Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Review

[wickidwombat]

Nice review Dustin (yet again)

Also I have the 8mm samyang which i use on my eos m, for the $200 or so it cost its an amazing lens
I put the dandelion chip on mine and programmed it using a 5D so it reports correct EXIF and has AF confirm and displays the wide open aperture rather than 00
I highly recommend putting one on they are about $20 off ebay just make sure you get the proper one from europe not the chinese copies

Thank you. How does the size compare between the two lenses? The 14mm is still a pretty compelling option on the M, but is a bit bulky. Once I get my own copy I will be putting the chip on the 14mm. Thanks for the tip regarding the source - that is a valuable bit of information.

the 8mm is quite small its about the size of the 50mm f1.8 with the bulbous bit stuck on top if you can imagine that

its a nice lens and i had ML alpha running with the focus peaking is awesome on the M since there is no VF, but for around 200 bucks on a crop body i don't think the 8mm can be beaten by anything

obviously with the EF adapter on it gets longer, I am hoping samyang release an EF-M mount version which would be flat out awesome for this camera i wouldn't think they would need to do too much optically

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Nice review Dustin (yet again)

Also I have the 8mm samyang which i use on my eos m, for the $200 or so it cost its an amazing lens
I put the dandelion chip on mine and programmed it using a 5D so it reports correct EXIF and has AF confirm and displays the wide open aperture rather than 00
I highly recommend putting one on they are about $20 off ebay just make sure you get the proper one from europe not the chinese copies

Thank you. How does the size compare between the two lenses? The 14mm is still a pretty compelling option on the M, but is a bit bulky. Once I get my own copy I will be putting the chip on the 14mm. Thanks for the tip regarding the source - that is a valuable bit of information.

the 8mm is quite small its about the size of the 50mm f1.8 with the bulbous bit stuck on top if you can imagine that

its a nice lens and i had ML alpha running with the focus peaking is awesome on the M since there is no VF, but for around 200 bucks on a crop body i don't think the 8mm can be beaten by anything

obviously with the EF adapter on it gets longer, I am hoping samyang release an EF-M mount version which would be flat out awesome for this camera i wouldn't think they would need to do too much optically

I would love to see other manufacturers buy into the EOS M system, but I'm afraid that at the least CANON is going to have demonstrate that they have bought into the M system! Thanks for the info, by the way.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Autumn Frame of Mind by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's another that I have just taken with the Rokinon:


Forsaken by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[emag]

I'm sold, thanks for the real-world review, Dustin. . This lens begs to be used in portrait orientation. Most of the distortion is easily correctable and becomes insignificant outside of architectural work. Looks even sharper than I'd hoped. I like to rent-to-try, but for the price/performance the Rok14 is just-buy-and-enjoy.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'm sold, thanks for the real-world review, Dustin. . This lens begs to be used in portrait orientation. Most of the distortion is easily correctable and becomes insignificant outside of architectural work. Looks even sharper than I'd hoped. I like to rent-to-try, but for the price/performance the Rok14 is just-buy-and-enjoy.

I think I'd have to agree. I'm obviously thankful that I got an opportunity to try the lens myself before investing, but that was a fairly unique situation. If someone is aware of the limitations of the lens (particularly when it comes to the manual nature) going in I seriously doubt that many will be disappointed by this lens. It is very, very sharp!

 

[ME]

I have the Samyang 14mm, though have not used it much so far. My first choice would be the Zeiss 15mm, but @ ~$3000 US, my budget wont allow it at this time. I purchased the Samyang 14mm based on reviews at Photozone & some other reviews, and the very nice price compared to the Zeiss 15mm& Canon 14mm costs.Though it is not AF, at this focal length it is not that important. It is a pretty amazing uwa lens. I also thought the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower were the same lenses sold with a different brand name, but see now based on other posts on this thread, there are some differences. They are all about the same cost, at least at B&H. I still would not buy the Canon over the Samyang, but would buy the Zeiss (if i won the lottery). I also have the Canon 16-35L, but prefer the Samyang @ 14mm over the Canon @ 16mm. If you want a UWA lens i would definitly recommend it. I like your photos Dustin, and thanks for the info on the dandelion chip wickedwombat. I will have to check that out.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I have the Samyang 14mm, though have not used it much so far. My first choice would be the Zeiss 15mm, but @ ~$3000 US, my budget wont allow it at this time. I purchased the Samyang 14mm based on reviews at Photozone & some other reviews, and the very nice price compared to the Zeiss 15mm& Canon 14mm costs.Though it is not AF, at this focal length it is not that important. It is a pretty amazing uwa lens. I also thought the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower were the same lenses sold with a different brand name, but see now based on other posts on this thread, there are some differences. They are all about the same cost, at least at B&H. I still would not buy the Canon over the Samyang, but would buy the Zeiss (if i won the lottery). I also have the Canon 16-35L, but prefer the Samyang @ 14mm over the Canon @ 16mm. If you want a UWA lens i would definitly recommend it. I like your photos Dustin, and thanks for the info on the dandelion chip wickedwombat. I will have to check that out.

The Zeiss 15mm would be my first choice, too, if money were no object. It is currently my most desired Zeiss lens that I'm aware of. But it is also almost ten times the price of the Rokinon, and I'm very happy with the images I'm getting out of the Roki.

 

[TheMormegil]

Great review and lovely pictures
You've made me really want one of these!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Great review and lovely pictures
You've made me really want one of these!

Thank you. I suspect that just might be why the distributor supplies me with equipment to test ;D

 

[cliffwang]

I also have the Canon 16-35L, but prefer the Samyang @ 14mm over the Canon @ 16mm. If you want a UWA lens i would definitly recommend it. I like your photos Dustin, and thanks for the info on the dandelion chip wickedwombat. I will have to check that out.

+1
I was considering 16-35L before I purchased Samyang. Thus, I borrowed my friend's 16-35L and bought my Samyang 14mm to play around together for two weeks. I prefer use 14mm + 24-70mm than 16-35mm + 24-70mm.
By the way Dustin really has sense for photos. The thing behind Camera is more important than Cameras and lenses, right?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

This lens is so awesome for nightscapes!


Leaning into the Milky Way by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Single exposure, using ambient light to paint the foreground building.

 

[Vivid Color]

Nice review Dustin (yet again)

Also I have the 8mm samyang which i use on my eos m, for the $200 or so it cost its an amazing lens
I put the dandelion chip on mine and programmed it using a 5D so it reports correct EXIF and has AF confirm and displays the wide open aperture rather than 00
I highly recommend putting one on they are about $20 off ebay just make sure you get the proper one from europe not the chinese copies

Thank you. How does the size compare between the two lenses? The 14mm is still a pretty compelling option on the M, but is a bit bulky. Once I get my own copy I will be putting the chip on the 14mm. Thanks for the tip regarding the source - that is a valuable bit of information.

Dustin, thank you for taking the time to write up and post your review of the Rokinon 14mm ultra-wide lens. As a result of your review, I think this lens will be my next purchase. I've been thinking about getting an ultra-wide, but have been hesitant to do so given the price of Canon's ultra-wides, the known issues with those lenses, and how much I'll likely use the lens. The 14mm Rokinon, it would seem, solves this dilemma.

wickidwombat, could you please provide more information on the autofocus confirmation chip you mentioned? I tried to find the European version you mentioned on eBay, but could not do so. Also, do you know if the AF chip will work on a 6D? Not having an AF confirmation chip is certainly not a deal breaker, but it is something I'd consider getting if it would work on a 6D.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Nice review Dustin (yet again)

Also I have the 8mm samyang which i use on my eos m, for the $200 or so it cost its an amazing lens
I put the dandelion chip on mine and programmed it using a 5D so it reports correct EXIF and has AF confirm and displays the wide open aperture rather than 00
I highly recommend putting one on they are about $20 off ebay just make sure you get the proper one from europe not the chinese copies

Thank you. How does the size compare between the two lenses? The 14mm is still a pretty compelling option on the M, but is a bit bulky. Once I get my own copy I will be putting the chip on the 14mm. Thanks for the tip regarding the source - that is a valuable bit of information.

Dustin, thank you for taking the time to write up and post your review of the Rokinon 14mm ultra-wide lens. As a result of your review, I think this lens will be my next purchase. I've been thinking about getting an ultra-wide, but have been hesitant to do so given the price of Canon's ultra-wides, the known issues with those lenses, and how much I'll likely use the lens. The 14mm Rokinon, it would seem, solves this dilemma.

wickidwombat, could you please provide more information on the autofocus confirmation chip you mentioned? I tried to find the European version you mentioned on eBay, but could not do so. Also, do you know if the AF chip will work on a 6D? Not having an AF confirmation chip is certainly not a deal breaker, but it is something I'd consider getting if it would work on a 6D.

Thanks for the nice feedback. The extremely low price of the lens certainly helps some of its liabilities to become much more palatable! Here's yet another recent shot taken with the lens. This has had a fair bit of processing because I was trying to achieve a certain mood/look, but it is also easy to see the underlying sharpness and color:


Autumn Canvas by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's a different kind of shot from the Rokinon:


Stop on Red by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

P.S. To do long exposure shots with the Rokinon you have to be a little more creative, as just slapping a heavy ND filter on the front doesn't work. You have to pick the right lighting times and do things like stopping down and going to ISO 50. At the right times of day this isn't a problem.

 

[cliffwang]

P.S. To do long exposure shots with the Rokinon you have to be a little more creative, as just slapping a heavy ND filter on the front doesn't work. You have to pick the right lighting times and do things like stopping down and going to ISO 50. At the right times of day this isn't a problem.

Can you explain more about your comment. ND filter, low ISO, and smallest aperture for long exposure are common for me. Is this lens different with others?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

P.S. To do long exposure shots with the Rokinon you have to be a little more creative, as just slapping a heavy ND filter on the front doesn't work. You have to pick the right lighting times and do things like stopping down and going to ISO 50. At the right times of day this isn't a problem.

Can you explain more about your comment. ND filter, low ISO, and smallest aperture for long exposure are common for me. Is this lens different with others?

I have ND1000 (10 stop) and ND64 (6 stop) and ND8 (3 stop) ND filters that I would typically use in the field when doing long exposure shots, but that isn't an option here because there is no real way to use filters on this lens because of the front element.

 

[Standard]

You actually could use gel filters placed in the rear element. I've made some myself using magnetic strips cut out to fit in the rear mount. Purchased the gel sheets – Lee Filters Gel Sheet 210 0.6 Neutral Density (2 Stops) and Gel Sheet 299 1.2 ND (4 Stops) – from filmtools.com and glued onto each circular magnets. But in my opinion, the 14mm doesn't need any filters at all as it's so sharp and captures light and color really well without it.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

You actually could use gel filters placed in the rear element. I've made some myself using magnetic strips cut out to fit in the rear mount. Purchased the gel sheets – Lee Filters Gel Sheet 210 0.6 Neutral Density (2 Stops) and Gel Sheet 299 1.2 ND (4 Stops) – from filmtools.com and glued onto each circular magnets. But in my opinion, the 14mm doesn't need any filters at all as it's so sharp and captures light and color really well without it.

That's a very interesting solution. Where did you buy your Gel Sheets from?