Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

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Archive 2009 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Lotusm50
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p.3 #1 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

AbramG wrote:
Seeing as how there is samyang / rokinon / vivitar series 1 / bower(i think?) any others?

It's also under the brand, "Polar".

Nov 09, 2009 at 01:02 AM

Jman13
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p.3 #2 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

All have the exact same optics from what I understand. I think the Vivitar is by far the ugliest. I bought the Rokinon because it was cheaper than the Bower/Vivitar, and has the coolest name.

Nov 09, 2009 at 01:22 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.3 #3 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

After I bought my Rokinon, I found this review where the author states:
"Build quality seems to be worst with the Rokinon badged lenses, whereas the Vivitar/Polar/Samyang branded versions seem to have fewer, if any, problems."
http://www.jsvfoto.com/Home/faqs/nikkor85mmf14aisvspolar85mmf14/nikkorpolarreview

I don't believe it myself. There was an apparent issue with early samples of the Rokinon where a number of reports mentioned aperture blades sticking but then this guy says the same thing happened on his Polar branded version. I guess since so many of us on this board own this lens now, we will discover if there is an issue or not!

Nov 09, 2009 at 01:35 AM

cogitech
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p.3 #4 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

To my knowledge as well, they are all the same.

It is also marketed as Falcon and Opteka.

So the complete list is:

- Samyang (they actually manufacture them all)
- Rokinon
- Polar
- Vivitar
- Bower
- Falcon
- Opteka

Hell, there's even the "no name" or "no name at all" brand: http://cgi.ebay.ca/85mm-f1-4-Portrait-Lens-for-Nikon-D3-D90-D80-D5000-D700_W0QQitemZ190347093077 <-- That's a rip-off, BTW.

I have serious doubts about any "build quality" differences. It's pretty obvious they are all made in the same factory.

Nov 09, 2009 at 01:42 AM

AbramG
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p.3 #5 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Also just to confirm, this lens does NOT report any connection to the camera? No aperture control, no focus confirmation?

*Something like this is PERFECT for video on the 5D.*

Nov 09, 2009 at 08:04 AM

hubsand
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p.3 #6 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

My excuse was fatigue rather than drink, but I gave in to the temptation to snag this puppy last week: the rendering is very reminiscent of the Sigma 50/1.4: looks like a great (slow-working) partner to the (speedy) Canon 85mm f1.8 . . . the pair considerably cheaper and more versatile than the 85L solo.

Nov 09, 2009 at 08:23 AM

mawz
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p.3 #7 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

AbramG wrote:
Also just to confirm, this lens does NOT report any connection to the camera? No aperture control, no focus confirmation?

*Something like this is PERFECT for video on the 5D.*

Correct for EF and Alpha versions. Nikon's report effective aperture and give focus confirmation, Pentax's report full aperture and give focus confirmation. None of these have any electronics installed.

Nov 09, 2009 at 02:05 PM

timpdx
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p.3 #8 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Just got mine, too, its a nice lens, I can't complain at this price at all.

All these were on the 40D and wide open, Can't wait to try it on the 5D

very resistant to flare

surprisingly little vignetting at 1.4

1.4 is such narrow DOF, I thought I had the head when I had the running shoe

narrow DOF

Nov 09, 2009 at 04:44 PM

AbramG
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p.3 #9 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

hubsand wrote:
My excuse was fatigue rather than drink, but I gave in to the temptation to snag this puppy last week: the rendering is very reminiscent of the Sigma 50/1.4: looks like a great (slow-working) partner to the (speedy) Canon 85mm f1.8 . . . the pair considerably cheaper and more versatile than the 85L solo.

You know that's an interesting though I hadn't considered. I of course would love to have the 85L, but to be perfectly honest I'm completely happy with my 85 f/1.8, it just works, and works well. I use it all the time. It would be interesting indeed to use the both of these lenses together.

Nov 11, 2009 at 08:46 AM

helimat
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p.3 #10 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Once mine shows up, and I confirm it performs as well as these ones do, I am considering letting go of my 85L II, and using the Samyang 85/1.4 for wide open type stuff, and keeping my Rokkor 85/1.7 for stopped down type stuff. It will be hard to let go of the 85L though... But those funds could go to a LOT of other things.

Nov 11, 2009 at 04:12 PM

plastic_lens
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p.3 #11 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Everyone's favorite web guy Ken Rockwell likes the Vivitar version he tried. He has 100% samples comparing it to Nikkors:

Ken Rockwell's review of Vivitar 85/1.4

R.J.

Nov 11, 2009 at 04:22 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #12 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I received my Rokinon yesterday. Initial tests look fine. This lens has made it clear that I need to install
the ee-s focusing screen on my 5D. It's sitting around the house. I have a Brightscreen in there right now,
but it's not adequate to ensure good f/1.4 focusing.

There are little things about the lens that make it seem a little "cheap:" The hood does not easily
slip over the lens cap; the lens caps are cheap [I know, no big deal]; there are half-stop detents
between every f-stop except between f/1.4 and f/2 (that's strange). However, the lens feels pretty
solid and is optically very good, so it's a great bargain lens for the "alternative" shooter.

Nov 11, 2009 at 10:15 PM

cogitech
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p.3 #13 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Tim,

The caps and hood issues are the main issues that people have with the lens. That's saying a lot, in my mind.

I've ditched the plastic hood and I use a very nice, 15 dollar, metal screw in hood (donated from my SSC Aspherical

) and I plan not to use the front cap at all anyway.

Regarding the jump from f1.4 to f2, I don't find it all that strange. I know of other lenses that do this. For instance, the Rokkor 58/1.2 goes from f1.2 to f2, then half-stops between all the rest, which is why I made my own "f1.5-ish" stop on the Rokkor by filing the inner side of the aperture ring. Hey, maybe I'll do that to the Rokinon, too...

Nov 11, 2009 at 11:57 PM

pascal03
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p.3 #14 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

plastic_lens wrote:
Everyone's favorite web guy Ken Rockwell likes the Vivitar version he tried. He has 100% samples comparing it to Nikkors:

Ken Rockwell's review of Vivitar 85/1.4

R.J.

Well.... he does think it is a swell lens...

From about a weeks use now, I think the Rokinon is sharper and slightly better wide open and at f2.0 compared to the Nikon 85mm f1.8 and rivals the 85mm f1.4.

Nov 13, 2009 at 02:59 AM

mawz
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p.3 #15 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

pascal03 wrote:

Well.... he does think it is a swell lens...

From about a weeks use now, I think the Rokinon is sharper and slightly better wide open and at f2.0 compared to the Nikon 85mm f1.8 and rivals the 85mm f1.4.

Which 85/1.8 are you comparing it to? The AF version or the older (and better) pre-AI version?

I'd be quite interested if it outperformed my 85/1.8 K.

Nov 13, 2009 at 03:29 AM

wickerprints
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p.3 #16 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

plastic_lens wrote:
Everyone's favorite web guy Ken Rockwell likes the Vivitar version he tried. He has 100% samples comparing it to Nikkors:

Ken Rockwell's review of Vivitar 85/1.4

R.J.

Argh, now why did you have to go and do that. Now I can't get one or else I might be misconstrued as some KR acolyte.

(j/k)

Nov 13, 2009 at 03:33 AM

Makten
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p.3 #17 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

mawz wrote:
I'd be quite interested if it outperformed my 85/1.8 K.

I've not examined the detail sharpness, but the bokeh is very much smoother and the corners very much sharper on FF. I have both, so maybe I can perform a little test this weekend. They are very different, so I'm not sure we can say that one "outperformes" the other. Both are stellar.

Edit: Mine is an AI converted Nikkor-H, not the K. But the optics are probably identical.

Nov 13, 2009 at 09:57 AM

Jman13
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p.3 #18 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

After using this some more, I'm finding it easier to focus wide open than any previous fast lens in this focal range. I think it's because it's so sharp at wide apertures that it makes the focus snappier. I'm getting a surprising number of shots in focus, and I missed a LOT with my Zeiss 85/1.4. Really impressed with the lens. The only thing to complain about is, that like most manual focus fast 85mm lenses, the minimum focus distance is a pretty long 1m.

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:31 AM

hydrotoast
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p.3 #19 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech wrote:
To my knowledge as well, they are all the same.

It is also marketed as Falcon and Opteka.

So the complete list is:

- Samyang (they actually manufacture them all)
- Rokinon
- Polar
- Vivitar
- Bower
- Falcon
- Opteka

Hell, there's even the "no name" or "no name at all" brand: http://cgi.ebay.ca/85mm-f1-4-Portrait-Lens-for-Nikon-D3-D90-D80-D5000-D700_W0QQitemZ190347093077 <-- That's a rip-off, BTW.

I have serious doubts about any "build quality" differences. It's pretty obvious they are all made in the same factory.
You are right about the rip off bit and where does he get the RRP of $780 from

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:41 AM

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p.3 #20 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech wrote:
Regarding bokeh, I dug up this sample from the Planar, which was one of the images that convinced me not to keep it. The Rokinon won't ever do this.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Haha - you know I love this look. More depth!

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Makten
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p.3 #21 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

brainiac wrote:
Haha - you know I love this look. More depth!

Me too, but only for closeups! At larger distances, a "hard" bokeh is much more distracting since the OOF blur discs are too small in relation to the subject.

Nov 13, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.3 #22 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Jman13 wrote:
After using this some more, I'm finding it easier to focus wide open than any previous fast lens in this focal range. I think it's because it's so sharp at wide apertures that it makes the focus snappier. I'm getting a surprising number of shots in focus, and I missed a LOT with my Zeiss 85/1.4. Really impressed with the lens. The only thing to complain about is, that like most manual focus fast 85mm lenses, the minimum focus distance is a pretty long 1m.

I found that also. Much easier to focus wide open or even at f2-2.8.

Nov 13, 2009 at 11:58 AM

cogitech
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p.3 #23 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Jman13 wrote:
After using this some more, I'm finding it easier to focus wide open than any previous fast lens in this focal range. I think it's because it's so sharp at wide apertures that it makes the focus snappier. I'm getting a surprising number of shots in focus, and I missed a LOT with my Zeiss 85/1.4. Really impressed with the lens. The only thing to complain about is, that like most manual focus fast 85mm lenses, the minimum focus distance is a pretty long 1m.

I may be adding a shim to mine in the near future. I'll let you know how it works out.

Nov 13, 2009 at 01:27 PM

cogitech
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p.3 #24 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

brainiac wrote:

Haha - you know I love this look. More depth!

Well, variety is the spice of life, after all. We probably have different preferences of beer, wine and women, too ;-)

Nov 13, 2009 at 01:30 PM

cogitech
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p.3 #25 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

One thing I'll note about the Rokinon and all the hubbub surrounding it; it is making it basically impossible for me to get a decent price for my 85/1.2 SSC Aspherical. 2 months ago this lens would have been an instant sell. Now, nobody seems to want it, even at a heavily reduced price.

Nov 13, 2009 at 01:34 PM


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