SAMYANG V-AF LENSES
SPECIFICATIONS
Focal length: 24mm (35mm and 75mm in brackets where different) Prices: £549/TBC (£529/$699 for 35mm and 75mm) Mount: Sony FE Image coverage: Full-frame Maximum aperture: T1.9 Aperture blades: Nine Optical construction: Ten elements in nine groups Image stabilisation: None Minimum focusing: 19cm/7.4in (29cm/11.4in, 69cm/27.2in) Focus rotation: 300° Focus breathing (∞ to 1m):
0.7% (3.1% and 11.7%) Filter diameter: 58mm Dimensions (dxl): 72.2x72.1mm/2.8x2.8in Weight: 280g/0.6lb
“At heart, these lenses boast an all- new design, using quiet AF motors that work perfectly with Sony’s advanced hybrid systems” keep focus on our regular canine AF target – increase the speed and the lenses keep up. We shot some tests of the flighty hound wide open at T1.9 on the 75mm lens, with focus maintained on his eyes. Unless you are an incredible focus puller, that would be impossible to emulate with a manual prime wide open. You can still switch to manual focus and use the ring at the front of the lens. This is a fly-by-wire ring with no hard stops, but it does have a long 300° throw. It’s better to use than on most stills-style AF lenses, but doesn’t offer the type of control of an MF cine prime. The lenses have a two-position switch on the side marked M1 and M2. M1 is for manual focusing when the camera is set to MF. The second is when the camera is used in AF, and it turns the focus ring into a stepless iris ring. Their functions
keen on Sony’s advanced autofocus systems, so these could be just what the doctor ordered – especially at the low asking price. These are definitely both affordable and compact. A set of the three on the market right now – 24mm, 35mm and 75mm – costs less than a single manual focus cine prime, even from budget brand Samyang. They’re also incredibly light at 280g/0.6lb each. That makes them ideal on gimbals and drones. Plus, 20mm and 45mm versions will follow later this year. At heart, these lenses boast an all-new design, using quiet AF
motors that work perfectly with Sony’s advanced hybrid systems. While stills shooters often value speedy motors in their AF lenses to capture fast-moving sports or wildlife, chances are with cine primes that subjects are closer and not moving quite as quick. So it’s best to slow down the AF speed in the camera menu and increase the ‘stickiness’ so they don’t hunt around for something new to focus on all the time. Let the lenses do their thing and the results are pleasingly cinematic, especially wide open. And when things do move quicker – such as trying to
NEW METAL The metallic end is marked with focal length (above). Shooting a 75mm lens
wide open (below) is a tough test, but the Samyangs nailed it
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