The two major third-party manufacturers from Japan have a complete trinity of full-frame professional f/2.8 zoom lenses. Sigma has long had a complete set, and Tamron has its excellent G2 series finalized. The Chinese companies are only now venturing into the autofocusing pro zoom lens market, but Samyang, out of Korea, has worked very hard — and quickly — to complete its full set, too. With the release of the new $1,099 Samyang X Schneider Kreuznach AF 60-180mm f/2.8, that goal is realized.

This lens has some surprises up its sleeve, but the experience still feels lacking in features and refinement.

Pros

Very sharp right to the corners

Lightweight and compact

Bokeh has a pleasing rendering of backgrounds

Cons

Buttons and controls feel down-market

Basic and slower stepping autofocus motor

No optical stabilization

No aperture ring

This lens is being released for E-mount and L-mount cameras, and whether you should buy it will be highly dependent on that lens mount.

Samyang AF 60-180mm f/2.8 Buy new…