Rokinon 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Review

The Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 is a weird one. It's optically fantastic, but it feels like a prototype someone forgot to finish. The image quality punches way above its price, landing in the 94th percentile. That's the one thing to know: the glass is incredible. But everything else about using this lens, from the cheap build to the sluggish autofocus, reminds you why it's so affordable.

The optical performance genuinely surprised me. For $699, the sharpness and color rendering are stunning, easily competing with lenses twice the price. What also surprised me, but not in a good way, was the autofocus. It's noisy, hunts in low light, and feels a generation behind. You're getting flagship-level image quality paired with entry-level handling.

It's worth it, but only for a very specific photographer. If your priority is pure image quality on a budget and you don't mind manual focus for critical shots, this lens delivers. If you need reliable autofocus or a lens that can survive a bump, look elsewhere.

You're really choosing between this, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2. The Sony GM II is better in every single way but costs over three times as much. The Tamron is the real competitor. It's sharper than this Samyang at some focal lengths, has much better autofocus and build quality, and costs a few hundred dollars more. You pay the Tamron tax for a polished experience.

Buy this lens for its glass, not for the lens itself. It's a brilliant optical formula trapped in a mediocre body. I'd only recommend it to budget-conscious stills photographers who prioritize image quality above all else and are willing to put up with its quirks. For hybrid shooters or anyone who needs snappy AF, the Tamron 28-75mm G2 is the better buy.