By site editor Dan Chung:
Korean lens maker Samyang are continuing to expand their range of manual focus primes lenses designed with video in mind. Their new 100mm T3.1 VDSLR ED UMC macro lens is capable of reaching 1:1 magnification and has a minimum focus distance of one foot. The 100mm length also makes it suitable for portrait shooting and nine bladed iris should give a pleasant bokeh.
The lens has a geared aperture and focus ring for use with follow focus systems. Like most cine lenses the lens is a purely manual affair with no electronic contacts with the camera body. Aperture values will not show up in the viewfinder and there is no auto iris for stills shooting.
The addition of the 100mm nicely rounds out the Samyang lens lineup which should make fans of the brand happy. It will be available in most popular mounts: Canon EOS, Nikon, Pentax K, Sony Alpha, Canon M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E, FT and MFT. You can see more details on the Samyang website.
There is also a non-cine version of the lens – a 100mm f2.8. This is essentially the same but without the cine gearing. It is also marketed under the Rokinon brand name and can be bought on the B+H Photo website. This version is also available in many different lens mounts.
