Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

The Samyang 14mm outperforms every wide angle in the price bracket...granted, if shooting directly into the sun, flare control could be better, but with a domed front element, there is only so much one can do...it is also close to a perfect startrail lens, provided the scene can accommodate 14mm...

@ f/2.8

Horseshoe under the stars by posthumus_cake ([url=http://www.pinnaclephotography.net]www.pinnaclephotography.net)[/url], on Flickr

@ f/2.8

Moonrise over Zion by posthumus_cake ([url=http://www.pinnaclephotography.net]www.pinnaclephotography.net)[/url], on Flickr

probably @ f/4

The Cliffs of Insanity by posthumus_cake ([url=http://www.pinnaclephotography.net]www.pinnaclephotography.net)[/url], on Flickr

probably f/5.6 or f/8

into the valley by posthumus_cake ([url=http://www.pinnaclephotography.net]www.pinnaclephotography.net)[/url], on Flickr
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

I'm also considering the Samyang 14mm as a wide angle lens for a 6D I've recently purchased. I am somewhat concerned about the barrel distortion it reportedly has (this is coming from the review at photozone). Can anyone comment on how field relevant the distortion is? Has anyone had good results correcting it in post, or perhaps has not needed to? Thanks in advance!
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

ajperk said:
I'm also considering the Samyang 14mm as a wide angle lens for a 6D I've recently purchased. I am somewhat concerned about the barrel distortion it reportedly has (this is coming from the review at photozone). Can anyone comment on how field relevant the distortion is? Has anyone had good results correcting it in post, or perhaps has not needed to? Thanks in advance!

There is some fairly complex wave/mustache distortion, but unless you shoot a lot of architectural or flat horizons (typically seascapes), it isn't much of an issue. It is correctable with a lens profile, but that reduces the field of view down towards 15mm. Distortion aside, it optically trounces the 14L and is on par or slightly better than the Nikon 14-24 @ 14mm. Another advantage is that you can use it at f/5.6 with equivalent DOF as a 16mm lens at around f/8 or f/11 (basically, it is very hand-holdable).
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

pinnaclephotography said:
ajperk said:
I'm also considering the Samyang 14mm as a wide angle lens for a 6D I've recently purchased. I am somewhat concerned about the barrel distortion it reportedly has (this is coming from the review at photozone). Can anyone comment on how field relevant the distortion is? Has anyone had good results correcting it in post, or perhaps has not needed to? Thanks in advance!

There is some fairly complex wave/mustache distortion, but unless you shoot a lot of architectural or flat horizons (typically seascapes), it isn't much of an issue. It is correctable with a lens profile, but that reduces the field of view down towards 15mm. Distortion aside, it optically trounces the 14L and is on par or slightly better than the Nikon 14-24 @ 14mm. Another advantage is that you can use it at f/5.6 with equivalent DOF as a 16mm lens at around f/8 or f/11 (basically, it is very hand-holdable).

But how much CA, and how sharp is it, wide open at f/2.8?
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

CarlTN said:
pinnaclephotography said:
ajperk said:
I'm also considering the Samyang 14mm as a wide angle lens for a 6D I've recently purchased. I am somewhat concerned about the barrel distortion it reportedly has (this is coming from the review at photozone). Can anyone comment on how field relevant the distortion is? Has anyone had good results correcting it in post, or perhaps has not needed to? Thanks in advance!

There is some fairly complex wave/mustache distortion, but unless you shoot a lot of architectural or flat horizons (typically seascapes), it isn't much of an issue. It is correctable with a lens profile, but that reduces the field of view down towards 15mm. Distortion aside, it optically trounces the 14L and is on par or slightly better than the Nikon 14-24 @ 14mm. Another advantage is that you can use it at f/5.6 with equivalent DOF as a 16mm lens at around f/8 or f/11 (basically, it is very hand-holdable).

But how much CA, and how sharp is it, wide open at f/2.8?

I did just say it trounces the 14L and is comparable to the Nikon 14-24...that should qualify the lens as adequate. The Samyang/Rokinon/other sub-brand 14mm is extremely sharp in the center at all aperture settings, it is only the extreme corners that dip into the "only ok" territory. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled at all apertures. The only serious limitation (aside from being an all manual lens) is distortion, which as I mentioned above, is mostly only a problem for scenes with straight lines across the scene (horizon, etc.), which again, is correctable in post. Granted, there may be sample variation issues, but my copy is stellar. I would recommend using live view for best results though...even with a good viewfinder it can be tricky to tell if you are perfectly focused at such extremely wide focal lengths.

Feel free to listen to other opinions, but they will probably confirm what I just stated.
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/532-samyang14f28eosff
http://www.lenstip.com/239.11-Lens_review-Samyang_14_mm_f_2.8_ED_AS_IF_UMC_Summary.html
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

I have been considering this lens for months but couldn't quite make a decision. What bothers me the most is the concern of complex distortion. I'm glad that it may be correctable post, but it'd be nice if someone could post some pre and post process pictures.

The other option is 17-40 which is a safer choice. At least the resale value is good. I tried it once. Corners seem a little fuzzy.
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

sunnyVan said:
I have been considering this lens for months but couldn't quite make a decision. What bothers me the most is the concern of complex distortion. I'm glad that it may be correctable post, but it'd be nice if someone could post some pre and post process pictures.

The other option is 17-40 which is a safer choice. At least the resale value is good. I tried it once. Corners seem a little fuzzy.

Excellent points. I'm not sure the 17-40 would be as good as the Tokina 16-28 f/2.8, for similar money.

I too would like to see pre and post process correction of the mustache distortion of this Samyang. I assume similar software is used to correct mustache distortion of other wide primes like the Zeiss 21mm Distagon?
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

pinnaclephotography said:
I did just say it trounces the 14L and is comparable to the Nikon 14-24...that should qualify the lens as adequate. The Samyang/Rokinon/other sub-brand 14mm is extremely sharp in the center at all aperture settings, it is only the extreme corners that dip into the "only ok" territory. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled at all apertures. The only serious limitation (aside from being an all manual lens) is distortion, which as I mentioned above, is mostly only a problem for scenes with straight lines across the scene (horizon, etc.), which again, is correctable in post. Granted, there may be sample variation issues, but my copy is stellar. I would recommend using live view for best results though...even with a good viewfinder it can be tricky to tell if you are perfectly focused at such extremely wide focal lengths.

Feel free to listen to other opinions, but they will probably confirm what I just stated.
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/532-samyang14f28eosff
http://www.lenstip.com/239.11-Lens_review-Samyang_14_mm_f_2.8_ED_AS_IF_UMC_Summary.html

Thanks again for the info, no need to get testy (if you did). The Nikon supposedly is sharp to the corners at f/2.8. If the Samyang is not, then how closely is it really comparable to it? I realize there is likely sample variation, I just meant, how sharp is yours in the corners at or near f/2.8? Say at f/3.5?

And I thought the Canon 14mm L was supposed to be great, it's just priced way too high. I personally would buy the Zeiss 15mm before I bought the Canon, if I was going to spend that much...even though the Zeiss is a bit more.
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

CarlTN said:
Have you tried many good copies of 14mm II Canons and you find them worse than Samyang?
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

sunnyVan said:
I have been considering this lens for months but couldn't quite make a decision. What bothers me the most is the concern of complex distortion. I'm glad that it may be correctable post, but it'd be nice if someone could post some pre and post process pictures.

The other option is 17-40 which is a safer choice. At least the resale value is good. I tried it once. Corners seem a little fuzzy.

I have both the 17-40 L and the Samyang 14 mm. No direct comparison is possible because 17 mm is nowhere near as wide as 14 mm ;)

Btw the 14mm SY rules, especially with AF confirmation chip (I glued one onto the back of my mount and calibrated it just so :) )
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

I too would like to see pre and post process correction of the mustache distortion of this Samyang. I assume similar software is used to correct mustache distortion of other wide primes like the Zeiss 21mm Distagon?

Here's a side-by-side comparison image taken with the Samyang 14mm. Note the mustache distortion. Live View on tripod; 2.5 sec at f/16, ISO 100. This was processed rather quickly. I suspect I could spend a little more time and the ceiling would even be straighter.

2zny043.png
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

mrsfotografie said:
sunnyVan said:
I have been considering this lens for months but couldn't quite make a decision. What bothers me the most is the concern of complex distortion. I'm glad that it may be correctable post, but it'd be nice if someone could post some pre and post process pictures.

The other option is 17-40 which is a safer choice. At least the resale value is good. I tried it once. Corners seem a little fuzzy.

I have both the 17-40 L and the Samyang 14 mm. No direct comparison is possible because 17 mm is nowhere near as wide as 14 mm ;)

Btw the 14mm SY rules, especially with AF confirmation chip (I glued one onto the back of my mount and calibrated it just so :) )


That's what a lot of people say, but does the distortion bother you and how do you correct it?
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

tron said:
CarlTN said:
Have you tried many good copies of 14mm II Canons and you find them worse than Samyang?

Me? I have never tried either of those. I am just wanting to know what to buy, at under $750...If I had the "coin" many of you have, I would be paying people to post on this forum for me! If I hadn't bought a new camera, and a couple of lenses already in the last few months...then I could afford a high dollar wide angle lens. Of course I would have to just hold it up to paper and let it burn the image on that, because I would have no camera to mount it on...!
 
Upvote 0
Re: Samyang 14mm f2.8

Standard said:
I too would like to see pre and post process correction of the mustache distortion of this Samyang. I assume similar software is used to correct mustache distortion of other wide primes like the Zeiss 21mm Distagon?

Here's a side-by-side comparison image taken with the Samyang 14mm. Note the mustache distortion. Live View on tripod; 2.5 sec at f/16, ISO 100. This was processed rather quickly. I suspect I could spend a little more time and the ceiling would even be straighter.

2zny043.png

Interesting, thank you! I prefer the color balance and contrast of the uncorrected image better...and yes that is some weird mustache going on.

Like you, I need more time to edit, myself. I'm supposed to be doing it now, haha...I better sign out of this forum before I become even less productive than I already am, if that's possible!
 
Upvote 0