Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Review

[Zv]

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

[scottkinfw]

I got mine a few weeks ago, and am playing with it, as it requires a new skill set.  I shoot mainly in manual, so not too hard.  It will require a few test shots to nail exposure, or perhaps a light meter.  For me, focus is a bit tricky.  I use a loupe to help.  Also, I "discoverdd" yesterday that the dof button works with the lens, so this helps.

sek

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

[scottkinfw]

Here is a sample portrait from yesterday.  I added a bit of fill flash from a single off camera 600EX-RT controlled with an ST-E3-RT to open up the shadows.  I didn't use any filters or any pp for the star bursts on chrome, etc.- all the result of the lens.

I got mine a few weeks ago, and am playing with it, as it requires a new skill set.  I shoot mainly in manual, so not too hard.  It will require a few test shots to nail exposure, or perhaps a light meter.  For me, focus is a bit tricky.  I use a loupe to help.  Also, I "discoverdd" yesterday that the dof button works with the lens, so this helps.

sek

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here is another one from the Rokinon.  Two exposures, one for the foreground, one for the sky.  Purposefully dark and moody.  I have never captured such amazing detail with my wide angle work before.  Stunning!

Great, dramatic image, Dustin. And a fitting farewell to my favorite month!

Thanks.

It is one of my favorite months, too.  I think I get more great landscape stuff in October than any other month.

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I got mine a few weeks ago, and am playing with it, as it requires a new skill set.  I shoot mainly in manual, so not too hard.  It will require a few test shots to nail exposure, or perhaps a light meter.  For me, focus is a bit tricky.  I use a loupe to help.  Also, I "discoverdd" yesterday that the dof button works with the lens, so this helps.

sek

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

I would say that developing a new skill set is probably an accurate assessment.  It is certainly unlike any other manual focus only lens that I have used because of the extreme nature.  The viewfinder will be mostly for composition, not focus.  I either prefocus using the distance markers (and knowing where my lens hits focus) along with live view in other situations.  I don't get out of focus shots with the lens at all, so my technique works fine for me.

[Normalnorm]

Just ordered one this morning. I notice the price walks around a bit but I was happy to get it for $339.
I had thought about the Canon 14 but the performance is underwhelming for the money.
I am planning on using for architecture. (Yeah, I head all the criticism about the distortion). I am not too worried about that and if it happens o fall short on that it should sit be great for landscape.

[Zv]

I got mine a few weeks ago, and am playing with it, as it requires a new skill set.  I shoot mainly in manual, so not too hard.  It will require a few test shots to nail exposure, or perhaps a light meter.  For me, focus is a bit tricky.  I use a loupe to help.  Also, I "discoverdd" yesterday that the dof button works with the lens, so this helps.

sek

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

I would say that developing a new skill set is probably an accurate assessment.  It is certainly unlike any other manual focus only lens that I have used because of the extreme nature.  The viewfinder will be mostly for composition, not focus.  I either prefocus using the distance markers (and knowing where my lens hits focus) along with live view in other situations.  I don't get out of focus shots with the lens at all, so my technique works fine for me.

Thanks Dustin. I'm prob gonna be using Live view to focus and viewfinder to find that comp that is all but elusive with UWA lenses! I find myself looking through the VF and waving the camera about in all kinds of angles, looking like a bit of an idiot in the process, to find the angle that employs the distortion to good use! It usually ends in me saying "I need a wider lens!" At which point I get the  from the girlfriend!

I got mine for ¥28,000 which is a steal! Still waiting on delivery!

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I got mine a few weeks ago, and am playing with it, as it requires a new skill set.  I shoot mainly in manual, so not too hard.  It will require a few test shots to nail exposure, or perhaps a light meter.  For me, focus is a bit tricky.  I use a loupe to help.  Also, I "discoverdd" yesterday that the dof button works with the lens, so this helps.

sek

I ordered this lens today, can't wait to get out and try it!

I would say that developing a new skill set is probably an accurate assessment.  It is certainly unlike any other manual focus only lens that I have used because of the extreme nature.  The viewfinder will be mostly for composition, not focus.  I either prefocus using the distance markers (and knowing where my lens hits focus) along with live view in other situations.  I don't get out of focus shots with the lens at all, so my technique works fine for me.

Thanks Dustin. I'm prob gonna be using Live view to focus and viewfinder to find that comp that is all but elusive with UWA lenses! I find myself looking through the VF and waving the camera about in all kinds of angles, looking like a bit of an idiot in the process, to find the angle that employs the distortion to good use! It usually ends in me saying "I need a wider lens!" At which point I get the  from the girlfriend!

I got mine for ¥28,000 which is a steal! Still waiting on delivery!

I think you will really enjoy it.

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Yep, still enjoying this lens!


Barren Beauty by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

[Krob78]

Yep, still enjoying this lens!


Barren Beauty by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Very powerful image Dustin!   

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Yep, still enjoying this lens!

Very powerful image Dustin!   

Thanks, Ken.  I really liked it, too.

[Krob78]

Yep, still enjoying this lens!

Very powerful image Dustin!   

Thanks, Ken.  I really liked it, too.

You're welcome!  Dustin, is this someplace local to you?  The rocks leading into the image are very rough and almost unnatural looking, not unnatural in a bad way, just large and jagged... I'm not expressing it very well but it's giving it quite a different feel than your typical lake image...

[extremeinstability]

I have a few things on this page like vignetting and corner sharpness and a coma and corner sharpness comparison to the 14L II.  I need to rent the 14L II again so I have them at the same time and do some proper comparisons.  http://www.extremeinstability.com/lens14mm.html

[Krob78]

I have a few things on this page like vignetting and corner sharpness and a coma and corner sharpness comparison to the 14L II.  I need to rent the 14L II again so I have them at the same time and do some proper comparisons.  http://www.extremeinstability.com/lens14mm.html

That's a wise choice! 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Yep, still enjoying this lens!

Very powerful image Dustin!   

Thanks, Ken.  I really liked it, too.

You're welcome!  Dustin, is this someplace local to you?  The rocks leading into the image are very rough and almost unnatural looking, not unnatural in a bad way, just large and jagged... I'm not expressing it very well but it's giving it quite a different feel than your typical lake image...

This is a local location (on a very large river).  It is really all about what you choose to emphasize.  Here I chose a more rugged, desolate foreground to emphasize the mood that I was shooting for.