Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Review

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Just finished chipping my 14mm with a Canon EMF AF chip

I had to make a spacer to get the chip's contacts to the correct height, but after that installation and configuration was very easy.

Works like a charm! Very handy to have aperture and focal length data in EXIF. AF confirm and AF adjust also works, but because the DOF is so large there is quite a lot of margin. Live-view x10 works better

I find the focus ring a but spongy, there seems to be a bit of a dead area before it catches and changes focus, is that normal?

I also made a spacer, much in the same way. No complaints about my focus ring, it operates smoothly not spongy.

I chipped mine also (it came with the spacer). And my focus ring is not spongy at all. Operates nicely.

 

[Kathode-Ray]

Ok, thanks. I think i'll check it at the store with another one to see how that one feels.

 

[TLau74]

Just finished chipping my 14mm with a Canon EMF AF chip

I had to make a spacer to get the chip's contacts to the correct height, but after that installation and configuration was very easy.

Works like a charm! Very handy to have aperture and focal length data in EXIF. AF confirm and AF adjust also works, but because the DOF is so large there is quite a lot of margin. Live-view x10 works better

I find the focus ring a but spongy, there seems to be a bit of a dead area before it catches and changes focus, is that normal?

I also made a spacer, much in the same way. No complaints about my focus ring, it operates smoothly not spongy.

I chipped mine also (it came with the spacer). And my focus ring is not spongy at all. Operates nicely.

May I ask where you obtained the chip?

 

[Kathode-Ray]

E-bay, look for 'Canon EMF AF chip' or 'AF confirm chip' if you don't need the EXIF data.

 

[mrsfotografie]

E-bay, look for 'Canon EMF AF chip' or 'AF confirm chip' if you don't need the EXIF data.

I got a programmable chip (recommended), that allows you to program the max aperture and focal length of the lens, as well as micro focus adjust on the chip itself. I'm sure you can find it on ebay somewhere but I got it here:

http://www.fotoshopaalten.com/nl/af-bevestigings-chip-voor-canon-eos.html

 

[Kathode-Ray]

Yep, that's the same one. I got it for under 10 bucks.

 

[cliffwang]

May I ask where you obtained the chip?

You can get that from ebay. I am not handy and lazy people, so I bought Nikon version and use buy the converter with confirming chip.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AF-Confirm-Nikon-AI-Lens-To-Canon-EOS-EF-Mount-Adapter-For-7D-50D-60D-550D-/190978964133

 

[mrsfotografie]

May I ask where you obtained the chip?

You can get that from ebay. I am not handy and lazy people, so I bought Nikon version and use buy the converter with confirming chip.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AF-Confirm-Nikon-AI-Lens-To-Canon-EOS-EF-Mount-Adapter-For-7D-50D-60D-550D-/190978964133

That is an interesting product... almost makes me wonder if there is an adapter that allows AF too...

 

[bholliman]

I'm still trying to figure out which one of these AF chips to buy on eBay. They all appear to be the same thing, but prices range from $4.15 to $38.99. Descriptions and prices include:

• New Optix V6 AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS ( Can Store 3 Lens Config) $38.99
• New Optix V5+ AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS $28.99
• AF Chip "Dandelion" for Canon EOS. Origin EMF chip made by Victor Lushnikov $23.98
• *EURO* ETTL AF Confirm EMF Program Chip for Canon EOS 5D Mark3 MkIII 6D 600D 50D $22.77
• EMF AF Confirm chip for Canon EOS EF camera $10.93
• New generation easy install AF Confirm chip for canon + EXIF EDIT with installer $7.15
• AF confirm chip chipset for Canon EOS EF lens adapter $4.15

???

I'm interested in the chip that will provide the most features and functionality. I'd be happy to spend $39 instead of $4 if the more expensive chip had advantages that are worth $35 or more. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'm still trying to figure out which one of these AF chips to buy on eBay. They all appear to be the same thing, but prices range from $4.15 to $38.99. Descriptions and prices include:

• New Optix V6 AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS ( Can Store 3 Lens Config) $38.99
• New Optix V5+ AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS $28.99
• AF Chip "Dandelion" for Canon EOS. Origin EMF chip made by Victor Lushnikov $23.98
• *EURO* ETTL AF Confirm EMF Program Chip for Canon EOS 5D Mark3 MkIII 6D 600D 50D $22.77
• EMF AF Confirm chip for Canon EOS EF camera $10.93
• New generation easy install AF Confirm chip for canon + EXIF EDIT with installer $7.15
• AF confirm chip chipset for Canon EOS EF lens adapter $4.15

???

I'm interested in the chip that will provide the most features and functionality. I'd be happy to spend $39 instead of $4 if the more expensive chip had advantages that are worth $35 or more. Any suggestions appreciated.

I purchased the "dandelion" chip myself. It gives you quite a bit of functionality. Programming it via the camera is a little awkward, but can be done. The primary thing I wanted was not the focus assist aspect (I find the combination of prefocusing at more narrow apertures and then using live view x10 at wider aperture a more sure bet), but it was important to me to get some a reasonable EXIF data for cataloging, as I have other lenses that also don't report EXIF data and there are times that I want to sort my work by lens.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I'm still trying to figure out which one of these AF chips to buy on eBay. They all appear to be the same thing, but prices range from $4.15 to $38.99. Descriptions and prices include:

• New Optix V6 AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS ( Can Store 3 Lens Config) $38.99
• New Optix V5+ AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS $28.99
• AF Chip "Dandelion" for Canon EOS. Origin EMF chip made by Victor Lushnikov $23.98
• *EURO* ETTL AF Confirm EMF Program Chip for Canon EOS 5D Mark3 MkIII 6D 600D 50D $22.77
• EMF AF Confirm chip for Canon EOS EF camera $10.93
• New generation easy install AF Confirm chip for canon + EXIF EDIT with installer $7.15
• AF confirm chip chipset for Canon EOS EF lens adapter $4.15

???

I'm interested in the chip that will provide the most features and functionality. I'd be happy to spend $39 instead of $4 if the more expensive chip had advantages that are worth $35 or more. Any suggestions appreciated.

I purchased the "dandelion" chip myself. It gives you quite a bit of functionality. Programming it via the camera is a little awkward, but can be done. The primary thing I wanted was not the focus assist aspect (I find the combination of prefocusing at more narrow apertures and then using live view x10 at wider aperture a more sure bet), but it was important to me to get some a reasonable EXIF data for cataloging, as I have other lenses that also don't report EXIF data and there are times that I want to sort my work by lens.

The top one I would only use for an adapter because if you glue the chip onto a lens, it requires setup for one lens only.

Get an EMF chip. Mine has the following specs:

Chip EMF type.
1. Lens maximum aperture can be programmed from F/1.0 to F/45
2. Focal length an be programmed from 1mm to 65535mm
3. Focus micro-adjustment possible in steps from 0 to 31.
4. Data is saved in the chip.
5. Supports AV and Manual modes.
6. Exposure data can be saved in EXIF.


And this is how I programmed it:

Samyang 14 mm: 14mm F/2.8, Micro focus adjust 26


Preparation:

1 Turn camera on and attach adapter with chip,aperture shows F1.4 on camera.
2 set Manual mode.
3 shutter speed to 1/60 second
4 aperture increment step to 1/3 EV. (it is the most Canon digital camera default setting).

set the aperture value to F/64 and press shutter button once.
set the aperture value to F/57 and press shutter button once.
set the aperture value to F/64 and press shutter button once.
Turn the aperture dial, set the Max aperture to F1.0.

For example: 14mm f2.8 micro adjustment 24

Enter programing mode: F64 shutter, F57 shutter, F64 shutter


Setting focal length
====================

Setting focal length mode: F2.2 shutter

Enter focal length value: F2.0 shutter F2.0 shutter F2.0 shutter F2.2 shutter F3.2 shutter (00014)

Store parameter to chip: F57 shutter F64 shutter F57 shutter

Focal length setting done to 14mm.


Setting Max aperture
====================

Setting Max aperture mode: F2.0 shutter

Enter Max aperture value: F2.8 shutter

Store parameter to emf chip: F57 shutter F64 shutter F57 shutter

Max aperture setting done to F2.8.


focus micro adjustment
======================

Enter programing mode: F64 shutter, F57 shutter, F64 shutter

focus micro adjustment mode: F2.5 shutter.

Enter focus micro adjustment value: F2.5 shutter F4.0 shutter.

Store parameter to emf chip: F57 shutter F64 shutter F57 shutter

Micro adjustment setting up done as 26.

 

[bholliman]

I purchased the "dandelion" chip myself. It gives you quite a bit of functionality. Programming it via the camera is a little awkward, but can be done. The primary thing I wanted was not the focus assist aspect (I find the combination of prefocusing at more narrow apertures and then using live view x10 at wider aperture a more sure bet), but it was important to me to get some a reasonable EXIF data for cataloging, as I have other lenses that also don't report EXIF data and there are times that I want to sort my work by lens.

The top one I would only use for an adapter because if you glue the chip onto a lens, it requires setup for one lens only.

Get an EMF chip. Mine has the following specs:

Chip EMF type.
1. Lens maximum aperture can be programmed from F/1.0 to F/45
2. Focal length an be programmed from 1mm to 65535mm
3. Focus micro-adjustment possible in steps from 0 to 31.
4. Data is saved in the chip.
5. Supports AV and Manual modes.
6. Exposure data can be saved in EXIF.

And this is how I programmed it:

Thanks for the detailed and informative responses! I ordered a dandelion EMF chip today. The programming instructions will really come in handy when it arrives. Obtaining accurate EXIF data is my primary objective here as well.

 

[wickidwombat]

I'm still trying to figure out which one of these AF chips to buy on eBay. They all appear to be the same thing, but prices range from $4.15 to $38.99. Descriptions and prices include:

• New Optix V6 AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS ( Can Store 3 Lens Config) $38.99
• New Optix V5+ AF Confirm PCB Chip for Canon EOS $28.99
• AF Chip "Dandelion" for Canon EOS. Origin EMF chip made by Victor Lushnikov $23.98
• *EURO* ETTL AF Confirm EMF Program Chip for Canon EOS 5D Mark3 MkIII 6D 600D 50D $22.77
• EMF AF Confirm chip for Canon EOS EF camera $10.93
• New generation easy install AF Confirm chip for canon + EXIF EDIT with installer $7.15
• AF confirm chip chipset for Canon EOS EF lens adapter $4.15

???

I'm interested in the chip that will provide the most features and functionality. I'd be happy to spend $39 instead of $4 if the more expensive chip had advantages that are worth $35 or more. Any suggestions appreciated.

AF Chip "Dandelion" for Canon EOS. Origin EMF chip made by Victor Lushnikov $23.98

this is the one i have

 

[weko]

I was skeptical about this old school lens originally, but thanks Dustin for the nice review and beautiful shots, just pulled the trigger for this lens. Here is a shot I did yesterday evening. ISO 100, f22, 0.4 sec, 7 ft. C/C is welcome. Thanks.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I was skeptical about this old school lens originally, but thanks Dustin for the nice review and beautiful shots, just pulled the trigger for this lens. Here is a shot I did yesterday evening. ISO 100, f22, 0.4 sec, 7 ft. C/C is welcome. Thanks.

Stylish shot. You've used the distortion to your benefit here, and the textures are nice and crisp.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Speaking of distortion. Someone sent me a link to my website of a great profile for Rokinon/Samyang. It is "technically" for a D600, but does a fabulous job with all FF bodies. I've been impressed by it in the last couple of days

http://www.svenstork.com/2013/10/02/rokinon-14mm-lightroom-lens-profile/

 

[mrsfotografie]

Speaking of distortion. Someone sent me a link to my website of a great profile for Rokinon/Samyang. It is "technically" for a D600, but does a fabulous job with all FF bodies. I've been impressed by it in the last couple of days

http://www.svenstork.com/2013/10/02/rokinon-14mm-lightroom-lens-profile/

Thanks Dustin, I will have a go at this and try to make it work for my MkII and III.

 

[mrsfotografie]

Speaking of distortion. Someone sent me a link to my website of a great profile for Rokinon/Samyang. It is "technically" for a D600, but does a fabulous job with all FF bodies. I've been impressed by it in the last couple of days

http://www.svenstork.com/2013/10/02/rokinon-14mm-lightroom-lens-profile/

Thanks Dustin, I will have a go at this and try to make it work for my MkII and III.

Ok I modified the text file so it can now be selected from the lens profile list under make 'Samyang'. This way it is independent of the camera model or brand. Download it below:

 

[mrsfotografie]

Here's the adobe lens profile in action:

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Speaking of distortion. Someone sent me a link to my website of a great profile for Rokinon/Samyang. It is "technically" for a D600, but does a fabulous job with all FF bodies. I've been impressed by it in the last couple of days

http://www.svenstork.com/2013/10/02/rokinon-14mm-lightroom-lens-profile/

Thanks Dustin, I will have a go at this and try to make it work for my MkII and III.

Ok I modified the text file so it can now be selected from the lens profile list under make 'Samyang'. This way it is independent of the camera model or brand. Download it below:

Nice work. Thank you. It is a great profile.