Regarding autofocus issues on closed apertures in dim studios you should use "Live View Display - Setting Display OFF" regardless the lens being used. This is the first thing you should do entering a studio. With this setting focusing will be performed with a fully open aperture no matter what the aperture setting is.
A very nice review, straight to the point, and not to mention that I had the chance to meet the Portretista himself in the flesh, and I can vouch that he is as cool in the real world as he is in the digital one. Kudos and keep up the wonderful work, brother!
I bought the Samyang 135mm f1.8 AF. And so far it has worked flawless! Even with a few bumps. It's also important to make sure to update the firmware whenever there are updates available. If you are having focus problem with this lens or other Samyang lenses... This can be solved with a firmware update ✌️✌️
Very interesting. I juste received a Rokinon 135mm and doing some tests now. Many thanks for information you share. Also you are a good présenter and you avec is cool!!!
No photo examples? I don't really think you can compare a 135 and a 50! So different. 135 takes great headshots if you're going for that glamor look. Lots of compression and sweet Bokeh.
Yeees yess I am just messing around sir. For sure it depends on the photographer which focal range is "better" ... And this is why I bought this 135 - it has it's purposes... There are some examples indeed :)
I’ve had a problem with a Samyang 35mm f/1.4 (version 1) which “dropped” in its bag and stopped working. It wasn’t dropped from large height, just a few centimeters and it was in a padded bag. It was a bit disappointing. Samyang did replace it straight away. I replaced the lens with the 35mm f1.4 GM as the version II of Samyang was hardly different from the first edition.
In a facebook group many people attacked me because of my statement of "fragile lens" but after all you can see and feel the build quality between Samyang and G Master sony lenses. However the Tamron lenses for sony are even worse in that department (sorry Tamron). Did try the 35 GM for a wedding day. I wanted to challenge my self and shot the whole wedding with. There is indeed something really magical in this lens I thing something in the falloff... Any way this summer I am going to buy the 35 from samyang or the 24-70 from samyang just to have something as a backup because what I will do if my 50 decide to break somehow?!
@@Ratabavlaski Hey! Yes but did not cover it... It was like 100 euros to be repaired but the bigger problem was the waiting. And of course after they opened it now I got some dust inside I realized...
@Portretista can you do a part 2 of this lens? I just bought the lens and I have the same Sony 7IV like you!. I would like to know your setting, advice, thoughts!
I picked this lens up recently and used it for a puppy session. The autofocus is I'd say as expected, its ok, but not as fast as the GM. I think most won't have any issues with it for portrait sessions with some movement. For sports, you'll have a lower hit rate but you can use it in a pinch. As many have commented, the image quality is quite amazing! The build quality is kinda ehhh with most of the switches being kinda of cheap feelings. The choices of the build however do make it a very light lens compared to any other AF 135 1.8.
Hey man, great video! It's been 7 months since this video, have you got around to making the seperate video regarding the AF issues with your samyang lenses yet?
There is another problem with this lens. It has a circular shape over bright lights between f1.8-3.5 and goes away by f4. That's a bummer indeed for low light shooters and street photographers. Didn't you had the rear lens cap on at the time of the fall? If you didn't then the build quality is not a problem. it was simply a user error by your side
Hey thank you for watching! Never used the lens closed down in a condition to see the shape of the bokeh and what you say is very interesting! Also yes the cap was not there and I totally agree it is my fault. However kinda disappointed from the situation not the lens...
@@MladenBorisovPhoto well.. It happened to my Sony 90 2.8 Macro.. and it just landed on the ground with grass.. and guess what? the bayonette just got separated from the lens with broken screws.. it was not even 1.5 metre high. So i wouldnt blame the built quality because sh.. hapens with every producer.
I spit my drink out when you said send a message with a pigeon 😂. But thanks for this I’ve been juggling the Sony or this one, I think I am going to buy it and try it.
@@MladenBorisovPhoto not sure if you want an update but this lens has became my favorite in my bag, I ended up sending back my Sony 85mm and keeping this one
I bought a Samyang 135mm 1.8 back in 2022 for my A7IV and ended up sending it back. The IQ was fantastic, but the weather seal gasket on the mount was almost nonexistent. Upgrading firmware was scary as well. In the middle of the update, the lens just disconnected and got bricked. After some online research, I found a work around and got it to update to version 4 from the stock 2. My Sigmas, Sonys, and Tamrons are tons more reliable then the Samyang lenses in this regard. Anyone considering the Samyang 35-150, save a little more and purchase the Tamron version. The quality and ease of use are well worth the extra $$$$ along with the warranty Tamron offers. Tamron is better supported by Sony bodies due to Sony having financial interest in Tamron.
Thanks for the question! I do not speak about the video features of the lens but sure it has some! Almost all of my youtube content is shot on Samyang 50 1.4 II. This lens I believe has the same focus motor which is a plus because it is not a bad motor and a minus because of the longer focal length that could benefit a lot with at least one more motor. However the video autofocus of the lens is also performing very good. The eye af is near perfect. Only a running person or a subject toward the lens would be a little hard to keep up but everything else is absolutely acceptable. Anyway if you shoot anything other than talking head I do encourage you to use MF :)
To me the skin tone of the GM was in a compliment with the Sony cameras meaning just a little more to the greenish side. The Samyang however brings back a little more magenta which balance out the photo I suppose. However I edit my photos in a way that any of this does not really matter because of the edit style...
After 5.6 but now I realise it is only when the light is very dim for a reason. Shutter drags and long exposure for example because there were people asking why I close so much...
Здравей! В момента съм пред голяма дилема. Имам Тамрон 35-150 f2-2.8 и се чудя дали да си купя този Самянг. Тамрона е супер качествен обектив, но много ме изкушава това 1.8. Какво ще кажеш?
Здравей! Благодаря за гледането и се извинявам за забавения коментар много дълго време имах проблеми с нотификиациите на тубата.... Сигурно вече може да си взел решението и да си купил нещо, но аз бих ти казал, че твоят обектив на 150мм със сигурност маже фона не по-малко от Самянга на 135 мм. Печелиш единствено светлосила и няколко крачки по-близо до обекта си нищо повече :)
Absolutely not. My Nikon (or insert other big brand here) one is far better, cause I proudly paid 400% the price of this one for 2% improved image quality and great features like full metal body. Very useful for weight-training I will have you know.
Regarding autofocus issues on closed apertures in dim studios you should use "Live View Display - Setting Display OFF" regardless the lens being used. This is the first thing you should do entering a studio. With this setting focusing will be performed with a fully open aperture no matter what the aperture setting is.
A very nice review, straight to the point, and not to mention that I had the chance to meet the Portretista himself in the flesh, and I can vouch that he is as cool in the real world as he is in the digital one. Kudos and keep up the wonderful work, brother!
Purchased one for my A7RV. This lens makes the 61mp sensor really shine! This copy has great weather sealing so there are variations in QC.
Very nice review. Think I'll spend a bit more and get the GM.
I bought the Samyang 135mm f1.8 AF. And so far it has worked flawless! Even with a few bumps. It's also important to make sure to update the firmware whenever there are updates available. If you are having focus problem with this lens or other Samyang lenses... This can be solved with a firmware update ✌️✌️
Thank you!!
What bumps did you encountered with this lens?
@@felz4468 accidentally hitting things with the lens while mounted to the camera.... It's a big size lens
Very interesting. I juste received a Rokinon 135mm and doing some tests now. Many thanks for information you share. Also you are a good présenter and you avec is cool!!!
Thank you so much!
No photo examples? I don't really think you can compare a 135 and a 50! So different. 135 takes great headshots if you're going for that glamor look. Lots of compression and sweet Bokeh.
Yeees yess I am just messing around sir. For sure it depends on the photographer which focal range is "better" ... And this is why I bought this 135 - it has it's purposes...
There are some examples indeed :)
I’ve had a problem with a Samyang 35mm f/1.4 (version 1) which “dropped” in its bag and stopped working. It wasn’t dropped from large height, just a few centimeters and it was in a padded bag. It was a bit disappointing. Samyang did replace it straight away.
I replaced the lens with the 35mm f1.4 GM as the version II of Samyang was hardly different from the first edition.
In a facebook group many people attacked me because of my statement of "fragile lens" but after all you can see and feel the build quality between Samyang and G Master sony lenses. However the Tamron lenses for sony are even worse in that department (sorry Tamron). Did try the 35 GM for a wedding day. I wanted to challenge my self and shot the whole wedding with. There is indeed something really magical in this lens I thing something in the falloff... Any way this summer I am going to buy the 35 from samyang or the 24-70 from samyang just to have something as a backup because what I will do if my 50 decide to break somehow?!
Hi. Was it under warranty?
@@Ratabavlaski Hey! Yes but did not cover it... It was like 100 euros to be repaired but the bigger problem was the waiting. And of course after they opened it now I got some dust inside I realized...
@@Ratabavlaski yes it was under warranty.
@Portretista can you do a part 2 of this lens? I just bought the lens and I have the same Sony 7IV like you!. I would like to know your setting, advice, thoughts!
I picked this lens up recently and used it for a puppy session. The autofocus is I'd say as expected, its ok, but not as fast as the GM. I think most won't have any issues with it for portrait sessions with some movement. For sports, you'll have a lower hit rate but you can use it in a pinch. As many have commented, the image quality is quite amazing! The build quality is kinda ehhh with most of the switches being kinda of cheap feelings. The choices of the build however do make it a very light lens compared to any other AF 135 1.8.
Hey man, great video! It's been 7 months since this video, have you got around to making the seperate video regarding the AF issues with your samyang lenses yet?
There is another problem with this lens. It has a circular shape over bright lights between f1.8-3.5 and goes away by f4. That's a bummer indeed for low light shooters and street photographers. Didn't you had the rear lens cap on at the time of the fall? If you didn't then the build quality is not a problem. it was simply a user error by your side
Hey thank you for watching! Never used the lens closed down in a condition to see the shape of the bokeh and what you say is very interesting! Also yes the cap was not there and I totally agree it is my fault. However kinda disappointed from the situation not the lens...
@@MladenBorisovPhoto well.. It happened to my Sony 90 2.8 Macro.. and it just landed on the ground with grass.. and guess what? the bayonette just got separated from the lens with broken screws.. it was not even 1.5 metre high. So i wouldnt blame the built quality because sh.. hapens with every producer.
@@jarekblaminsky True story...but still I got even more pathetic situation with my 50 and found out the bolts are tighten to a plastic...
I spit my drink out when you said send a message with a pigeon 😂. But thanks for this I’ve been juggling the Sony or this one, I think I am going to buy it and try it.
LOL Thanks for watching!
@@MladenBorisovPhoto not sure if you want an update but this lens has became my favorite in my bag, I ended up sending back my Sony 85mm and keeping this one
@@Newage_Photos I thing it is a good decision of you! For sure with 135 you can make more impactful photography :)
Excellent video. I wonder how the build compares to the more lightweight Sony lenses like the 85 1.8
Thank you so much for watching! I think they are kinda similar (got the 85 1.8. for a long time)
Great lens, love it. What I dislike and no one talks about: af on an fx6 does not work.
Thank you for watching! Wooow this is epic fail how does it come?!
I bought a Samyang 135mm 1.8 back in 2022 for my A7IV and ended up sending it back. The IQ was fantastic, but the weather seal gasket on the mount was almost nonexistent. Upgrading firmware was scary as well. In the middle of the update, the lens just disconnected and got bricked. After some online research, I found a work around and got it to update to version 4 from the stock 2. My Sigmas, Sonys, and Tamrons are tons more reliable then the Samyang lenses in this regard. Anyone considering the Samyang 35-150, save a little more and purchase the Tamron version. The quality and ease of use are well worth the extra $$$$ along with the warranty Tamron offers. Tamron is better supported by Sony bodies due to Sony having financial interest in Tamron.
Any recent FW updates that help with AF-C?
Samyang for its price is like second to none. Great lens. why fringing is even consideration, its only one click and done.
Great informative video
If the Samyang 50mm 1.4 II is better than the 135, then I am definitely taking a pass on the 135.
Well they are very different to compare... I mean they are for different needs but after all 85% of mi pics are taken with the 50 mm...
Sir tell how it works while shooting video?
Thanks for the question! I do not speak about the video features of the lens but sure it has some! Almost all of my youtube content is shot on Samyang 50 1.4 II. This lens I believe has the same focus motor which is a plus because it is not a bad motor and a minus because of the longer focal length that could benefit a lot with at least one more motor. However the video autofocus of the lens is also performing very good. The eye af is near perfect. Only a running person or a subject toward the lens would be a little hard to keep up but everything else is absolutely acceptable. Anyway if you shoot anything other than talking head I do encourage you to use MF :)
Ty very much 😊
how is skintone differ between samyang and sony 135mm?
To me the skin tone of the GM was in a compliment with the Sony cameras meaning just a little more to the greenish side. The Samyang however brings back a little more magenta which balance out the photo I suppose. However I edit my photos in a way that any of this does not really matter because of the edit style...
Send a message with a pigeon, I raise pigeons for showing. Now that was funny.😅
LoL :)))
At what aperture does the CAF stop working?
After 5.6 but now I realise it is only when the light is very dim for a reason. Shutter drags and long exposure for example because there were people asking why I close so much...
Здравей! В момента съм пред голяма дилема. Имам Тамрон 35-150 f2-2.8 и се чудя дали да си купя този Самянг. Тамрона е супер качествен обектив, но много ме изкушава това 1.8. Какво ще кажеш?
Здравей! Благодаря за гледането и се извинявам за забавения коментар много дълго време имах проблеми с нотификиациите на тубата.... Сигурно вече може да си взел решението и да си купил нещо, но аз бих ти казал, че твоят обектив на 150мм със сигурност маже фона не по-малко от Самянга на 135 мм. Печелиш единствено светлосила и няколко крачки по-близо до обекта си нищо повече :)
@@MladenBorisovPhoto Мерси, абе взех Самянга и не съжалявам, благодаря за отговора :)
Казват сега, че Самянг ще пускат клонинг на твоя Тамрон... Ще бъде много интересна съпоставка :) Успех!!
Absolutely not. My Nikon (or insert other big brand here) one is far better, cause I proudly paid 400% the price of this one for 2% improved image quality and great features like full metal body. Very useful for weight-training I will have you know.
Dude get rid of this annoying background music.
Thank you for watching and for your suggestion for sure I will consider it since you are not alone!
hubavo video az sa6to mnogo si go haresvam toya obektiv
Thank you!