Samyang Rokinon 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF Lens (Leica L) Review
The Samyang 35-150mm F2-2.8 packs a huge zoom range and a fast aperture into one heavy lens. It's a powerhouse for hybrid shooters, but you make some big trade-offs.
Overview
This Samyang Rokinon 35-150mm F2.0-2.8 is a lens that tries to do it all. It gives you a massive zoom range from a wide 35mm to a tight 150mm, and it does it with a super bright f/2.0-2.8 aperture. That means you can shoot in low light and get that creamy background blur across the whole range.
It's built for hybrid creators, with features like linear manual focus and programmable buttons specifically for video. And with weather sealing in 11 spots, it's ready to go out in the rain or dust. It's a heavy piece of glass at over 3.4 pounds, but that's the trade-off for this much range and speed.
Performance
This lens is a powerhouse for versatility and low light, scoring in the 93rd and 96th percentiles for those traits. The image stabilization is also top-notch at the 92nd percentile, which is a huge help for handheld video and photos. But there are some compromises. The autofocus is just average, landing in the 48th percentile, so it might not keep up with fast action perfectly. And the overall optical quality is in the lower third, so don't expect it to be as sharp as a prime lens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (96th percentile) 98th
- Strong versatility (93th percentile) 93th
- Strong stabilization (92th percentile) 76th
- Strong aperture (68th percentile) 68th
Cons
- Below average build (4th percentile) 22th
- Below average optical (33th percentile)
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Standard Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 150 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 18 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 330 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.7 |
Value & Pricing
At around $1150, this lens asks a lot. You're paying for that incredible zoom range and fast aperture in one package, which is rare. If you're a hybrid shooter who needs one lens to do the work of three, it could save you money in the long run. But you have to be okay with the weight and the fact that the autofocus and optical quality aren't class-leading.
vs Competition
This lens is in a weird spot. It's not competing with primes like the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, which will be much sharper. And it's not a lightweight travel zoom like the Panasonic 14-140mm. Its real competition is other fast zooms. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is cheaper and faster, but it's just one focal length. This Samyang's whole pitch is convenience. You give up some optical perfection and carry more weight, but you get an entire kit in one lens. For a run-and-gun video shooter or an event photographer, that trade-off might be perfect.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF Lens (Leica L) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens (Nikon Z) | Panasonic Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II | Sony YONGNUO Upgraded YN50MM F1.8S DA DSM II Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35-150mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 16-50mm | 14-140mm | 50mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 1315 | 544 | 281 | 329 | 27 | 249 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | — | STM |
| Lens Type | Standard Zoom | Zoom | — | Zoom | Telephoto | — |
Verdict
Buy this lens if you're a hybrid creator or event photographer who needs one lens to cover everything from wide shots to portraits. The speed and range are unbeatable for the price. But if you're a pixel-peeping landscape photographer or need lightning-fast autofocus for sports, look at a sharper prime or a dedicated telephoto zoom instead.