Samyang Remaster Slim (21mm, 28mm, 32mm) modular lens review

Since making this video I've had a chance to test a SECOND SET of these lenses - here's what I found. Astigmatism in the second copies was no longer present in the 21mm and 32mm lenses; the second 28mm lens was marginally sharper, and, due to strong field curvature, re-focussing can increase resolution; the second copy of the 32mm lens had marginally sharper image corners. So there weren't any MAJOR differences but the second set of the lenses did perform just a little bit sharper.

Something really new! But are these little optics any good?

It has occurred to me that picture quality issues, particularly in the image corners, could be caused by the optical modules being seated improperly into the lens body. All I can say is that I had everything inserted correctly for these tests and I didn't notice any wobbling in the module in the lens.

All pictures taken by me on Sony a7R III and a5100 cameras.

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[christopherfrost]

Greetings everyone! So, I've now had a chance to test a SECOND SET of these lenses - here's what I found. Astigmatism in the second copies was no longer present in the 21mm and 32mm lenses; the second 28mm lens was marginally sharper, and, due to strong field curvature, re-focussing can increase resolution; the second copy of the 32mm lens had marginally sharper image corners. So there weren't any MAJOR differences but the second set of the lenses did perform just a little bit sharper.

[kuroryu]

This honestly is one of the most unique lens design i have seen in a while

[Noxonomus]

I like the concept and I am glad that someone tried it even if this iteration isn't quite there yet. Hopefully it inspires further development and other attempts to do similar in the future.

[REZrblde]

Ah yes

Interchangable lenses for your interchangable lens

[Jones]

i don't mind the slightly disappointing quality here though
it's super small and a bit silly, just my kind of thing

[Paul]

Was waiting for years for a relatively bright 21mm FE pancake 😮😮😮

[coder]

When the lens was initially announced, I was hoping for a Tri-Elmar type of zoom lens, which was collapsible and small by only working at 3 focal lengths.

[Augnos]

I would totally have a fun time with lenses like these, these are such an innovative design! There’s always the possibility of higher quality version 2 lens modules and even wider or narrower focal lengths if these got popular enough.

[BaldRavenHaired]

I think samyang should invest more research into these lenses. Honestly that 35 f2.8 module with a7c would make a killer street photography combo. we need smaller lens not huge ahh dslr era beer cans !

[skazhenyj]

Such a brilliant idea to include 28mm and 32mm lenses. No comment...

[boredgrass]

I notice a general attitude of experimentation and taking risks among the "small names". I think that attitude deserves recognition. I would venture that a Samyang 135mm 1.8 can't be developed in an environment of "playing it safe". It needs a "compost" of "failed experiments" to grow to it's "full size".

[phjac]

Now that's just genuinely fascinating

[DDHDTV]

I can see the 21 mm f3.5 working great on an a6000, which still has the pop up flash. could give the disposable camera look. but at 21mm f3.5 you might as well just use the kit lens. I'd thought these Samyangs would give more of a look like with a mist filter or analog look.
that said, I think it's great they are putting out more compact lenses! everybody is in love Fuji X100V, Leica and sony A7C these days, so I think they are on the right track.

[fredsbloggs]

Hi Chris it was asked on the lens site (Opticalimits) whether you refocus the corners to find best focus with lenses which have a field of curvature is that the case or not? keep up the good work!

[dima]

I think 21 and 32 will work fine at 24mp on full frame

[TheNiskalaukaus]

I recently purchased this kit 2nd hand. The previous owned had the set for less than 6 months and I got a really good discount. Yay! I got these for our trip overseas and I wanted to have a light kit with me, so I paired these with my next-to-ancient Sony NEX-7. Talk about a pocket camera here! Good enough build quality, handling a bit fiddly at first. Worked well enough and did not raise any eyebrows while shooting as a heavier and bigger set would've likely caused. Good for street/candid shooting while walking and light to carry. The other two lenses fit nearly anywhere in their clear cases. Shot some also with Sony a7iii, again very small and compact setup. Corner softness wide open was present all the time, even with NEX-7. Not much you can do about it. Vingeting is easy to correct in post, same as the distortions. Overall, enjoyable concept and fun to use, but you have to learn and remember the limitations. Doing a quick comparison to iPhone 14 pro photos (in .jpg) and at least on the small screen of the phone, the Samyang looses a bit to iPhone. But then again, the control you have with a real camera is the deciding factor on a good number of cases. In short, I plan to keep these for use as well as a curiosity for now.

[GungKrisna]

Now they need a version exclusively for APS-C with this lens
Or:
Someone need to make a even smaller full frame mirrorless cameras

[ej_tech]

On APS-C these are 31.5mm, 42mm, and 48mm. Let's say 30mm, 40mm, 50mm equivalents
I think Samyang should explore this concept more as it distributes the cost of the electronics across three lenses. Image quality should also be less of a concern if they could keep it this small and relatively inexpensive.

[Seapatico]

I love this idea, and I’m confident some folks could create great work with these lenses, especially in a street shooting scenario. But it is a little bit of a bummer that the AF is just okay and the manual focus ring isn’t great, and the image quality is especially weak. But, for that decent 21mm alone I think the package makes some sense.

Hopefully they create another set in the future that aims more for the $600-800 price range and delivers better image quality. Perhaps manual focus? I’d be intrigued.

[mytube]

The AF wasn't fast, but very smooth and pleasant. For video work, that's what I would want rather than the fast but often jerky AF that most lenses offer.