INDIE LENS SPECIAL
SAMYANG: THE WIDEST INDIE CHOICE S amyang has two ranges of autofocus lenses: one for general stills or movie use, plus a newer range called V-AF
purely for shooting movies. There are also four different ranges of full-frame manual focus lenses, ideal for video. For filmmaking with autofocus, the Samyang V-AF lenses offer a consistent size across the range, fast maximum aperture for shallow depth-of-field and smooth bokeh. They also enjoy a lack of focus breathing, an iris with no hard- click T stops and all-manual focus with a precise, linear and tactile feel. All these are autofocus lenses to fit Sony full-frame cameras, which are great used manually. At launch, there was a set of three – 24, 35 and 75mm. However, these are now joined by a 45mm T1.9, a 100mm T2.3 and a forthcoming 20mm T1.9 example. The Samyangs are definitely the first set of matched cine-style lenses built for filmmaking with AF. They are ideal for cameras like Sony’s A7S III, FX3 and FX30 or cinema units such as the FX6 and FX9. The lenses are very affordable and compact, on average weighing 280g/0.6lb each, so they are ideal for gimbals and drones. A new design uses quiet AF motors and works perfectly with Sony’s advanced hybrid systems. You can switch to manual focus and use the ring at the front. This is a fly-by-wire system with no hard
“The Samyangs are the first set of matched cine- style lenses built for filmmaking with AF”
- a huge benefit to AF users. The lens is designed to minimise vibration and noise and is very quiet. There is also a 24-70mm FE lens, the brand’s first AF zoom. For manual lenses, the most affordable of the cine lenses is the VDSLR Mk2 range available in 14mm T3.1, 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5 and 135mm T2.2. These feature improved weather sealing, focal lengths on both sides, a new design and nine aperture blades. They are available individually or as a set of the 24, 35, 50 and 85mm models. The Xeen range is a set of relatively large cine primes suitable for 8K capture. The range is 14mm T3.1, 16mm T2.6, 20mm T1.9, 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5, 85mm T1.5 and 135mm T2.2. They are all built with a consistent size and optical performance. A smaller, lighter set of Xeen primes, the CF range, is made with carbon-fibre composite in the lens barrel. They have a 95mm front section to fit a wider selection of matte boxes and fresh coatings to improve image quality. They are available in 16mm T2.6, 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.5 and 85mm T1.5 sizes. Samyang’s high-end range is the Xeen Premium. There is the Anamorphic 50mm T2.3 and Xeen Meister in 35mm T1.3, 50mm T1.3 and 85mm T1.3 options designed for high-end cinematography Sony E, Canon EF and PL mounts. samyanglens.com
stops, but it does have a long 300° throw. It’s better to use than most stills-style AF lenses but does not offer the type of control of a manual cine prime. The lens has a two-position switch on the side; M1 and M2. M1 is for manual focusing when the camera is set to MF. The second, M2, is used in AF and turns the focus ring into a stepless iris ring. It’s a shame the lens doesn’t have a conventional AF/MF switch like many higher-end Sony lenses, so you don’t have to dig into menus to change the focus type. The lens also has a single button on the side which acts as a focus-hold button, or you can programme it to a preset distance by holding it down for a few seconds. This can also be changed via the lens dock. Tally lights on the front and side will turn from green to red to show when recording is activated. They are sharp across the frame, but there is some vignetting when wide open as you’d expect. However, it’s actually quite attractive and can be fixed in post if you want. The bokeh is smooth, too, with none of the ‘onion ring’ effects that can appear in some lenses. For more of an all-rounder AF choice, the 50mm f/1.4 Mark II for full-frame Sonys costs £599/$589 and is just 88.9mm long, weighing 420g. Samyang now also has a second- generation 35mm f/1.4 autofocus prime for E-mount with a focus-hold button
XEEN IS BELIEVING Samyang has a huge range of lens options, from the anamorphic 2x lenses for full-frame (above) to the latest V-AF hybrid optics (top right)
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