p.1 #1 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
Hi all,
I was looking for a bit of advice for my next Camera/lens combo and hoping someone may have the experience to help. I have been using the A7ii with the tamron 28-75 for the last 1.5 years and I have loved the results I have achieved with the lens. However, I have found myself shooting less and less lately, and I really want to focus on making my next setup as least cumbersome as possible to encourage me to take my camera everywhere. I want to pick up the new A7C, as I think it will be a substantial upgrade over the a7 ii, and i love the small form factor.
Now the question is what lenses to pair with it? I decided I would sell my A7ii and tamron to help finance the new camera as well as 2-3 of the samyang lenses. I am looking at the 75mm 1.8, the 35mm 1.8, and the 18mm 2.8. My biggest concern is that I have never used samyang before, and I don’t want to make a big switch to prime lenses and end up with worse image quality. I have heard from many people that they are amazing, and the sample images look nice. But I also hear some people being very critical of samyang. Do you think they will be on par with the Tamron I have been using? Lastly, do you think selling the tamron to help finance this is a solid plan, or should I hold on to it?
I’m open to any other suggestions on how to make a great FF compact setup as well.
p.1 #2 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
After my only purchase of a 24/2.8, I would not buy a Samsung again.
Two reasons:
1. Compulsory/required purchase of the wretched docking station at extra cost.
2. Poor/fragile construction.
However, if you feel compelled to buy any of their lenses, never ever buy them when they debut. Wait for at least 4-5 months after which the prices plummet at which point the extra lens docking station (that never goes on sales, btw!) for the myriad of FW upgrades they keep pumping out May become viable.
p.1 #3 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I have found the Samyang 45mm F1.8 FE mount to be an good lens
- image quality is good
- focus is not super fast, but it is reliable
- the small size is perfect
- affordable 49mm filters
- face / eye autofocus works
The small size and good image quality works for me
Time will tell if the construction fails me. But I think with a little care this lens should last.
p.1 #4 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
If you are willing to trust the construction it's unlikely that you would be disappointed in the optics. (as the others have said)
The closest AF kit that's not Samyang would be the Sony 20 1.8, Sony 35 1.8 & the 85FE 1.8. That set would cost a lot more money & you wouldn't get much optical superiority..
p.1 #6 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I have not used Samyang but I have heard many good things about the specific lenses you mention. I do have and use the Tamron 28-75 and expect you will see optical advantages with the Samyang primes. I think it is worthwhile to get the lens dock for firmware updates since those seem to come out regularly and usually improve the performance of the lens. Although I agree that the Samyang lenses are not the best for build quality I would still argue that the specific Samyang lenses you mention are a step up in build from the Tamron. Still, they are all plastic.
Only reason I would suggest keeping the Tamron is if you are ever in a situation where changing lenses is difficult. But then again if it were me and I needed a zoom for the a7c I would just use the kit zoom you can get with it and forget about the Tamron.
I wouldn't say that I dislike the images I get with the Tamron but my experience with it has made it my least enjoyed lens. However it is indispensable for my professional work. I always reach for my Sony 55 or 85 1.8 over it for any personal shooting.
p.1 #7 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I think the 18/2.8 is an incredible value for the money. The corners and edges need some stopping down past f/4 to get the best of them, but the center out to the thirds-marks is nicely sharp from wide open. I haven't used the 35 or the 75.
Another great bargain lens is the Viltrox 85/1.8. It's not quite as sharp as the FE or Batis 85, but it has the best bokeh of the three and the nicest focus transitions as well as bit less CA than the other two. It has some pincushion distortion, but applying the Batis profile in post fixes it. If you go for it, get the latest version that's light and has the best AF.
p.1 #8 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
So it took 4 tries to get one that wasn't decentered (I was this close to sending the best of the first two in for repair), but the 45 is a cheap, light walkaround prime for fair enough corners and a brilliant center coupled with reasonable bokeh and literally-in-the-woods low-light abilities.
The 85/1.4, which admittedly is not tiny, was an *excellent* 85, and I gave it to my sister when she bought an a7III to update to the Sigma.
My 35/2.8 was a pretty good use of $250 on a Black Friday and it's even tinier than the official tiny series.
p.1 #9 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I have been using the 18/45/75 for editorial work and content work. While not perfect it is hard to argue the incredible value. I beat the hell out of my A7iii with these. I shoot mostly near or on water. I like to add a Raynox 250 to the 45mm to make it a fake macro. Hope this can help in any way!
p.1 #10 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
^
Dave, I’m always impressed with your images posted on Flickr. The scenery and subjects are excellent and you always get a consistent “look” regardless of the camera or lens used.
p.1 #11 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
ggweci wrote:
^
Dave, I’m always impressed with your images posted on Flickr. The scenery and subjects are excellent and you always get a consistent “look” regardless of the camera or lens used.
You’re making a great case to reassure the OP
I really appreciate the comment. While I dream of having sets of GM lens I am just not there yet. I am eying the Samyang 85 1.4 and 14mm.
To the OP. Another great option for you is the Sony 28. Its stupid fast AF and tack sharp. TXAL62020-66 by Dave Fason, on Flickr
p.1 #12 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I was mostly disappointed by their build quality, copy variation and AF inaccuracy (especially early models) but can't complain about the optics and price.
p.1 #13 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I've used the 18 and still have the 45 f1.8 and 75 f1.8. I wouldn't judge these lenses on the earlier Samyang 24 and 35mm f2.8 (and others) models as I feel like build quality and AF have certainly improved since then.
The 18mm was definitely good value for the money, and would provide a much wider option than your 28-75mm. I bought it as a lightweight alternative to my Sigma 14-24mm and CV 21mm f1.4 but for me the size didn't outweigh the quality improvement I got from the other lenses on my A7RIV.
The 45 and 75 (and most likely the new 35 f1.8) I find quite similar. Great central sharpness from f1.8 onwards, and reliable AF. Corners never get super sharp from what I have found, but I don't generally use these lenses for landscapes. No complaints but I'm not sure they'd offer a lot more than your Tamron (apart from size and f1.8).
Is AF important? Something like the CV 40mm f1.2 might provide a significant improvement in image quality and low light options than your Tamron, and from a build quality perspective is much, much nicer.
I have all my Samyang lenses neoprene wrapped so flimsy construction isn't an issue for me. Also I do prefer the USB dock for Samyang. Not all E-mount lenses come perfect, even first party lenses. At least with Samyang I can focus tune a lens for optimal results. I was able to eek out better performance from both my 18mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.4 via this method. The rest of my Samyang glass came perfect from the factory!
p.1 #15 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
Thank you everyone for the replies so far. It has been very helpful, especially those of you who shared photos and experiences. It looks like the optical quality will definitely be satisfactory from what I’ve seen. I’m looking forward to having a small setup and getting out more. We will be getting a puppy in the spring so I will have a great subject to shoot before too long. I’m hoping the Samyang AF is able to keep up with him
p.1 #16 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I love my 85 1.4 but copy variation is a disaster. Same for 45 1.8 and others I’ve seen.
Dustin abbot has his copy of the 85 1.4 for FE now “damaged” and it’s much less sharp than it used to be, so build quality is not very good either.
The awb with my samyang is specially bad in my Sony, and the colors from the lens are not easy to manage. Add this to the not so great Sony colors, and you see what you get with most people shooting samyang lenses on Sony. Also the contrast is pretty high, but in a different way to other lenses, losing shadow detail and giving an uglier appearance sometimes. Of course when trying to recover, you get the hdr look.
They are sharp for the price, but take attention at more things beside sharpness and look at galleries shot with the lenses.
p.1 #17 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
I’m not a fan of their color cast, however, when it comes to size, they can’t be beat. I am considering pairing the Tamron 17-28 with the 75 or may call it a day with what I have. The 17-28 is a good bit smaller than the 28-75 and more tolerable. It’s better than two Samyang lenses in the range. That said, the unofficial second generation lenses are decent to good with autofocus. Build quality and feel of the product is poor.
Until someone else makes these tiny lenses, I put up with the flaws.
p.1 #18 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
It's quite a gamble. I've tried various Samyangs in store and ended up being the 135/2, but I would find it hard to use some of the other model because of the build quality and enjoyablity of using them.
Price wise they are a no-brainer but there are some hard compromises to be made. Options like the 17-28 Tamron, 40 Batis and 85 1.8 Sony might also begood options.
What makes your question all the more difficult is that you'd make a complete change from a zoom to primes only, and I would think it wise that you'd maybe try getting the 40-45mm option first and using it along side your zoom to see how you feel about it before making the big switch.
p.1 #19 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
This thread is helpful. I've been considering switching up my current kit for something lighter weight and faster. I hike a lot and already carry and underwater housing most times, so shedding some weight is very ideal.
I currently have the 16-35mm f4 and 55mm 1.8. I wanted to get a faster lens on the wide end, and a shorter MFD on the mid range. The 18mm worries me because of the corner sharpness, but it's the only lens in it's size/price range/FL. The Tamron seems much better and an extra 1mm wider (which is helpful), but bigger and more expensive. The 55mm 1.8 is obviously a great lens, but my sometimes the FL is slight too narrow and the MFD is too far.
I was considering going with:
[18mm f2.8 OR Tamron 17-28mm f2.8]
[45mm 1.8 OR 50mm 1.8]
p.1 #20 · Samyang tiny/mighty series. Will I be disappointed?
cmarkh wrote:
This thread is helpful. I've been considering switching up my current kit for something lighter weight and faster. I hike a lot and already carry and underwater housing most times, so shedding some weight is very ideal.
I currently have the 16-35mm f4 and 55mm 1.8. I wanted to get a faster lens on the wide end, and a shorter MFD on the mid range. The 18mm worries me because of the corner sharpness, but it's the only lens in it's size/price range/FL. The Tamron seems much better and an extra 1mm wider (which is helpful), but bigger and more expensive. The 55mm 1.8 is obviously a great lens, but my sometimes the FL is slight too narrow and the MFD is too far.
I was considering going with:
[18mm f2.8 OR Tamron 17-28mm f2.8]
[45mm 1.8 OR 50mm 1.8]
I had both the 16-35mm f/4 and 50/1.8 (also owned the 55mm 1.8), both swapped out for the 18mm and 45mm. If you want optimal performance I'd recommend buying the Samyang USB dock as well. I was able to tune my 18mm 2.8 to match the 16-35mm wide open and by f/4 it's superior in the entire frame. I had both lenses and AF tuned the 18mm and did side-by-side comparisons with the 16-35mm to achieve my results. Also my 45mm didn't need any tuning. I paired these two lenses with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 and those 3 lenses pretty much cover all the bases for my travel needs.
My copy of the 45mm is better than the 50mm in sharpness, but both the 50mm and 55mm will have superior OOF smoothness and rendering which works better for portraits. The 55mm by all accounts has equally good sharpness and OOF rendering, but the 55mm FL has the narrower FOV which limits it for certain shooting scenarios. The 45mm for me, makes for a better fast standard travel/street prime than a portrait lens due to it's wider FOV and overt sharpness. If you plan to shoot portraits and just want something cheaper, the Sony 50mm f/1.8 has better OOF rendering and closer MFD than the 45mm, but the 45mm offers that 5mm wider FOV which is useful for general shooting.
I brought my Sony 16-35mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8 for vacation last year. The 16-35mm saw quite a bit of use, but I would of loved to have the 18mm at the time. Also I only pulled out the 50mm a handful of times for some nice portraits. I think if I had the 45mm at the time, it would of seen more use.
FYI - If you use LR or ACR, Adobe now has profile corrections for both these lenses. The 18mm especially benefits for certain scenarios.
