Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

I purchased the Cine version of the lens. Although I'm happy with many of the images that I've gotten with it for stills, I'm going to have to send it in for service because of a problem with the focus ring. Starting from close focus to far the focus marks seem to match actual focus, but when racking focus from infinity to, for instance, an object that's 10 feet away I have to rack the focus ring to about the 2 foot mark. Really makes it impossible to repeat focus stops while filming with it. Hopefully the warranty repair will fix it.

I have read others report some inaccuracy with the focus ring as related to the distance scale on the lens. For many applications it is a non-issue (stills, as you said), because you typically have such a large depth of field that you quickly discover what works in most situations and don't hardly think about focus. I can definitely see what you mean about racking focus for video purposes. I'm assuming that you must be shooting wide open in the situation you described, as even stopped down 1-2 stops I'm not sure you could differentiate much between infinity and 10 feet.

I would say that infinity focus comes sooner on my copy that what the distance scale says, although I haven' checked it scientifically yet.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

i do love mine
razor sharp at 2.8 but with heavy vignette
perfect sharp from edge to edge at f/11 and f/16. After that diffraction gets in the way

here are some shots taken from Greece

http://500px.com/photo/46185986
http://500px.com/photo/41061036
http://500px.com/photo/40862852

The only thing i hate with 14mm lenses are the filters

the 16-35L is more handy and all around lens. I'd love to have one. (however i use the similar 10-22 with my crop camera) however 14mm is WIDER than 16mm.. and yes those 2mm can make a difference (major reason why i chose 10-22 over the tokina 11-16 which is only 1mm shorter but thats another story.)

I wouldn't argue with any of your conclusions. The biggest advantage the Rokinon/Samyang has (other than the extra width) is sharpness. It is much sharper than any of the other wide angle options I have seen and used.

 

[scottkinfw]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

OK- Dumb question but..

How do you go about testing for when infinity comes on the lens focus ring vs. when it really comes?

I purchased the Cine version of the lens. Although I'm happy with many of the images that I've gotten with it for stills, I'm going to have to send it in for service because of a problem with the focus ring. Starting from close focus to far the focus marks seem to match actual focus, but when racking focus from infinity to, for instance, an object that's 10 feet away I have to rack the focus ring to about the 2 foot mark. Really makes it impossible to repeat focus stops while filming with it. Hopefully the warranty repair will fix it.

I have read others report some inaccuracy with the focus ring as related to the distance scale on the lens. For many applications it is a non-issue (stills, as you said), because you typically have such a large depth of field that you quickly discover what works in most situations and don't hardly think about focus. I can definitely see what you mean about racking focus for video purposes. I'm assuming that you must be shooting wide open in the situation you described, as even stopped down 1-2 stops I'm not sure you could differentiate much between infinity and 10 feet.

I would say that infinity focus comes sooner on my copy that what the distance scale says, although I haven' checked it scientifically yet.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

OK- Dumb question but..

How do you go about testing for when infinity comes on the lens focus ring vs. when it really comes?

I purchased the Cine version of the lens. Although I'm happy with many of the images that I've gotten with it for stills, I'm going to have to send it in for service because of a problem with the focus ring. Starting from close focus to far the focus marks seem to match actual focus, but when racking focus from infinity to, for instance, an object that's 10 feet away I have to rack the focus ring to about the 2 foot mark. Really makes it impossible to repeat focus stops while filming with it. Hopefully the warranty repair will fix it.

I have read others report some inaccuracy with the focus ring as related to the distance scale on the lens. For many applications it is a non-issue (stills, as you said), because you typically have such a large depth of field that you quickly discover what works in most situations and don't hardly think about focus. I can definitely see what you mean about racking focus for video purposes. I'm assuming that you must be shooting wide open in the situation you described, as even stopped down 1-2 stops I'm not sure you could differentiate much between infinity and 10 feet.

I would say that infinity focus comes sooner on my copy that what the distance scale says, although I haven' checked it scientifically yet.

I would recommend using Live View, aperture wide open, know your distance from your subject and adjust until your subject is in focus - now look at your distance scale - is it where it should be considering the actual distance?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC


By Light of the Moon by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[mrsfotografie]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

By Light of the Moon by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Another beautiful shot! You do a lot of driving around dusk if I may add. Whereabouts do you live/are these shots taken?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

Another beautiful shot! You do a lot of driving around dusk if I may add. Whereabouts do you live/are these shots taken?

I don't really go out all that often, but I do know my spots so I don't waste time. I actually have little spare time, so I have to shoot efficiently. I live in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada, and all of the shots with the Roki have been taken around here.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC


Reaching by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[mrsfotografie]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thousandwordimages/10036679436/

I love the vertigo inducing effect of these uwa lenses!

Why b/w though? I prefer color in most cases...

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thousandwordimages/10036679436/

I love the vertigo inducing effect of these uwa lenses!

Why b/w though? I prefer color in most cases...

Just like to keep some variety in my work. Different looks appeal to different people, and I've got followers who are big fans of monochrome work. I don't like being tied down to any certain type of photography or even a certain look - I want to be able to be creative!

Here's a link to the review that I published today on the Rokinon. Many more color pictures there

http://www.dustinabbott.net/2013/10/rokinon-14mm-f2-8-wide-angle-review/

 

[mrsfotografie]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

Dustin, thanks for the review, I agree with most of your findings. Note that flare can be an issue but only wide open. Here's an example that I shot to check the flare resistance.

 

[stephan00]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

A few shots taken at the local fun-fair. But boy, am I thankful for the lens-profile in Lightroom

[edit: removed some and replaced them, those were taken with the 16-35, sorry]

 

[stephan00]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

And four more

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC


Jacob's Ladder by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[Zv]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

I think I'm gonna like this lens! ;D ;D ;D

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

The amount of detail this lens renders is stunning:

 

[CarlTN]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

And four more

These didn't load for me before, very nicely done!

 

[CarlTN]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

The amount of detail this lens renders is stunning:

Lots of detail, but I wanted to see a larger version!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

The amount of detail this lens renders is stunning:

Lots of detail, but I wanted to see a larger version!

Sorry - this one has commercial value, so I don't give away the big ones.

 

[Click]

Re: Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

The amount of detail this lens renders is stunning:

Lovely shot Dustin 8)