How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
I’ve continued to look at 24/25mm lenses and considering Guy’s suggestion that AF might be a better choice in this focal length, I’ve been reading/watching reviews. The one lens that seems to tick all the boxes is the Samyang 24mm f/1.8. I only have one Samyang lens, but it means that I also have their Lens Station. When I think of Samyang I question longevity and initial centration of the lens. It is both lighter and faster than the Sigma f/2.0. It also has full weather sealing where the Sigma is only sealed at the mount. The Sigma is metal whereas the Samyang is..well..isn’t. The Samyang has a programmable toggle switch as does the Sigma, but like the Sony G and GM lenses, the Sigma has a focus hold (programmable) button. Optics seem quite good. It is heavier and larger than the Sony G lens, but like the Sigma, the bokeh is much more pleasing than the Sony G. It is smaller and lighter than the Sony f/1.4 and has similar levels of sharpness, with perhaps a bit less contrast and more vignetting and distortion. Autofocus seems fast and accurate with both human and animal autofocus. So, overall it looks like a very good small, light fast lens for the A7CR. Assuming a well centered copy, the only real downside that I see is a slight reduction in contrast compared to the GM and certainly compared to the Loxia 25mm.
