Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 FE lens is $500 cheaper than Tamron’s
Apr 8, 2023
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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In September 2021, Tamron announced their 35-150mm f/2-2.8 DI III VXD lens for Sony FE. It was an odd focal length range and even odder that it had a variable aperture. Well, now, Samyang’s announced the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens for Sony FE mount, and it seems to be quite a bit cheaper. Samyang claims their optical formula, which is different to the Tamron, provides superior sharpness right to the edge.
Photographer and YouTuber Tom Calton has had his hands on one for a little and has posted a review of the new Samyang, comparing it to the Tamron. It’s a good, in-depth comparison between the two and looks at a lot of different features. It’s clear that the design of the Samyang is heavily inspired by the Tamron, but it does have some unique features.
The lens is f/2 at its shortest focal length of 35mm and f/2.8 at its maximum of 150mm and hits a number of popular focal lengths throughout its range. Samyang doesn’t say exactly how the aperture changes throughout the range, though. So, how soon that maximum f/2 aperture jumps to f/2.8 is unknown. Even stopping down to f/2.8, though, it’s a good all-rounder lens that should work well for everything from landscapes to portraits and perhaps even close-up wildlife.
Specs
The Samyang is very close to the Tokina in specs. It’s of a similar size and weight, and has a similar array of buttons and switches – in similar locations – although the Samyang does have an extra button or two. Despite claiming a different optical makeup, they both offer the same minimum focus distance at the short and long ends.
| Focal Length | 35-100mm |
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Format Compatibility | Full-Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Optics | 21 elements in 18 groups |
| Minimum focus distance | 33cm (wide) / 85cm (Tele) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2-2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16-22 |
| Angle of view | 61.8° – 16.4° |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Stabilisation | No |
| Filter Size | 82 mm (front) |
| Dimensions | 92.8 x 157.4mm |
| Weight | 1,224g |
As an all-rounder lens, it seems to tick all the on-paper boxes. And despite being significantly less expensive than the Tamron, it’s still not a low-budget lens by any means. So, for what it costs, one would certainly hope that it made for a good all-rounder.
Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Competition
Naturally, the biggest competition here is the aforementioned Tamron. Both lenses appear very similar in specs, size and weight but differ quite a bit in price. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD costs $1,899 while the new Samyang is currently listed on the Samyang website for $1,399. That’s a significant difference in price between the two and one that will attract many would-be Tamron customers away and towards Samyang.
One advantage the Samyang may appear to have over the Tamron, though, is edge sharpness. All manufacturers boast “edge-to-edge sharpness” these days, but from looking at the tests in Tom’s video above, the real story is a little different. Both lenses do appear to be sharp in the centre. However, the Tamron clearly goes a bit wonky as it goes out towards the edge while the Samyanga maintains its sharpness throughout.
Of course, Tom’s got a hand-picked pre-production lens straight from Samyang for his review. So, I’d be keen to see if this level of edge sharpness is consistent in the real world once the mass-manufactured lenses are in the hands of paying customers.
Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Price and Availability
The Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is available to pre-order now for $1,399 from the Samyang website. The company hasn’t said exactly when the lens will start to ship, but they do state on their website that they “will fulfill [sic] the item as soon as it becomes available”.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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27 responses to “Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 FE lens is $500 cheaper than Tamron’s”
I have shot with the Tamron 35-150/2-2.8 and did not experience such bad blur of the periphery at long distances as you show in the video. Perhaps your copy is misaligned and needs to be adjusted for spherical aberration? I used to be a Tamron repair tech and worked on that lens. The bokeh test also should have been similar to the Samyang’s, as I remember the Tamron also had a very slight onion ring pattern to its bokeh in my images.
Nikon z?
Kklim Lim Zhan Fu Ivan Sim]
If it won’t be falling apart like the 24-70 2.8 than 👍🏻
And probably $500 lower in IQ
Martin Czermak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iGPxYYDj2g&t=7s
Štefan Podolinský do you know Tom Calton personally? Not? Why do you believe then? Have you get some valid evidences from him? Not? Why do you believe still? Is it possible that you want to believe what he says without to know if its true or not?
Martin Czermak How do you know I believe him? It is just one of the first reviews…
Štefan Podolinský
Only Sony
Douglas Kelley the Tamron is 💯
Douglas which Sony is 35-150 f2-2.8?
1000€
Tamron 👍, Samyang 👎. I wouldn’t buy a Samyang if they gave it to me for free.
Joe Paul come on don’t be posh! The Koreans are so successful at ripping off the Japanese, they do it in nearly every consumer industry! And they pass the savings on to us, I’m here for it!
Joe Paul Samyang has really been stepping up their game lately.
Drew, save all you want. I already have the Tamron. If you want to support a knockoff lens, go for it.
Joe Paul from a certain perspective. Tamron was the knock off lens. They are called 3rd party lenses for a reason 😅
Joe Paul it’s not buying it if you get it for free. Also they have the same quality as tamron.
Joe Paul aha! Sour grapes cause you already spent more. That makes more sense
Matt, not a chance. I have never seen a Samyang or Rokinon lens that has the same quality as Tamron or Sigma.
Matt, no sour grapes. I have the original, not a cheap knockoff where they probably stole the design.
Joe Paul they did copy the design. As most companies do. And it is less expensive.
Those are two benefits though. Always better to be the second eyes on a design and work out any kinks.
It reviews really well, so there isn’t anything to complain about unless you spent too much
Joe Paul Well, it’s never too late to see your first.
Matt Hodel Not copied. The optical design is different. Different amount of lens groups, and the lens is parfocal. Only the 2nd parfocal mirrorless lens ever made (the first is also a Samyang!).
Besides, do you think the Japanese invented lens design? They cribbed off the Europeans.
Joe Paul 100% unique design to Samyang. It’s actually optically superior to Tamron’s, being parfocal. That means the lens has to do almost no work while zooming and focusing at the same time.
Joe If you get it for free, let me know and I can send you my address.