Samyang Rokinon 35-150mm F2.0-2.8 Telephoto Zoom Lens for Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.