Samyang 35mm T1 5 VDSLR AS UMC II Review | 54 Data compared

Alister Chapman's review on XDCAM-USER highlights the Samyang 24mm and 35mm T1.5 cine lenses as exceptional budget options providing sharp images, smooth, clickless iris rings, and standard 0.8 mod pitch gears comparable to high-end glass. These lenses offer 160-degree focus rotation for precise manual control and an ultra-wide T1.5 aperture capable of producing a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh, even in low-light environments. While providing great value, the lenses display slight softness at T1.5, with the 24mm being slightly softer than the 35mm, and they exhibit increased flare and ghosting with reduced contrast compared to more expensive lenses, though these issues can be easily managed with a matte box or lens hood.

This review covers the four essential focal lengths of the Rokinon Cinema Lens Kit—the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm T1.5 primes—which are considered a comprehensive kit capable of shooting an entire feature film. Designed as rehoused stills glass for professional filmmakers, these budget-conscious lenses provide exceptional value and a cinematic feel, boasting smooth focus and de-clicked iris rings with built-in gearing. Their standout feature is an incredibly fast T1.5 speed across all four focal lengths, delivering strong low-light performance and a shallow depth of field when used wide open. The lenses generally yield a low-contrast image and produce soft, circular bokeh at maximum aperture, though closing down the 8-blade iris past T3.5 transforms the bokeh into an obvious octagon shape. The kit's low price point comes with several build and optical tradeoffs, most notably a plastic housing rather than metal construction, and an inconsistent 72mm filter thread size on the 85mm lens compared to the 77mm threads on the other three. Optically, the reviewer notes that the lenses display minor distortion and chromatic aberration, but their primary weaknesses emerge when...

The Samyang VDSLR II Cine Lens kit is an affordable, high-quality solution designed to bring cinema-grade features to consumer and mirrorless filmmakers. Tested on a Sony A7S, this solid, five-lens kit—ranging from 14mm to 85mm—features professional-grade attributes that distinguish it from standard stills lenses. Key advantages include the use of precise, measured T-stops for consistent exposure across lens changes, and a clickless aperture ring that allows operators to pull iris smoothly without introducing camera vibration. Additionally, the lenses feature standard 0.8 pitch gears for follow-focus rigs, and side-mounted aperture markings that make it significantly easier for a focus puller to read measurements. From a practical standpoint, the lenses excel mechanically because they use internal focusing, meaning the lens barrel does not change length and the filter thread does not rotate. This specific design is a major benefit for cinematographers using screw-in filters or rod-mounted matte boxes. However, the review highlights a few clear drawbacks, noting that hardcore cinema buffs have complained about the lack of a professional PL mount and the inclusion of plastic components in the housing construction. Despite...