Samyang has announced an update to its compact cine lens range with the new VDSLR Mk2 series cine lenses. To start the new series, Samyang has focused on four of the most popular and most used focal lengths at 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, and each of them has a fast maximum T1.5 aperture. A fifth 14mm T3.1 lens will be added in Q1 2021.
The VDSLR line from Samyang was first launched in 2014 and has proven to be quite popular for its balance of quality, price and performance. Samyang says they’ve learned a lot in that time and the Mk2 generation features “useful new features” and they’re available in seven different mounts (including Sony E and Canon RF).
The new lenses come with a new and consistent design. They’re lightweight but weather-sealed, with distance scales that can be read from both sides to help focus pullers, Rather than making this a huge post with a bunch of individual specs charts for each, here’s a comparison table for all four of them side-by-side.
| VDSLR 24mm T1.5 | VDSLR 35mm T1.5 | VDSLR 50mm T1.5 | VDSLR 85mm T1.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 35mm | 50mm | 85mm |
| Max transmission | T1.5 | T1.5 | T1.5 | T1.5 |
| Format | Full-Frame | Full-Frame | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Optics | 13 elements in 12 groups | 12 elements in 10 groups | 9 elements in 6 groups | 9 elements in 7 groups |
| Angle of view | 84.1° FF / 65.3° S35 / 61.3° 1.5x APS-C / 47.6° MFT | 63.1° FF / 47.1° S35 / 43.9° 1.5x APS-C / 33.4° MFT | 46.2° FF / 33.7° S35 / 31.3° 1.5x APS-C / 23.6° MFT | 28.4° FF / 20.6° S35 / 19.1° 1.5x APS-C / 14.4° MFT |
| Min focus distance | 0.25m | 0.3m | 0.45m | 1.1m |
| Filter diameter | 77mm | 77mm | 77mm | 77mm |
| Diaphragm blades | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Focus throw | 139° | 146° | 150° | 140° |
| Aperture throw | 48° | 48° | 48° | 48° |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mounts | Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon F, Canon EF-M, Fuji X, MFT | Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon F, Canon EF-M, Fuji X, MFT | Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon F, Canon EF-M, Fuji X, MFT | Canon EF, Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon F, Canon EF-M, Fuji X, MFT |
| Weight | 587.0-662.6g | 723.8-802.8g | 514.8-590.6g | 549.2-626.4g |
The “Mk2” models do appear to be different from the currently available “VDSLR II” modes – which could get somewhat confusing, although it would explain why a bunch of them seem to be on sale at B&H right now.
All four of the new lenses (and presumably the 14mm that’s coming next year) are available in seven different lens mount options including Nikon F, Canon EF, Canon EF-M, Canon RF, Sony E, Fuji X and Micro Four Thirds.
Price for the new VDSLR Mk 2 lenses in the UK will range from £399.99 to £639.99. US Prices coming soon. Find out more about them on the Samyang website.
When Samyang is bringing so many quality budget lenses into the market, why can’t they make some budget anamorphic lenses??