Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC Lens Review

Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC Handling and Features

A mix of high quality plastics with a lightly textured finish and metal have been used for much of the lens barrel, with a metallic red ring placed just after the aperture ring, denoting this is one of Samyang's premium lenses. This lens isn’t overly heavy for one sporting a fast f/2 maximum aperture either, tipping the scales at 830g. As a result, it balances well with the Canon EOS 5D MkIII camera body used for testing.

Smooth damping makes the focus ring a pleasure to use, with it having just the right amount of resistance for applying fine focus adjustments. Closest focus is 80cm, which is fairly typical for a lens of this focal length and aperture. 77mm filters can be used with this lens and the filter thread does not rotate, which makes it ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. A deep circular hood also comes supplied with this lens as standard.

This lens has no electronic coupling with the camera, so stop down metering has to be used with the Canon camera used for testing. The camera reverts to centre-weighted metering and some automation is available in Aperture Priority mode. As this particular model of Canon camera does not give focus confirmation in the viewfinder when used with a lens with no electrical contacts, live view is the best way to ensure accurate focus. Other cameras, such as many of Nikon's high-end bodies have an electronic rangefinder, which makes focus confirmation easier through the viewfinder.

A useful and clear hyperfocal distance scale is included, but there is no hard stop included for infinity focus due to the use of ED glass in the optical design.

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