Review: Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

[lilmsmaggie]

Hi,

I'm very, very tempted by the 14mm 2.8 Rokinon/Samyang/Bower lens.

But I'm concerned about the various names this manufacturer markets these lenses under. For example, B&H carries this focal length under Samyang, Rokinon and Bower with the Samyang costing $30 more than the Rokinon and Bower versions ($329). If they are the exact same lens, then why the difference in price?

Aside from price my other concern is the lack of available actual test reports. The only one I've been able to find is dated 10/14/13 on SLRgear.com

There is no local retailer nearby where I can check this lens out before purchasing which leaves finding a good one might be bit of a crap-shoot.

Anyway can one improve ones odds in finding an acceptable copy of this lens (I usually purchase my gear from B&H)?

I'd be using it for night sky photography on a 5D MK II and possibly my T3i.

I may be upgrading my 5DMKII for a III later next year. Just depends. It's either that or a roof replacement -- but who needs a roof ;D

 

[vscd]

In Europe (f.e. germany) they're called "Walimex" The quality should be all the same because I think they were mady in exactly the same factory.

I *love* mine, especially for the price. The resolution is terrifice f.e. @f8 and it's not that big or heavy. The only thing I have to mention is a general one... don't use those lenses (just) for landscapes. Wideangle lenses in this range are not made for panoramic pictures, at least not in my opinion. Just use 24mm with straight optical lines and stitch a few together if you need more angle of view.

The Pixels on the border are curved, unsharp and the results may not be what you've expected. With film you have to, but with digitalcameras I would stitch. Wideangle lenses @14mm can be much more usefull for creative purpose, to catch the eyewithin rooms or to shoot in rather tight places.

Greetings.

 

[Brand B]

But I'm concerned about the various names this manufacturer markets these lenses under. For example, B&H carries this focal length under Samyang, Rokinon and Bower with the Samyang costing $30 more than the Rokinon and Bower versions ($329). If they are the exact same lens, then why the difference in price?

Aside from price my other concern is the lack of available actual test reports. The only one I've been able to find is dated 10/14/13 on SLRgear.com

My thoughts -

I scoured the internet for reviews and comments on this lens by most of its names, and pretty much everything was positive, especially at the price point. I think it's a safe bet the lens is a good buy. I am definitely happy with mine, at least as good as I hoped it would be.

On the name, I think the brands are targeted at different geographical areas, and the pricing reflects the lens being acquired through different distribution channels and possibly exchange rates. That's a guess on my part, though.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

But I'm concerned about the various names this manufacturer markets these lenses under. For example, B&H carries this focal length under Samyang, Rokinon and Bower with the Samyang costing $30 more than the Rokinon and Bower versions ($329). If they are the exact same lens, then why the difference in price?

Aside from price my other concern is the lack of available actual test reports. The only one I've been able to find is dated 10/14/13 on SLRgear.com

My thoughts -

I scoured the internet for reviews and comments on this lens by most of its names, and pretty much everything was positive, especially at the price point. I think it's a safe bet the lens is a good buy. I am definitely happy with mine, at least as good as I hoped it would be.

On the name, I think the brands are targeted at different geographical areas, and the pricing reflects the lens being acquired through different distribution channels and possibly exchange rates. That's a guess on my part, though.

I agree the comments and reviews are quite positive. Dustin's star-studded image with the wooden structure in the foreground is amazing. The stars -- they look like pin points.

Now that's what I'm talkn' bout. 8)

I may just pull the trigger on the 14 f/2.8 Samyang post Xmas. In fact, I think I'll rent it first.

 

[drob]

I'm using the Samyang 16mm 2.0 and love it. Focusing isn't to bad. I've heard rumors of Samyang/Rokinon is coming out with something wider, 10mm, 2.8?? Only drawback to the 14mm 2.8 is that you can't mount any filters.

 

[emag]

I may just pull the trigger on the 14 f/2.8 Samyang post Xmas. In fact, I think I'll rent it first.

Seriously....don't bother renting, just find a good price and buy it. You will be thrilled, it really is all it's cracked up to be and IMO better than my version 1 Tokina 11-16 was....which was sold when I added a 6D. Samyang* really did it right. I also have the Rokinon 8mm fisheye for my crop cameras, it's not quite as optically superb as the 14, but for the limited use a fisheye gets I'm happy with it.

*As others have noted, it's a Samyang lens, regardless of the name on the body. I bought the Rokinon version due to the price.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Yep ...

http://www.samyang.co.uk/index.php/new-products/new-samyang-10mm-f-2-8

I'm using the Samyang 16mm 2.0 and love it. Focusing isn't to bad. I've heard rumors of Samyang/Rokinon is coming out with something wider, 10mm, 2.8?? Only drawback to the 14mm 2.8 is that you can't mount any filters.

Just pulled the trigger. Merry Xmas 2 me ;D

 

[HankMD]

Picked it up for $279 when buydig had a sale. Easily the best bang for the buck lens purchase I've ever made. Waiting on clear skies.......

I watched helplessly as the sale ended while I awaited my CC to be verified

PS: And that was the new version with the Red Line to push the fence-sitters/doubters to take the plunge.

 

[scyrene]

I have to add my voice to the chorus of approval for this lens. I've had it a few months, and it's been great. The price was so low (~£350 I think), that I felt able to take a gamble, and it paid off (I was heartened by the consistently good reviews I found online).

It is solid, and I dropped mine (don't ask!) a few feet onto a concrete floor, and it survived with no more than scuffs - the built-in hood does seem to protect the bulging front element. It has next to no fringing, as the reviewer said, and the sharpness is great.

A few gripes: when mounting/removing the lens, it's pretty much impossible not to twist the aperture ring, so it's hard to keep set (although easy to put back). On my copy at least, the distance scale seems wildly inaccurate - for astrophotography, I find 0.7m the right setting for stars - and anything closer to infinity is out of focus. Flare is often present, even from relatively minor light sources, but it's often unobtrusive. And of course, the inevitable lack of exif means you can easily forget precisely what aperture you were using.

But these are minor, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone looking for an ultrawide, unless money was no object. I have a small Flickr set of images taken with this lens here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scyrene/sets/72157636579799955/, and I'll include a couple of images below to give an idea.

One last note, it is very challenging to get good composition with this lens, but that's down to the focal length. I'd never shot wider than 24mm on full frame, so it was a shock (even having seen lots of other images). It's very tough getting symmetry and a level horizon, and when you adjust for distortions, this can be a problem. But it can yield fantastic results when things go right.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I have to add my voice to the chorus of approval for this lens. I've had it a few months, and it's been great. The price was so low (~£350 I think), that I felt able to take a gamble, and it paid off (I was heartened by the consistently good reviews I found online).

It is solid, and I dropped mine (don't ask!) a few feet onto a concrete floor, and it survived with no more than scuffs - the built-in hood does seem to protect the bulging front element. It has next to no fringing, as the reviewer said, and the sharpness is great.

A few gripes: when mounting/removing the lens, it's pretty much impossible not to twist the aperture ring, so it's hard to keep set (although easy to put back). On my copy at least, the distance scale seems wildly inaccurate - for astrophotography, I find 0.7m the right setting for stars - and anything closer to infinity is out of focus. Flare is often present, even from relatively minor light sources, but it's often unobtrusive. And of course, the inevitable lack of exif means you can easily forget precisely what aperture you were using.

But these are minor, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone looking for an ultrawide, unless money was no object. I have a small Flickr set of images taken with this lens here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scyrene/sets/72157636579799955/, and I'll include a couple of images below to give an idea.

One last note, it is very challenging to get good composition with this lens, but that's down to the focal length. I'd never shot wider than 24mm on full frame, so it was a shock (even having seen lots of other images). It's very tough getting symmetry and a level horizon, and when you adjust for distortions, this can be a problem. But it can yield fantastic results when things go right.

A couple of great images. That last one in particular is a stunner!

 

[scyrene]

A couple of great images. That last one in particular is a stunner!

Aw, thanks!