After the purchase of the Samyang 135mm f2 lens, and being very impressed by the image quality I decided to acquire the Samyang 100mm f2.8 Macro also in the E-mount version (I know I've said it before but I'll say it again anyway, there's no way I'm going to pay Sony the prices they're asking for their newer lenses). I did look at the Zeiss equivalent but I had to pick myself up off the floor when I saw the price of that one too. They may be excellent lenses but I'm just an amateur at this and I can't justify the asking price.
Is it heavy?. Yes. Is it big? Yes. Can I carry it around all day? Of course I can. It's not that big and heavy.
Specs:
Weight: 705g
Size: 120.6mm x 72.5mm
F: 2.8 - 32
MFD: 0.3m
Filter: 62mm
Yes this is a macro lens and I see it as a plus because I didn't purchase the lens just to have macro availability. I think it will make an excellent portrait lens and is in the range that I normally shoot, being a telephoto type of guy. For comparison look again at the Canon 100 f2.8 macro lens, it's nearly identical, just costs a little less. You can actually purchase this lens (in Germany) for €430 whereas the Canon lens will set you back €755. I also looked at the Sony 90 f2.8 macro but at €950 I let that one go. I just wouldn't be using often enough to justify the price although it's supposed to be an extremely sharp lens.
This is just an initial post about this lens and I'll be updating whenever I have the chance. Lets just call this a rolling review. It won't be an official review as such because I don't do charts at all. Just my opinion on using the lens as it should be used. To take photographs.
Here are some initial images from the lens using the Sony A7R FF camera.
Taken at f2.8 from a distance of around 2m.
Taken at f4 from a distance of around 2m.
I may have focused slightly forward of my wifes face here.
Looks like her bag is in focus. Just shows how difficult it is sometimes to get the focus point right.
The last is my favourite of this bunch.
After testing I must say the Samyang 135 f2 feels and handles a lot better than the macro. Focus is, in my opinion, more accurate on the 135 f2 but the 100 f2.8 is a macro even if I don't use it in that role. Maybe I should use it for macro shots and if I'm not mistaken the lens is not really meant to be used as a portrait/landscape lens at all. I think I'm going to have to find another lens for this purpose. The images do have something special though. Could that be the sensor?
As you see I used the Sony original A7R for these images. Although the A7RII is a much better allround camera, the images from the original A7R are superb. I just wish it wasn't so loud and clunky. It is loud and yes, it does attract attention but I still have it, have no intention of selling it and will be using it for some time to come. File size is also enough, actually more than enough for my purposes. If you can put up with the very loud shutter and no stabilisation, get one. The image quality will just blow your mind.
