With its recent string of autofocus primes – mostly for Sony’s FE/E mount – Samyang has established itself as a mainstream contender in what is now a very competitive market: lenses for mirrorless cameras. So it makes sense that Samyang should take the next step and build its first autofocus zoom lens in the mirrorless era… and also its first 24-70mm f/2.8 model. It arrives in time to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary of its founding in 1972. Yep, Samyang is 50, but there are plenty of photographers – and videographers – just discovering what the South Korean lens maker is capable of. It flew under the radar for quite a while, but its manual focus primes – representing massive value for money given their performance and price – have earned it a loyal following among those who did discover the brand… often by accident.
Now, aided by a proactive distributor in Australia, Samyang is stepping up against the better-known Japanese independent brands in our market, and the seemingly neverending expensive, so the $1,499 price tag is a pleasant surprise – especially when Sony’s own FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master model is $2,999. The A-mount Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM zoom is now discontinued, but when you could buy one, it would set you back $2,699. Probably a more interesting price comparison is with Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, which currently has a recommended retail of $2,099. If you were thinking of buying something other than the ‘house brand’ Sony 24-70mm standard zoom, the Sigma would almost certainly be on your shopping list… and so should the Samyang.
