Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

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Archive 2009 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

jcolwell
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p.8 #1 · 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.8 #2 · 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.8 #3 · 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.8 #4 · 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.8 #5 · 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.8 #6 · 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.8 #7 · 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.8 #8 · 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.8 #9 · 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.8 #10 · 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

AbramG
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p.8 #11 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

trumpey_guy,

Wow, seriously awesome! Are you using the EE-S screen on your 5D? I've got an EG-S screen for my 5D which helps with MF for sure.

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:06 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.8 #12 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I am about to put the EE-S screen in, but right now I've been using a Brightscreen with splt prism and micro
prism. These were shot with focus bracketing: get close then take lots of shots while either moving
toward/away from the subject or rotating the focus ring slightly.

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:30 PM

ht1948
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p.8 #13 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Guys, for those that are still on the fence and in the US. You can get one for $200 right now thru Overstock. Their price is 235, use Bing Cash Back to earn 12% back and you're looking at 2 Benjamins for this little cutie. I'm talking about the Nikon mount, the Canon mount is 10 bucks cheaper, I think. Go go go. Just bought me one

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:59 AM

Daniel Heineck
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p.8 #14 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Canon is over $100 more, unless something changed since you ordered.

Nov 20, 2009 at 05:08 AM

timpdx
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p.8 #15 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I got mine through Overstock, but also bought the filter kit, since I didn't have filters UV/Polarizer in that size. But the filter kit is weeeeeaaaaak. Filters are as cheap as can be humanly made. In a pinch, I guess at a few bucks each, I didn't get totally ripped off. But I recommend skipping the filter pack offered at Overstock. Otherwise, I am very, very pleased with my Rokinon 85.

Nov 20, 2009 at 06:32 AM

AbramG
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p.8 #16 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I dont even see the canon listed on overstock.com. i guess you guys snapped them all up!

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:56 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.8 #17 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

I did some more shooting with the Rokinon. This was a bokeh torture test.
Forgive the bad lighting, but I was at ISO 3200 on the 5D with the lens wide open
at f/1.4 and I still had to bump up the brightness slider in DPP for these.

This lens shows some artifacts on out of focus highlights. See the flare
pattern on the out of focus light bulbs at the right.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

The bokeh with lights that are farther past the depth of field is more normal.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This behavior is seen in the center of the image also. See here:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Any idea what causes this star-flare pattern?
The lens certain did well in other respects in this really poorly lighted scene.

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:26 AM

AbramG
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p.8 #18 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Well all things considered.... I still am impressed with this $250 lens. When I need an 85 again I will most definitely buy one.

Nov 22, 2009 at 07:40 AM

Greg Feldman
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p.8 #19 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Count me in. Just ordered an EF-mount one for family travel, when I don't want to bring the 85L with me.

Dec 02, 2009 at 10:17 PM

ShadowWalker
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p.8 #20 · Got my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

ht1948 wrote:
Guys, for those that are still on the fence and in the US. You can get one for $200 right now thru Overstock. Their price is 235, use Bing Cash Back to earn 12% back and you're looking at 2 Benjamins for this little cutie. I'm talking about the Nikon mount, the Canon mount is 10 bucks cheaper, I think. Go go go. Just bought me one

I guess they heard about this thread ... they raised their prices. And strangely MS Bing cashback is listed as 15% for the purchase which would bring it down to $223 .. but when you do it, you only actually get a 7% cashback so it's more like $240. Still a good price but I'm curious as to why bing cashback would say it gets 15% and then you only get 7%.

Looks like a sweet lens ... amazing value for the price.

Dec 04, 2009 at 10:20 PM

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