so not side-by-side. At first I was positive it would be no contest, which it wasn't, really. It's not like Zeiss just threw together the lens and decided they could get almost 2k on their name alone. But I would recommend every Samyang owner rent the new Zeiss and then get serious about what they would have to do in post to make up for the differences between the two. I think it will show what a fantastic value the Sammy really is.
I may have to start saving then, I don't think going from Zeiss to Samyang would feel too good, I never thought I'd care so much about build quality but I don't want to go for anything less than Zeiss now! The 1.4 is just so expensive though so will have to wait quite a while before I can take the plunge
gpop wrote:
would anyone like to comment on the feel of the focus ring, ease of operation?
possibly compare it to some common or mainstream lens?
not so much an image quality question, more about handling.
what about this lens don't you like/would change?
(I'm considering it for canon ef mount, if it matters)
Well I have very little experience with Zeisses but focus ring is large and smooth and precise to work with. I've heard people complain about Samyangs 85 for having too much resistance, and that it is very different with this. Comparing it to things like Canons own 85/1.8 or 50/1.4 it is in another league, it feels that it is a lens made for MF. Allthough the EF's mentioned are not all that bad.
Regarding ease of operation you will need to install the EG-S focusing screen. I am NOT into landscape so LV is not an option for me. The EG-S makes MF simple, but I still take 2-3 shots of any composition just as I do with AF lenses. Some gets better, (almost) all gets ok for any normal usage anyway.
Lastly, all I've heard needs to underexpose about 2/3-1 step using the Av setting. But it is not consistent and depends on overall lighting. So I always need a testshot to check the histogram quickly to see what's needed in any particular situation.
I have some full size photos in flickr, all taken with D700 and hand held. Only have it for couple days and will be posting more. Those shots are pretty much full open, i was testing the IQ at the f/1.4-2.0 apertures and bokeh.
