Its an amazing lens for landscape. Considering the low cost I find the build quality fine. Only thing to note is that the distance scale is not to scale. Shooting landscape using hyper-focal is a no brainer - f/16 set on 3-feet places a total “in focus” distance of 1’3” to infinity! However, my rule of thumb is to set on 7', which gives 1'8" to infinity.
Not sure AF confirm is exactly needed for 14mm lens, but is it problematic to buy a chip and glue it? Leitax has usually a lot of them. I think that Dandelion chip would solve AF confirm issue (and EXIF at least as far as lens ID goes).
I have this lens. Calibrate the distance scale with live view and a tape measure and then write the correct distances on the barrel. I did so on a strip of paper taped over the old distance scale.
You can use a free software package, hugin, to correct barrel and moustache distortion. Take a look here for the correct settings:
Unlike my 16-35 L II, which I found below the bar for optical quality at 16mm, the Samyang lens has amazing resolution and lack of CA even to the corners.
The various versions Rokinon, Bell and Howell, etc. are all reputed to be the same lens.
I recommend at some risk this article if you haven't done a lot of ultra-wide composition:
Here are my findings on the actual distances for the lens. The first photos is a preliminary setting, and the second is the final distances following extensive testing and measurements. All distances in feet, not meters. I find these accurate enough to guess the in between distances at f/2.8. But be warned, the lens has extensive vignetting at f/2.8, and I usualy choose to shoot at either f/5.6 or f/8 for outstanding results. f/8 is my "go-to" setting.
Peter where did you get the lens calibrated? If you did it yourself, how did you do it? Thanks, Vern
Hi Vern, I had it done by my friend Hans who is an instrumentmaker specialised in photographic equipment here in the Netherlands. He has the tools, that's why I brought him a visit, but actually it's even possible to do it yourself. The most important knowledge you need to have is: three little screws for calibration are under the rubber grip on the focussing ring. If you are able to get that of carefully, but not too carefully since you need some force to get it over the aperture ring and aperture, you are almost there. Loosen the three screws but don't get them out! Focus the lens on a subject at infinity with live view on. Turn the ring and redo the procedure to check if this is exactly infinity. If so fix the screws again. Hans used some locktite to fix the screws again, but I read in some DIY stories from people who didn't fix them at all, so I am not sure if that is necessary. The assemble the rubber grip over the lens again. I didn't care about the scale to be exactly right so no scale taped or whatever. Infinity is right and that was most important to me. I use the screen or live view for focussing most of the time. When I use the scale it's an estimate anyway and it's close enough with the great DOF this 14mm offers.
Hi Vern, I had it done by my friend Hans who is an instrumentmaker specialised in photographic equipment here in the Netherlands. He has the tools, that's why I brought him a visit, but actually it's even possible to do it yourself. The most important knowledge you need to have is: three little screws for calibration are under the rubber grip on the focussing ring. If you are able to get that of carefully, but not too carefully since you need some force to get it over the aperture ring and aperture, you are almost there. Loosen the three screws but don't get them out! Focus the lens on a subject at infinity with live view on. Turn the ring and redo the procedure to check if this is exactly infinity. If so fix the screws again. Hans used some locktite to fix the screws again, but I read in some DIY stories from people who didn't fix them at all, so I am not sure if that is necessary. The assemble the rubber grip over the lens again. I didn't care about the scale to be exactly right so no scale taped or whatever. Infinity is right and that was most important to me. I use the screen or live view for focussing most of the time. When I use the scale it's an estimate anyway and it's close enough with the great DOF this 14mm offers.
+1 on the adjustment/gaffer tape scale process. Easy to do, makes world of difference getting consistent accurate focus. Just take time and DO NOT remove, just loosen the screws - and don't go nuts re-tightening.
I have had this lens for a couple of years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have a very good copy and use it for star trails and landscapes. Very sharp wide open across the frame and even better in the corners by f4. I recently purchased the Wonderpana system for it with a 5 stop and the slim polarizer. On full frame I can't use both together, but one or the other works fine, especially after I apply the lens correction profile. Yes, minor annoyance not having info from lens, but once you see the quality you will easily forget about it.
this article if you haven't done a lot of ultra-wide composition: