How Good Is the Affordable Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Lens

For many photographers and filmmakers, a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of genres and shooting situations. That being said, such lenses can be quite expensive. Samyang's 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom comes in at less than half the price of most such lenses, however, making it an intriguing option for a wide variety of creatives. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice. 

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this excellent video review takes a look at the new Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom lens. Currently priced at just $899, the 24-70mm f/2.8 sits significantly below the prices of many first-party options, but it still comes with a wide range of useful features, including:

  • Three high-refractive elements for better resolution
  • Two aspherical elements for reduced distortion
  • Three extra-low dispersion elements
  • UMC coating for reduced flares and ghosting and improved contrast
  • Nine-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh
  • Linear Sonic Motor for fast autofocus
  • Customizable manual focus ring
  • Weather-sealed construction

No doubt, the 24-70mm f/2.8 has some drawbacks, but it still looks like a generally reliable lens with relatively good image quality. Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts on the lens. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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30 Comments

Impressive, now Sony users have so many great 3rd party lenses to choose from.

Hyperbole does your credibility no good.

Your jealousy is so transparent, I'm guessing you're a Sigma/Tamron "influencer".

Stick with facts and leave out "CRAP" and "full stop". The hyperbole makes you come across as a 14-year-old wannabe who just bought his first camera.

You need to look up the definition of the word "hyperbole".
Also, I didn't call anything "CRAP". I was quoting you. You called the lens "CRAP", and that is a classic example of hyperbole. And, "full stop" is an attempt to silence dissent. That ain't gonna work around here.

Hyperbole: exaggeration, overstatement
Calling the lens "CRAP" was exactly that.
I don't particularly care whether you say "full stop". But, when I see this petulant, juvenile argumentative tactic adopted, I immediately know I'm dealing with a Napoleon complex.
You're just digging the hole deeper and taking your credibility down with you.

"I'm rubber and you're glue"...
Sadly, that's the best you've got.

--- "Another Samyang product that's HEAVILY overhyped by 'influencers'"

What influencers? Overhyped how?

it's just a review of a lens that's been out since Oct 2021. Relax. You're acting like you're being forced to buy it.

--- "I've found many YT and IG influencers almost falling over themselves and salivating..."

Again, who? lol . You just keep tip-toeing around the question. Like you, I also hate false information. Folks sensationalizing with their fake anger just because they don't like a certain brand or product.

"And I am relaxed"
ROTFL. You're gonna blow a gasket at any second.

Julia Trotti for one...

She reviews lenses in the real world, not test charts. And, for what she shoots and how she shoots, her opinion is this is a fantastic lens for the money. I don't recall her "falling over herself" and "salivating" over it.

And, she pointed out the soft corners and the par focal issue.

Below image is a screen grab and even with Youtube and Fstoppers compression, looks pretty good to me. Plenty sharp and smooth bokeh. All those whinings of test-chart-twit-trolls don't come into play with these type of shoots.

I bought the Tamron G2 too, but your comments about the Samyang lens are way over the top. Nobody is "overhyping" the Samyang lens. The Samyang reviews I've seen are very balanced. The Samyang 24-70 has it's good points and it's not so good points. The Tamron G2 doesn't have 24mm, and 24mm may be more valuable to some than all of the benefits of the the G2. You can state the facts (if you really need to) without falsely calling a lens "crap". It's not crap. You don't need to justify your purchase to anyone. And you don't need to slam other people's purchases.

And, you're still not understanding. If we were put the same portrait shots side by side, you couldn't tell them apart.

C'mon man, if you know as much as think you do, you'd know the main reason the Tamron is $100 cheaper and lighter is because it's 28-75 instead of 24-70. This is great for folks that don't need a 24, and not so great for those that do. So on the flip side, one can say the Tamron is almost as expensive given you're losing the wide end.

--- "BTW, I've seen your commentary before, no respect for the likes of you."

Ditto. You're always sniveling about something. And, usually something trivial.

And, you just proved mine. lol. You poor guy.

The next time you see an article with a product you hate and you feel the need to express your opinion, simply do so without the dramatics, the theater, the lying, and the sniveling.

--- "Go get yourself a dictionary, learn the meaning of those words / phrases, and realize there was none of that from me"

LOL! The first reply you got from your initial post was because of those words.

And, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not the only one that's called you out on your bs.

Exactly: Julia's review was very balanced. Not "overhyped". She also showed what a good photographer can do with the lens, proving that it's certainly not "crap".

As for someone who actually bought this lens and tested it(got mine for 800usd on sale). It’s pretty good for portraits, love the color, bokeh and sharpness of the lens. It isn’t as sharp as my tamron 28-75 g1 from what I remember but what I’m after is the look which it is different from all other lenses in this zoom range. One big con for me is it’s weight, the thing is enormous and very front heavy.