The Samyang VDSLR II 100mm T3.1 ED UMC Macro ($649) comes in at an attractive price point when compared with top-end cinema primes. And while it's not color matched like a Cooke Cinema lens, it also doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Videographers who often use D-SLR cameras along with a gear system for adjusting focus and apeture will appreciate the design of the lens. It focuses close enough to subjects to allow for life-size magnification, and is incredibly crisp at the narrower apertures you'll likely use for macro videography. It does omit image stabilization, which is something you'll find in some autofocus macro lenses like our Editors' Choice Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED ($953.68 at Amazon) , but cinematographers are used to working with a tripod or steadicam, and generally prefer manual focus and aperture control. It's available in several mounts, and is also sold in a version aimed at photographers that trades the gears for more traditional ergonomics. ...
The Samyang VDSLR II 100mm T3.1 ED UMC Macro is a close-focus lens that has special features for video use. It's capable of 1:1 magnification and is very sharp.
Quite sharp when stopped down; 1:1 magnification; Internal focus design; Compact; Available for multiple systems; Long focus throw; Attractive price point
Not the most comfortable lens to use handheld; Some edge softness at wide apertures; Omits optical image stabilization