Candid Street Moment Awarded POTW Accolade
The image, titled “Together” by ePz member timbo, shows a couple sitting close to each other between two large stone columns. They look relaxed and unaware of the camera, which adds to the natural feel of the moment. Their closeness is clear in the way they lean into one another, showing how comfortable they are together. The colour in the photo suits the setting well, giving the scene a soft and calm look.
It’s a straightforward image, but it says a lot. It captures a real moment of two people enjoying each other’s company, and that simplicity is what makes it stand out.
Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2026, we’ll crown our 2025 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!
Christmas Prize Draw 2025 Day 8 - Win 1 of 3 Datacolor SpyderPros!
The new SpyderPro version, released in early November, goes far beyond standard display calibration. Supporting ultra-bright displays up to 12,000 nits — including OLED, QD-OLED, mini-LED and Apple Liquid Retina XDR — it introduces a range of advanced workflow features designed to help photographers, videographers and creators work faster and more precisely.
3D LUT Export – A Workflow RevolutionSpyderPro is the first device in its class to offer 3D LUT (.cube) export, delivering highly accurate calibration for compatible video monitors. This makes it an ideal tool for professional video and cinema environments.
3D LUT technology is widely used in the film industry for non-linear colour adjustments, such as warming skin tones or cooling shadows. Loading a 3D LUT onto a compatible video monitor (e.g., Atomos) has never been a challenge. The real issue—until now—was affordable calibration of these monitors.
The Challenge: Video monitors that are not permanently connected to a computer cannot rely on ICC profiles for colour management. To calibrate them, the monitor must be recognized by calibration software, measured, and then provided with colour correction values in the form of a 3D LUT.>
The Solution with SpyderPro: Connect the monitor via HDMI to a computer running Spyder calibration software. The software detects the monitor and allows you to select it for calibration. After measurement, export the colour correction as a 3D LUT file to an SD card and insert it into the monitor. In order to do so, the monitor must support 3D LUTs and have a suitable interface (e.g., HDMI).
YouTube videos:
Calibration of various Atomos video monitors with Datacolor SpyderPro / 3D LUT Export
OLED TV calibration and application of colour correction via 3D LUT using a Blackmagic SDI/HDMI micro converter.
Device Preview™ Plus — A New Level of Colour ConfidenceThe new Device Preview Plus feature allows creators to simulate how their content will appear across devices and media — from smartphones and tablets to laptops, projectors or prints —directly on a calibrated display.
It goes far beyond basic soft proofing, offering side-by-side comparisons, pixel sampling, gamut warnings, batch conversion and enhanced export options. Hence, profiles are neatly organized into three groups:
-
Display Profiles – To preview your image in AdobeRGB, select the corresponding profile under Display.
-
Mobile Profiles – To preview your images on smartphones or tablets, check the Mobile section — it includes ICC profiles for many popular devices.
-
Printer Profiles – For a classic soft proof, go to Printer Profiles.
Images can be exported directly from the application with any chosen ICC profile applied.
Content Credentials (C2PA) – Safeguarding Creative IntegrityWith digital content spreading faster than ever — and with AI-generated imagery on the rise — proving authorship and originality has become a critical issue. SpyderPro now integrates Content Credentials, embedding tamper-resistant metadata into images and videos. This metadata documents authorship, edit history and file provenance in a format recognised by the C2PA standard. It is part of the DevicePreview™ application.
For photographers, Content Credentials add a new layer of professionalism. Every exported file carries a secure digital trail, supporting licensing, commercial production, portfolio authenticity and the protection of creative reputation.
Content Credentials are more than metadata: they represent a future-proof investment in a media landscape where trust, authorship and authenticity matter more than ever.
Today's Prize Win 1 of 3 Datacolor SpyderPros!SpyderPro redefines what a calibration device can be. More than just flawless color accuracy, it delivers revolutionary power with tools no one else has, and transforms entire workflows.
Perfect for: Video, Film, Broadcast, 3D animation, Professional Photography, Digital Design, Content Creation
As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.
Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.
[PRIZE_ENTRY]7008[/PRIZE_ENTRY]
Tips On Photographing Lakes And Rivers In Winter
Water in the landscape makes a great photograph at any time of the year but in winter, after we've had heavy rainfall or fog's settled in, lakes and rivers suddenly take on a new look that's well worth braving the cold to capture.
Photo by David Clapp - www.davidclapp.co.uk
Be Prepared
Heading out early on a winter's morning usually means rather cold temperatures will be waiting to embrace you. As a result, make sure you're dressed for the weather before you head out of your door.
You also need to be extra cautious when walking around the edges of lakes and rivers as after a night of heavy rainfall or on really cold mornings when there's still ice on the ground, surfaces will be very slippy and you don't want you and your kit getting a soaking.
A wonky horizon will spoil any stunning winter landscape so double-check your frame to make sure your river, lake or pond doesn't look like it's about to slide out of the scene. Most tripods feature a spirit level, but you can also purchase hotshoe spirit levels that fix to the top of your camera to help you spot when your horizons aren't quite straight.
Deep Freeze – Frozen Surfaces
When temperatures stay very low for long periods of time large bodies of water begin to freeze giving you the chance to capture shots of our landscape almost frozen in time.
If it's cold but not quite cold enough to freeze lakes do as John Gravett suggested and take a closer look to the rocks the water's falling over. John said: "Although the temperature may not be low enough to freeze the moving water, where it splashes up over rocks and grass at the edge of the stream, it forms almost crystalline shapes. A long shutter speed will contrast the moving water with the icy margins, and the corresponding small aperture will give you a wide depth of field, ensuring front to back sharpness."
A few days of heavy rain or melting snow will cause rivers to swell and a torrent of water can be seen flowing down them. You can freeze the water's motion with quick shutter speeds, capturing the spray, the white of the waves and the river's rapid movement or slow your shutter speeds down (try exposures of around 5 seconds) to turn the fast moving water into smooth, silky streaks.
You may need to fit an ND filter to your lens to get the slower shutter speeds needed for this technique to work and to emphasise the difference between the light and dark parts of the water consider using a polarising filter. A polariser will cut down on the glare that comes back off the water, particularly on sunny days when you're more likely to find it a problem. Don't forget to pack your tripod either as you won't be able to hand-held your camera when using exposure times that are a few seconds long without shake spoiling your shot.
Photo by David Clapp - www.davidclapp.co.uk
Mist And FogIn winter, misty or foggy mornings are quite common and if you live near a lake, reservoir or large pond, mist/fog rolling across the large body of water can add an extra layer of interest and eeriness to your shot. Fog begins to form in the evening and lingers until the following morning but it doesn't usually hang around all day so make sure you're up and out of your house early.
Mist lowers the contrast of light, softening any objects that are in your frame so make sure you have strong, recognisable subjects around the water's edge. If you're shooting a long shot mist / fog can create a sense of mysticism as objects that are some distance from your lens begin to vanish or appear silhouetted, turning what could be a mundane scene into something interesting.
If you find your shots have a few exposure problems it's probably because your camera sees a scene that's all bright instead of having a dark ground and light sky, as they do with snow scenes, so you'll have to use + exposure compensation to rectify this.
A bonus of getting up early is the water's more likely to be still which gives you the perfect opportunity to shoot some winter-themed reflections. Bare trees reflected in lakes dotted with boats and mist crawling across it will always be a winning winter shot. Don't overlook warm sunrises / sunsets either as they can add interesting contrast to a stark winter scene and looked great when reflected in water.
Make sure you pack an ND Grad Filter as you'll find that the reflection will look darker than the 'real' scene that's creating it. If you line up the darker part of the filter so it sits over the sky and finishes at the shoreline, you'll produce a shot that appears to balance to the exposure of the bright sky/surroundings with the reflection.
Christmas Prize Draw 2025 Day 7 - Win Exclusive 3DWiggle Packages
Create and view outstanding 3D images without special equipment!
Make your visuals stand out with dynamic 3D wiggle effects. Perfect for marketers, photographers, and creatives. Whether you are a passionate photographer, stereoscopy lover or simply interested in trying out new things, enter the world of possibilities with 3DWiggle Web App.
What is 3DWiggle?3DWiggle is a Web App for creating 3D images. It uses a technique called wigglegram and it needs two regular photos. With 3DWiggle you can make all the adjustments online. No additional expensive equipment! You can enjoy your 3D experience on all displays, without the need for 3D glasses.
Who is 3DWiggle for?Photographers & visual artists, who want to give their work real depth and immersive feel. It’s not just an image – it’s a presence.
Marketers & e-commerce professionals, who aim to drive sales and engagement. Showcase products with engaging 3D visuals that attract attention and boost conversion.
Social media creators & content producers, looking for scroll-stopping posts that stand out in crowded feeds. 3DWiggle can give you slight advantage and make your followers come back for more.
Why should you try 3DWiggle?No extra equipment - use the camera you already have.
Easy & fast - two photos, upload, adjust, done.
Works everywhere - from phone screens to large displays, with high quality.
Affordable and free to start - No hidden fees, no immediate payment needed. You can try it free with no credit card, no rush, no subscription, no ads.
Great for creative projects, social media, online stores or visual storytelling.
3DWiggle makes 3D photography accessible, powerful and fun for everyone – whether you’re a pro photographer, a creative, a seller or simply someone who loves to capture moments in a fresh dimension.
Explore 3DWiggle and transform simple images into immersive 3D visuals.
What’s next for me?Easy! Take two photos from slightly different angles (to mimic left and right eye perspectives) with your camera, upload them to 3DWiggle app and start playing! What you’ll get is a wigglegram – a real 3D image that can be viewed on any standard screen without glasses.
It’s real, not AI!You can’t trick your brain. AI generated 3D images are great on mobile phones, but to ensure optimal quality on large screens you need two real images – one for the left and one for the right eye.
Today's Prize Christmas is wiggling!We are thrilled to support your creative work so we decided to create substantial prizes.
Enter for a chance of winning:
1 x King package, with 1500+ wigglegrams, gets you covered for many years ahead,
5 x Pro packages, with 700+ wigglegrams, for serious endeavour, and
20 x Enthusiasts packages with enough wigglegrams to discover a passion.
That’s more then $1000 in total value!
As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.
Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.
[PRIZE_ENTRY]7007[/PRIZE_ENTRY]
10 Top Robin Photography Tips
Robins can be found in their numbers and as many would agree, they are very photogenic and this becomes even truer at this time of year when the cold weather sets in, bringing snow to cover the ground.
We know robins are a popular photographic subject but for those who've never tried to photograph a robin before, here are a few quick tips to help you out. Plus, most of the tips can be used for capturing other garden birds who visit your garden this winter.
Photo by David Pritchard
Long Lenses
Telephoto lenses are a must as robins, and other garden birds, will look tiny in your shot without the pulling power of a longer lens. Around the 300-400mm mark should give you the frame-filling shots you're looking for.
For sharp images, a tripod is a must and if you have one, fit a ball head to it as you'll be able to adjust the camera's position at a much greater speed.
Struggling to find buttons and dials is not what you need when you can quite literally have a few seconds to capture a good shot so make sure you know your camera well before you take it outside.
You can't expect to go into your garden and find a robin waiting to be photographed. To attract birds, you need to set up feeding stations to encourage them to visit regularly. Having a mixture of different seeds, peanuts and fat balls on offer will attract varied species too. Robins like mealworms and berries, which can start to be found on bushes, are always popular with certain bird species. If you move your feeders to a particular spot when taking photos, always remember to move them back after as many birds may have become reliant on them. Don't suddenly stop feeding them either.
Placing branches next to feeders will mean that (hopefully) they'll land on the more photogenic branch before heading for the feeder, giving you the chance to capture a more natural shot. Garden furniture, tools and other non-natural objects can work equally well as a perch, particularly when covered in a layer of snow or frost.
Hedging always works well as backgrounds as when you blur it, the colours will look natural. Whatever you choose, make sure it's not too busy.
If you are going to brave the cold then invest in a hide because as the name suggests, this will keep you 'hidden' from view so the robin is less likely to fly off. You can also position the hide to give you the best vantage point but do wrap up warm as sitting for an hour out in the cold will soon have you wishing for your slippers, a hot drink and a comfy seat next to the fire.
If you don't fancy sitting in the cold, there are two methods that allow you to work from inside your home. The first is with a IR release but for this to work you do have to venture outside for a little while so you can set your camera up and set its focus. Unlike when you're working in a hide, this method means you can't adjust the composition or focus, making the method a little more limiting.
The second option is to bring your camera and tripod inside so you can shoot through a window (if you have one overlooking your garden). Position your tripod so your lens is as close to the glass as possible (without touching it so when doors etc. shut it doesn't shake your lens) and switch your house lights off to minimise reflections. A lens hood could also be useful as this will shield your lens or you could try cupping it with your hand.
Photo by David Pritchard
Sharp Shots
Small birds are fast and they don't tend to stay still as even when they are feeding they twitch their heads to check what's happening around them. For this reason you need a high enough shutter speed to ensure they stay sharp. You also need to make sure your not throwing the tips of tail feathers and beaks out of focus when you're trying to create your out of focus backgrounds. Try around the f/8 mark but do adjust if needed. Also, use your LCD screen and zoom in on the beak and tail tip areas to double-check everything's sharp.
You may find that adjusting your focus manually gives you more accurate results and as winter light can be weak, don't be afraid to use higher ISOs to reach the shutter speeds you need.
Make sure you have a seat to hand as you can be waiting a while for your subject to show and then it can take even longer to capture a shot you're happy with. You will spend quite a lot of time patiently watching so if you are going to be working outside you may want to consider taking a flask of something warm out with you.
Don't just think that cold, crisp, sunny days are when you should be out capturing your Robin shots. Yes, it's not as pleasant but a few drops of rain or even snow captured at slightly slower shutter (1/30th – 1/60th of a second)speeds can add an extra level of interest to your images. Plus, a scene decorated with snow with a robin taking centre stage will always make a great image for a Christmas card.
10 More Crazy Photography Facts You (Probably) Didn't Know
Think you know everything about photography? From the hidden math behind your files to bizarre legal battles over monkey selfies, these facts reveal the fascinating technical quirks and strange history that most photographers never learn.
[ Read More ]
Is Canon’s 45mm f/1.2 STM the New Everyday Portrait Prime?
An f/1.2 prime that is small, light, and relatively affordable changes how you think about portrait and video work. Instead of saving that look for rare jobs with heavy, expensive glass, you can consider shooting with it on long walks, travel days, or full wedding schedules.
[ Read More ]
Dell UltraSharp U3224KB Review: A 6K Powerhouse for Creators
Most photographers and videographers spend as much (if not more) time editing as they do shooting. This is simply how the digital workflow is. It is nearly impossible to work from a laptop, so many of us end up buying monitors. Having a monitor that can do it all is hard to find, but the Dell UltraSharp U3224KB comes close. It’s a jack of all trades, but is it a master of any?
[ Read More ]
10 Silent Mistakes Wrecking Your Images (And How To Fix Them)
You probably make at least a few of the same mistakes over and over without realizing it. Small habits like staying at eye level or avoiding bad weather quietly flatten your images and make your work feel more generic than it needs to be.
[ Read More ]
How to Use Lightroom's Color Variance Slider to Adjust Color Tones
For decades, I have struggled with retouching my headshot images. I deal with a variety of problems, ranging from fixing crooked neckties to removing flyaways. The biggest problem for me, however, is evening out skin tones, or more specifically, reducing redness in the skin. A new Color Variance slider in Lightroom may help anyone dealing with this issue.
[ Read More ]
How To Easily Restore Damaged Family Photos With Photoshop’s New AI
AI models in Photoshop are starting to do something that used to take hours of careful cloning and healing: bring cracked, faded family photos back to life while still looking real. Those images are often the only visual record of parents, grandparents, and whole branches of a family, and AI is starting to emerge as a legitimate option.
[ Read More ]
The Fujifilm X-T30 III: Small Upgrade, Big Everyday Impact
Fujifilm’s X-T30 III takes a body a lot of people already know and pushes it with smarter autofocus, better film simulations, and upgraded video options. If you spend a lot of time juggling stills, clips, and travel, this kind of small camera can change what you carry and when you leave bigger gear at home.
[ Read More ]
Christmas Prize Draw 2025 Day 6 - Win 1 of 10 Zoner Studio yearly licenses!
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by complicated photo editing software - or frustrated by high subscription costs - Zoner Studio is the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. Created for beginners, hobby photographers, and anyone who wants to take their photo editing to the next level at half the cost of the main players. Zoner Studio delivers professional-grade tools in a clean, intuitive interface that makes the entire workflow faster, simpler, and genuinely enjoyable.
What makes Zoner Studio different is its rare combination of power and approachability. You don’t need to be a retouching expert to get great results, and you don’t need to fight your way through endless menus to find basic tools. Everything you need - importing, organizing, editing, retouching, layers, masks, video editing, and exporting - is right where you expect it. Whether you’re editing your first RAW file or batch-processing a full wedding shoot, Zoner Studio guides you from first steps to polished final images effortlessly.
A proper strength is its freedom of workflow. Unlike many well-known editors, Zoner Studio doesn’t force you into a catalog-only system. You can choose the method that works best for you: use the catalog for fast searching and organization, or edit directly from folders without importing anything at all. And here’s an even bigger advantage: your photo library stays fully accessible even after your subscription ends. No lock-ins, no disappearing edits, no unpleasant surprises. Your photos remain yours.
And whether you’re learning the craft or looking for inspiration, Zoner Studio is packed with helpful tutorials, tooltips, guided modules, and educational content that helps you progress. You’ll never be lost or stuck wondering what to do next.
Today's Prize Win 1 of 10 Zoner Studio yearly licenses!If you want a photo editor that respects your time, your budget, and your creativity, Zoner Studio is the perfect place to start - and the ideal companion as your skills grow. Whether you’re editing once a month or every day, it’s everything you need in one beautifully designed package.
As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.
Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.
[PRIZE_ENTRY]7006[/PRIZE_ENTRY]
Christmas Macro Photography Tips
Christmas is a great time of year to try out some macro photography, with loads of trinkets and brightly coloured objects to shoot. Here are some tips for festive macro photography.
SubjectsAs mentioned above, there are many decorative items that appear at Christmas that are ideal subjects for macro photography. Think baubles on the tree, festive garlands, centrepieces and ornaments, like candle holders, tea lights and reindeer statues. Think about the lighting too – if you're going for a festive look, then firelight, fairy lights and candles are the way to go. Look for interesting decorations that have plenty of colour and detail. Don't forget the other decorations that can be found around the house either. Snow globes, bowls of sweets and Poinsettias are all worth a quick photo.
Many ornaments are quite reflective so do check them to make sure your reflection isn't showing in them. This does mean you'll have to adjust your position or move the ornament if you do find your face to be in the shot.
If you're shooting with fairy lights in the background, they will create great bokeh for your image. Alternatively, use the lights as an abstract subject, turning them into circles of colour against dark backgrounds.
If your camera has a specific macro setting, then that will be a good starting point. Those using interchangeable lenses should switch to a close-up or specific macro lens to shoot their photographs.
Do check your white balance as photos taken indoors can sometimes have a warm, orange tint to them. If you find this to be a problem switch from auto white balance to one of the other presets or you can manually set your white balance.
Support
You might need to use a tripod, or a gorillapod to achieve stability in a small space, especially if you are shooting in low light, such as firelight or candlelight for effectiveness.
Try setting up your own scene to shoot, rather than just shooting the objects where they are positioned. For example, if your tree is really too full you can take a few decorations off it to create a Christmas still life. The Nativity scene will make a really interesting macro shot too.
It's a little late for this year, however macro shots you take this Christmas can be used on cards you send out next year.
Why Abstract Photography Might Be a Safe Haven in the Age of AI
This is not a guide, but a way to think about abstraction as one way for photographers to regain control and meaning when technology learns every technique.
[ Read More ]
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Lens Review
We have here an exciting combination, the fine, energetic Korean lens manufacturer working alongside one of the legendary West German optical giants. LK Samyang have been building their reputation and excelling as they have moved into AF lenses. Schneider Kreuznach are one of the world's most respected high class optical manufacturers. Bringing the two together looks like a challenge to the best of current lenses. Let's see if the magic is there, coupling up the new LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE lens with the 42MP Sony A7R III camera body. Let the sparks fly...
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Handling and Features
First off, it looks good, well finished, relatively compact at 102mm x 126mm and weighing in at a very manageable 494g. There is a supplied petal lens hood that clips smoothly and positively into place. There is no locking catch, nor is there a need for one. Within the bayonet fit for the hood is a conventional 72mm filter thread.
The core of the lens is an Aluminium barrel. The high quality plastic exterior is treated with a water and oil repellent coating called “Hydro Shield”, in addition to the Fluorine coating on the front element. There are various seals throughout the lens, giving weather sealing against water droplets, light rain, snow and dust. This does at least give some indication of the degree of sealing; there is the usual caveat that it does not extend to being waterproof. Dust protection is however quantified as IP-5 and this equates to “dust protected”.
Our tour of the lens controls starts with the control ring. This is by default the focusing ring. Unfortunately, the A7R III does not support changing the function. The zoom ring is clearly marked at 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 60mm. These settings are accurate. The focusing ring is electronic and as smooth as expected. The zoom ring does extend the lens but balance does not seem to be unduly altered and the action is much smoother than most competitors.
There is one innovative feature, a USB-C socket that can be used to transfer data and therefore update the firmware of the lens without having to use a docking station. A clever idea.
Focusing is down to 0.18m (0.59') at 24mm, for a maximum magnification of 0.27x, or 1:3.73. This becomes 0.32m (1.05') at 60mm, for a maximum magnification of 0.25x, or 1:4.01. This close focusing is extremely versatile, approaching macro distances. AF is provided via a stepping motor, which is fast, accurate and virtually silent. There is an AF/MF selector switch. There is also a single button that locks AF position. With some bodies this may enable access to other functions.
Optical construction is 14 elements in 11 groups, including 3 Aspherical, 3 HR (High Refractive Incidence) and 2 ED (Extra Low Dispersion). The diaphragm comprises 9 blades, producing a rounded aperture. Finally, we have Samyang's impressive UMC multi-coating.
It is a great lens to use, a bit of bulk being saved by restricting the telephoto end. Most standard zooms of similar specification will extend to 70mm, but the reduction in size and weight may well be preferred by many photographers. There is no IS built in, thus relying on the IBIS of the camera body. This works very well and does help to keep the size of the lens down.
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Performance
At 24mm, central sharpness is excellent from f/2.8 through to f/11, rising to outstanding at f/4. It is still very good at f/16 and f/22. The edges are good at f/2.8, very good from f/4 to f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
At 35mm, central sharpness is excellent from f/2.8 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are good at f/2.8, very good from f/4 through to f/16 and good at f/22.
At 60mm, central sharpness is good at f/2.8, excellent from f/4 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are fair from f/2.8 to f/8, very good at f/11 and f/16 and good at f/22.
This is a very creditable performance and the images look satisfyingly sharp and crisp.
Distortion is handled extremely well, measuring -0.55% barrel at 24mm, -0.33% barrel at 35mm and -0.12% barrel at 60mm.
Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE MTF Charts Previous Next
How to read our MTF chartsThe blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.
For this review, the lens was tested on a Sony A7R IIII body using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses?
CA is tightly controlled in the centre and although there is a higher reading at the edges, for most subjects colour fringing is not obtrusive. Further correction could be made in software if required.
Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Chromatic Aberration Charts Previous Next
How to read our CA chartsChromatic aberration (CA) is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.
Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.
For this review, the lens was tested on a Sony A7R III body using Imatest.
Bokeh is pleasantly smooth and this holds true even with quite “busy” backgrounds. This is helpful in portraiture and with flower shots, with a sharp central core and a lovely out of focus background with gentle gradation.
Flare is rather impressively banished, with only the slightest sign of artefacts even under very severe lighting challenges. UMC multi-coating has always delivered the necessary flare suppression.
Vignetting results are better than average for this type of lens and are summarised in the following table.
Aperture 24mm 35mm 60mm f/2.8 -1.9 -1 -1.3 f/4 -1.8 -0.9 -1.2 f/5.6 -1.8 -0.8 -1.1 f/8 -1.7 -0.8 -1.1 f/11 -1.7 -0.8 -1 f/16 -1.4 -0.7 -1 f/22 -1.3 -0.7 -1
Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Sample Photos Previous Next
Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Aperture range Previous Next
You can view additional images in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own reviews, photos and product ratings.
[HOOK]position_1[/HOOK]
Value For MoneyThe SK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE lens is priced at £475.00
Alternatives for Sony FE might be:
- [AMUK]Samyang AF 24-70mm f/2.8|Samyang+AF+24-70mm+f/2.8[/AMUK], £618
- [AMUK]Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II|Sony+FE+24-70mm+f/2.8+GM+II[/AMUK], £1669
- [AMUK]Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM|Sony+FE+24-70mm+f/2.8+GM[/AMUK], £1535
Although not usable on Sony FE mount, users of Lumix cameras have a similarly specified lens:
- [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8|Panasonic+Lumix+S+24-60mm+f/2.8[/AMUK], £899
Overall, the new lens has a very attractive price and is great VFM.
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Verdict
Jointly designed by LK Samyang and Schneider Kreuznach, the synergy of the two skill sets results in a very fine lens at a very attractive price point. Lenses from the Samyang stable have been impressive for many years, first with manual focus lenses that extended the repertoire from the basic marque offerings, then with a new range of AF lenses that took quality levels up a distinct step. Performance is excellent. It is true that sharpness falls off at 60mm, but even here, the use of smaller apertures will give critical sharpness right across the frame.
The slight trimming of the tele end to 60mm, as opposed to the more common 70mm, does keep the bulk of the lens down and for travel this could be a very good thing. The smooth bokeh will give an attractive backdrop to portraiture. The close focusing that approaches macro distances is a huge boon, adding to the versatility of the lens for general use. For document copying, the low distortion means straight edges remain straight, and the results here are very satisfactory for any lens, especially so for a zoom.
In summary, a versatile and excellent lens and an Editor's Choice.
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Pros
- Excellent central sharpness
- Modest vignetting
- Weather resistance
- Low flare levels
- Smooth bokeh
- Close focusing
- Excellent construction standards
- Great VFM
LK Samyang AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE Cons
- Lower edge sharpness at 60mm
- Some edge CA
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4.5|R_handling=5|R_performance=4.5|R_value=5|R_overall=5|A_level=5|A_text=Editor's Choice – A versatile, high quality standard zoom at a very attractive price.|E_id=8027[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
.borders { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; border-collapse: collapse; } .borders td,.borders tr { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; } .borders { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; border-collapse: collapse; } .borders td,.borders tr { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; }The 10 Best Point-and-Shoots for People Who Hate Phones
Smartphone photography is miraculous, but it isn't for everyone. There is no shutter click and no mechanical dial. If you miss the feeling of making a photograph rather than tapping a screen, these 10 cameras are your antidote.
[ Read More ]
Voting Now Open for The Society of Photographers' 2025 Photographic Trade Awards
The Society of Photographers is delighted to announce that voting is now officially open for the 2025 Photographic Trade Awards - a celebration of the innovation, quality and creativity that continue to drive the photographic industry forward.
Each year, these prestigious awards recognise the products, brands and services that have made a significant impact on photographers across the globe. From cutting-edge cameras and lenses to state-of-the-art software, professional labs, lighting, accessories and more, the awards highlight the companies who go above and beyond to support photographers at every level.
Photographers of all genres and experience levels are invited to cast their votes and champion the industry leaders they feel deserve recognition. Whether it’s exceptional customer service, groundbreaking technology or consistent product excellence, this is the opportunity to acknowledge those who have made a real difference throughout 2025.
Win a Full 4-Day Masterclass Pass
Everyone who submits a completed voting form will be entered into a prize draw to win a Full 4-Day Masterclass Pass to the 2026 London Photo Convention, worth up to £300.
The winner will be announced shortly after 1 January 2026.
Voters may participate in as many categories as they wish:
- Best Professional Lighting 2025
- Best Professional Lab 2025
- Best Professional Album 2025
- Best Professional Paper 2025
- Best Professional Camera 2025
- Best Professional Lens 2025
- Best Professional Photographic Training 2025
- Best Professional Service 2025
- Best Professional Accessory 2025
- Best Professional Software 2025
Cast your vote here: https://thesocieties.net/trade-awards/
Award Announcements
The winners of the 2025 Photographic Trade Awards will be revealed during the Awards Presentation Evening at the 2026 London Photo Convention, alongside the Society’s renowned Photographer of the Year announcements.
Deadline
Voting closes at midnight on 31 December 2025.
Film Photography News: Kodak’s New Compact, aF-1 Sample Shots, and Fresh Color Film
Film photography has quiet weeks where the news feels like a half-used roll you forgot in a drawer. This wasn’t one of those weeks.
[ Read More ]
Instax Mini Evo vs LiPlay+: Which Instant Camera Fits Your Style?
Instant cameras live or die on small design choices, and the instax mini Evo and instax mini LiPlay+ put almost all of those decisions in different places. You get the same prints and similar prices, so the real question is how you want to shoot, share, and handle your camera.
[ Read More ]