Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

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Archive 2009 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech
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p.6 #1 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Makten wrote:
DubiousDrewski wrote:
Unlike nearly all lenses out there, this lens actually decreases in image quality the more you stop down from f1.4.

That's just rubbish. The IQ increases upon stopping down, but not as much as with many other similar lenses. Peak performance in the middle seems to be at f/5.6 on 12 mpix FF. For the corners, further stopping down to f/11 is needed to reach best performance.

+1

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:52 PM

Jos Tesseract
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p.6 #2 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech wrote:
Much in the same way that some GE, LG, Samsung and Maytag dryers are exactly the same, but priced differently and sold at different stores.

nice analogy.

Nov 17, 2009 at 08:33 PM

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

Trumpet_guy,
I noticed in your comparison of landscape shots that the focal plane in the two shots was very different and could go a long way to explaining the apparent difference in resolving power. While the fenceline shots could go either way, the writing on the sign is much sharper and clearer in the Rokinon shot than in the Zeiss one. This indicates that the Rok was focused significantly forward relative to the Zeiss.

Jim

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:06 PM

cogitech
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p.6 #4 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Grenache wrote:
Trumpet_guy,
I noticed in your comparison of landscape shots that the focal plane in the two shots was very different and could go a long way to explaining the apparent difference in resolving power. While the fenceline shots could go either way, the writing on the sign is much sharper and clearer in the Rokinon shot than in the Zeiss one. This indicates that the Rok was focused significantly forward relative to the Zeiss.

Jim

Agreed. I was happy to ignore this because I have no plans to use the Rokinon for landscape shooting, but I noticed this as well.

BTW, I did take some really boring f11 "landscape" shots with my copy the other day, if anyone cares to see them.

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:12 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #5 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Grenache wrote:
Trumpet_guy,
I noticed in your comparison of landscape shots that the focal plane in the two shots was very different and could go a long way to explaining the apparent difference in resolving power. While the fenceline shots could go either way, the writing on the sign is much sharper and clearer in the Rokinon shot than in the Zeiss one. This indicates that the Rok was focused significantly forward relative to the Zeiss.

Jim

Jim,

I noticed this too, and scanned through the many shots in my focus bracket sequence.
What I found was that there is lots of field curvature in the Rokinon when focused to infinity.
I tried to pick a compromise focus point for both lenses, but there was no way to achieve
uniformly sharp results on distant subjects with the Rokinon. If I get time I can post some
other shots to illustrate this. This is itself a significant vote against the Rokinon for landscape
shooting.

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:17 PM

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

Bummer.

Looks like ZE85 will have to still remain on my list. I used one earlier this year and mostly loved it, except for its MFD performance. It would seem that the Rok makes a cheap close range foil.

Jim

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:24 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #7 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Jim,

You could consider getting the Rok and then just using an 85 Sonnar for landcape work.
I'll post another few Rok shots at different focus points for comparision. So much good about this
lens, but at this price point there are bound to be some compromises.

Nov 17, 2009 at 09:29 PM

AbramG
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p.6 #8 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech wrote:
Much in the same way that some GE, LG, Samsung and Maytag dryers are exactly the same, but priced differently and sold at different stores.

Perfect analogy! Thank you sir. If / when I decide to get one of these I'll just go for the Rokinon

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:45 AM

gasrocks
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p.6 #9 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I had the Vivitar version and returned it. Missed it and just 2 months later got the Rokunar version at $100. less - same lens.

Nov 18, 2009 at 01:05 AM

DubiousDrewski
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p.6 #10 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Nov 18, 2009 at 01:17 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #11 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Here is another f/8 shot from the Rokinon. Here the focus is set all the
way to the end of travel on the focus ring -- as far to infinity as it goes.
If you look at the left side crop, in particular, you can see that the chain link fence
is now in better focus, and the foreground bushes are also in focus, but that as
you move toward the center the foreground bushes go out of focus and the chain
link fence loses focus as well.

It appears like the region of sharp focus curves toward the camera at the perimeter
of the image circle (disk). The full size image is here:
http://www.pbase.com/tswen/image/119492848/original

full image

This image is copyrighted by the owner

left 100% crop

This image is copyrighted by the owner

center 100% crop

This image is copyrighted by the owner

right 100% crop

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 18, 2009 at 05:00 AM

prashant
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p.6 #12 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I heard problems with the lenses aperture ring after about 1000 shots, has anybody experienced this? There was a group at flickr which discussed this but am not able find the link now. I'm really interested in this lens.

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:21 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #13 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Some near focus images from the Rokinon to balance out the infinity stuff.

I think these were at f/2.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:22 PM

cogitech
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p.6 #14 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

prashant wrote:
I heard problems with the lenses aperture ring after about 1000 shots, has anybody experienced this? There was a group at flickr which discussed this but am not able find the link now. I'm really interested in this lens.

I have only read one complaint of this, and it was a Pentax mount version with auto-aperture. Apparently the blades got slow/sluggish. No need to worry about that on the Canon mount ones, I guess. ;-)

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:39 PM

cogitech
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p.6 #15 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

trumpet_guy wrote:
Some near focus images from the Rokinon to balance out the infinity stuff.

I think these were at f/2.

Very nice samples, Tim!

Such gorgeous rendering from this lens when it is used for its intended purpose. I can still barely believe how f^*#ing beautiful it is

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:40 PM

jcolwell
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p.6 #16 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I got mine yesterday. Looks like a fine product. Very clean and not even the smallest particle of dust within. I'm looking forward to comparing it with my Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 MM. One of them will be sold! (yeah, right

). Anyway, it'll take a few weeks for me to get the comparison done, as I'll be away for most of next week, and I just got back from a trip earlier this week.

I've noticed two slightly annoying features: (i) the lens won't fit in the nice lens bag when the hood is attached (reversed or not); and, (ii) I can't find a serial number on the lens. The last isn't a big problem, except if want to register the lens with customs, when you know that you'll be travelling out of the country with it.

Edited on Nov 18, 2009 at 11:57 PM · View previous versions

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:43 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #17 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cogitech wrote:
trumpet_guy wrote:
Some near focus images from the Rokinon to balance out the infinity stuff.

I think these were at f/2.

Very nice samples, Tim!
.............

Thanks, Paul. Yes, I've concluded that the lens is optimized for excellent near field performance.
If I want to shoot far field, I'll just reach for the Zeiss Sonnar. The price is amazingly low, and
this should be a wake-up call to those who think they just have to get the Canon 85/1.2L
at $1500 (!!!!) more. Sure the Canon will be easier to use, all in all, but when you are needing
this big of an aperture, you are just setting it and then focusing/shooting. Get a good focusing screen
and "go to town" as they say.

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.6 #18 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

jcolwell wrote:
I (ii) I can't find a serial number on the lens. The last isn't a big problem, except if want to register the lens with customs, when you know that you'll be travelling out of the country with it.

Yep. Been there. There is no serial number on the lens, at least not one that is visible. None on the box nor warranty card either. Probably a cost saving measure.

Nov 19, 2009 at 01:54 AM

jcolwell
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p.6 #19 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Tariq Gibran wrote:
jcolwell wrote:
I (ii) I can't find a serial number on the lens. The last isn't a big problem, except if want to register the lens with customs, when you know that you'll be travelling out of the country with it.

Yep. Been there. There is no serial number on the lens, at least not one that is visible. None on the box nor warranty card either. Probably a cost saving measure.

You can't argue with the cost.

Nov 19, 2009 at 02:04 AM

AbramG
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p.6 #20 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

trumpet_guy wrote:
Some near focus images from the Rokinon to balance out the infinity stuff.

I think these were at f/2.

*Picture snip*

WOWWWWWW!!!! That's awesome!! honestly who cares if it's not great stopped down. look how flippin awesome it is wide open!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Nov 19, 2009 at 03:57 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.6 #21 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Yes, I'm quite happy with the wide aperture performance. Focusing is a challenge
with depth of field this shallow, however.

Here are 100% crops from the 5D:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 19, 2009 at 07:27 AM

prashant
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p.6 #22 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

cool...will get one

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.6 #23 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

trumpet_guy wrote:
Yes, I'm quite happy with the wide aperture performance. Focusing is a challenge
with depth of field this shallow, however.

Here are 100% crops from the 5D:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Yes, as your crops show, this lens is simply remarkable when used at closer distances near wide open.

Nov 19, 2009 at 02:17 PM

RustyBug
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p.6 #24 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I really like the way the lamp post shot shows off your lens. The focus curve you mention reminds me of the shot in "what is 3-D" with the couple going between the hayfield and the corn row ... the in focus point on the corn seems significantly closer than the couple does ... that was from a $1k lens

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829238/5

Nov 19, 2009 at 03:10 PM

mbidwell
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p.6 #25 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

JMAN13

Thanks so much for the post. I had not been aware of the lens and this thread convinced me that it was an affordable option that slots nicely between my Nikkors: 10-24, 35f/1.8 and 300 f/4. I can report that it works on a Nikon D60 in full manual mode. Camera does not recognize lens; need to switch to M-mode. Aperture control is by aperture ring ( a bit hard to see tick marks as tucked under the prism). Adjust shutter speed with command dial. Interestingly the green focus dot in screen works but at f/1.4 is not really sensitive enough. My system is to adjust exposure looking at histogram, then take 3 photos at green-blinking, solid-green, and green-blinking on the back side. Never thought I could get images like this on my lowly D60, I am truly blown-away, and again thanks so much for bringing this lens to my attention.

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:45 PM


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