SAMYANG135mm F1.8 AF Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens for Sony E Mount Cameras, Black, (SYIO13518-E)

Read my warning and solution about firmware update at the end of this review!!!This is my dream lens. I owned the manual focus Samyang 135 f/2 version previously (Nikon F mount), I loved it was my number one lens for shooting portraits and sometimes for astrophotography. I used it for a while after switching to Sony, sold it with plans of buying the Sony version. As soon as the Samyang 135 f/1.8 came out I knew that it was going to be very sharp, and I was hoping it to be as sharp as Sony version. Reviews approved it to be.PackagingThe lens is appropriately packaged. There is a lens pouch in the box which I never use.Build QualityThe build quality is excellent, nothing feels cheap about it. Previously I used the Samyang XP series 85 f/1.2 and XP 14 f/2.4 lenses. This one has a similar feeling.Lens Hood & CapThe hood is thick and gives a very sturdy feeling and it has a softer part on the very tip, so you feel that nothing is going to chip-off when you hit it somewhere accidentally. The lens cap is a little thicker then most of my Sony lenses, that's the only negative comment I can do about the build quality.WeightThe 772 gr weight is appropriate for this kind of lens and the weight is properly distributed to the lens. I feel the body with the lens is balanced properly (not front heavy that is). The center-of-gravity is around the metallic ring which is right in the middle of the lens.Focus RingIt is super smooth, and very precise, it is not linear but there is not too much difference between rotating the ring very fast or very slow. I tried manually focusing to the moon and I'm very surprised that the ring allows doing very very fine adjustments. I'm very satisfied with it.ButtonsThe single button and the two switches on the body are appropriately placed. Though, I would say the placement of the single button is not matching with my other Sony lenses, so it kind of breaks your muscle memory. But, again it is totally in a comfortably reachable position. The button has a different feeling then the Sony lenses and the pressed distance is somewhat shorter than the Sony lenses which reduces the feedback when pressed. But I'm knit picking here, it is totally fine.AutofocusThe autofocus is excellently fast. I don't have the Sony 135 f/1.8, but the reviews I watched confirms that there are no difference between the Sony and Samyang versions. I'm very satisfied with the auto focus on my Sony A7R IV. No complains there. Tested going from 1m to infinity consequently and it is super fast. Focusing on darker conditions is also appropriately successful, though your keeper rate naturally will be reduced.Focus BreathingIt is very interesting, the lens reverse breaths. In the closest focus distance, the focal length is probably higher than 135 mm (thinking the focal length of a lens is measured when it is focused to infinity). Because the frame gets narrower, the lens zooms in a little that is. When you focus towards the infinity, the lens becomes wider. But, again, the focal length of a lens is measured when the lens is focused to infinity. So in closest distance the focal length of this lens should be higher than 135 mm. I will measure that and update this review later on.SharpnessThis is probably the sharpest lens I've ever used (think that, I'm a YouTuber and I tested a tone of lenses). Even at f/1.8 the lens is excellently sharp in the middle and the corners. The sharpness is excellent all through the frame and different focus distances, meaning that it is super sharp in the closest focus distance of 69 cm (by the way the previous manual focus version was focusing around 85 cm) to infinity. There is a very very tiny bit of axial/longitudinal chromatic aberration, very hard to see, no lateral aberration at all, no purple fringing that a can see and for astrophotography I didn't see any coma aberration (stars become cat eye shaped) so this is an excellent lens for relatively wide field astro photography.BokehExcellent, this is the reason I love this lens. The bokey is smooth (depending on the scene of course, you can still get harsh or disturbing background). In my research I saw that this lens cuts less of the bokeh balls around the corner compared to the Sony version.GhostingDidn't try putting the lens in a condition that I get ghosting. But, I expect there will be some, above normal as the lens has a huge aperture opening.Usage with Samyang Lens Dock (WARNING!!!!)I bought the Samyang Lens Dock specifically for updating the firmware of this lens and setting button functions etc. During the firmware update, around 400th step of the 631 step progress, the connection between the lens dock and the computer has been lost. I see this is a very common problem with Samyang lenses. When the connection lost, you will definitely feel like you bricked your lens, because both the computer and the camera will not recognise the lens anymore and the lens will not function (aperture blades will be locked, no autofocus etc. the lens is practically dead). Don't panic, put the lens on to the dock again, select the correct com port (it was COM3 in my case) and without clicking to the connect button (which will complain no lens found), go directly to flashing firmware section, and select the file and apply the firmware. Hopefully in the second time the firmware will be applied properly and the lens will start working again as expected. Be warned about that but stay calm. Other than that with the lens dock you can change the functionalities assigned to the button on the lens, do focus fine tuning etc. Other than the firmware update problem there were no problem with the dock and I highly suggest getting one.

Wow. All I can say is I'm super impressed with this lens. It has surpassed my expectations. The picture quality and performance mirrors that of its Sony G Master counter part at a fraction of the price. $699 compared to $2k +. This lens is phenomenal.I will say, it is on the slower side of Auto Focus but if you're doing anything but sports or fast moving objects, you'll be fine....otherwise, spend the extra money and invest on the OG G Master.

Entregou hoje pela manhã, serviço muito eficiente e produto impecável, muito bem protegido.

Build quality is very solid although I would prefer it having a metal body. This is so far my sharpest lens that I use on my A7IV. I guess the composite body helped bring down the price and weight of this lens. I rarely do portraits and yet I find the image quality very surprising. Focus is fairly good and having a close-up option of 0.69m to 2m is there when needed. Just don't cheap out on filters if you plan on using it as the image will likely suffer when you use cheap options

La calidad de imagen es superior a cualquier otro lente que he tenido estoy impactado con la calidad de imagen que ofrece esta marca, simplemente excede lls estándares de calidad tanto de enfoque como de imagen todas las fotos con este lente salen nitidas absolutamente

Lens shipped right away and arrived double boxed, brand new with Firmware Ver 5 already on it, so this must be from a fairly new batch. Testing revealed this copy is perfectly well centered, so I hope that translates to good news for everyone else that Samyang's QC is improving. Autofocus is solid and predictable, and this lens is silly sharp. The bokeh is like butter, smooth transitions. The shot of my ever-present model, my poor dog (yes, she needs a haircut, heh), was literally the very first shot with this lens wide open @ f1.8. I'm a happy camper, especially at the great sale price of $499 !