Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC - Review

Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Telephoto Lens Review for Canon EF Digital SLR Cameras

As a professional product reviewer and an avid photographer, I have tested a number of lenses from different brands and for various camera models. For this review, I have focused on Samyang's 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC telephoto lens designed exclusively for Canon EF digital SLR cameras.

Features

This lens boasts of numerous features that make it a viable option for amateur as well as professional photographers. The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC is compatible with full-frame cameras, with an 18.8-degree angle of view on such cameras. If you're using an APS-C camera, the angle of view is narrower at 12.4 degrees.

The lens features Samyang Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) optics that guarantee superior optical performance. The coating helps to reduce glare and lens flares, making this Samyang lens one of the best in the market.

In terms of aperture, this lens is fast, with f/2.0 as its widest aperture, and F/22 as the smallest. The lens's nine diaphragm blades contribute to its ability to deliver a beautiful, soft focus, perfect for portraits and landscapes. Simply put, the wider the aperture, the more blurred the background, allowing the subject to stand out more.

Another feature of the Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC lens is its minimum focusing distance of 2.6ft. While this may seem too far for some, it still allows you to get closer to your subject without being too close and disturbing the scene. Additionally, the lens comes with a removable lens hood that helps to reduce flare and ghosting.

Accessories

The lens comes with a few accessories, including a pouch to store it safely, as well as front and rear lens caps to protect the glass. I appreciate the inclusion of the lens pouch, as it provides an added layer of protection while traveling.

Warranty

After purchase, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the lens comes with a one-year Samyang warranty. This means that if you encounter any problems within the warranty period, you can return it to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement.

Performance

The lens is solidly built, with a weight of 1.6 pounds. There's no sense of a flimsy or plasticky build, and the focus ring and aperture ring both have a satisfying, tactile feel. On a personal note, I found the focus ring to be precise, and it enabled me to easily achieve tack sharp focus.

I tried the lens on a Canon 5D Mark IV and was pleased with the results. When shooting wide open with f/2.0 aperture, the lens produces sharp and good details in the center of the frame, with slight blurring at the edges. When stopped down to f/4.0, the lens greatly improves the image quality, delivering a sharp image, balanced contrast, and vibrant colors. The lens is at its best when paired with a Canon full-frame camera, but also performs well on an APS-C crop-sensor camera.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Telephoto Lens guarantees excellent optical performance, thanks to its Samyang Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) elements that reduce flares and ghosting.

2. The fast F/2.0 aperture delivers beautiful, soft-focus backgrounds, creating a professional look, especially in portraiture and landscape photography.

3. It's a robust and well-built lens, with a minimum focus distance of 2.6ft, which allows you to get closer to the subjects without being intrusive.

4. The lens comes with a removable lens hood, pouch, front and rear lens caps, making it easy to transport the lens, protecting the glass, and acting as storage.

Cons:

1. While the Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC lens is compatible with both APS-C and full-frame cameras, its focal length, and aperture may seem limiting for some photographers.

2. The lens's autofocus function is not reliable, which might pose challenge beginners but can be rectified when used on manual focus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Telephoto lens is a quality product, with numerous features that make it stand out in its category. It guarantees excellent optical performance, thanks to its coating treatment. The fast aperture allows for beautiful bokeh which creates a professional look when shooting. The lens's build quality is robust, making it ideal for use in different environments. While it may have a few downsides, like its autofocus function, this lens comes highly recommended for any photography enthusiast, and is well worth the investment.

Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC

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