Hello gentleman, I am looking on advice if I should purchase this lens or not (the one with the automatic chip) and if there are any secrets in using this lens. I currently own a D90 with the 35mm 1.8 Nikon and the Tamron 17-50 (non VC of course). I think the Rokinon 85mm will compliment the other lenses well. I have looked at the 70-300 Tamon VC but to me that lens has hardly any bokeh. Also, when using my Tamron 17-50, I have noticed that I almost never zoom with it, I either leave it at 17mm or 50mm, so I think I'm a prime lenses guy and I like to keep it simple.
At any rate I did the research on here and from what I've gathered this is a good lens for the buck, it's 2 or 3 times cheaper that the big name lenses.
I travel a lot and I use the 35mm for casual shooting/self portraits, and the 17-50 for landscapes and close up shots. I plan on using the 85mm for candid people shots in the countries I visit. So my concern is that the Rokinon 85mm is a manual lens. Do you think I will have a lot of trouble using it on people out in the street?
Also, from what I have read (please confirm this): I can use the Aperture ring on the lens and set it to the smallest Aperture and then I can use the Aperture ring on the camera to switch the Aperture?
EDIT: Two more questions, from what I understand the chip version of this lens tells you when you are in focus, yes?
And I read that it is hard to focus with this lens when shooting at wide open, do you think a Nikon DG-2 2x Eyepiece Magnifier might help with this? I have read that it's mostly used for macro work but can be used for portraits as well.
hulk2006 wrote:
I can use the Aperture ring on the lens and set it to the smallest Aperture and then I can use the Aperture ring on the camera to switch the Aperture?
If you get the chipped version, that is correct.
from what I understand the chip version of this lens tells you when you are in focus, yes?
Yes; camera focus-confirm will also work for the non-chipped version.
Of all my manual focus lenses I have the most problem getting critical focus with this one. Even on static subjects. My personal frustration level falls well below tracking a moving object with it. It is a real bargain, though, and pretty sharp.
I have a question about this lens that I can't seem to find the answer to. Seems that responses vary. I have a D700, I probably have 3 older manual focus lenses that I use on it regularly, so I'm in good practice. Do I need to buy the chipped version of the Rokinon to get the same functionality that these lenses have on the camera?
I've entered in the lens settings on the camera for them all, and the camera shows me basic info. I still use the aperture rings, and the info will show on the camera as I change the ring. I see the green focus dot/arrow in the viewfinder, but I can't say I actually use it a lot. Will the unchipped version give me this basic functionality - or do I need the chipped version to even see aperture settings on the camera? I guess I just don't know what the chipped advantage is.
^ The advantage of the chip is access to all the in between apertures that clicking the detents won't allow.
I shot this a lot in the f2-f2.8 range for portraits. The chip allows for f2.2 and f2.5 which you can't select using
the aperture ring. For an add'l $20 bucks...it's a no brainer, eh?!
You will see the aperture settings and the focus confirmation in the view finder with the un-chipped version if you program and select the lens in the menu. On my D700 correct focus on my manual lenses is indicated by the transition point of the dot and the right pointing arrow.
sandycrane wrote:
You will see the aperture settings and the focus confirmation in the view finder with the un-chipped version if you program and select the lens in the menu. On my D700 correct focus on my manual lenses is indicated by the transition point of the dot and the right pointing arrow.
Focus on my D7000 is pretty similar, right on the transition point of the dot/arrow (although i forget which arrow)... I also picked up a split screen focus screen from KatzEye to help with the manual focusing. I haven't had a chance to use the lens/focus screen combo outside of my living room yet, but based on the pictures of my collection of DVD's it seems a bit easier to get the focus right. However I'm sure practice practice practice will have a bigger effect than the focus screen in the long run.
^ The advantage of the chip is access to all the in between apertures that clicking the detents won't allow. I shot this a lot in the f2-f2.8 range for portraits. The chip allows for f2.2 and f2.5 which you can't select using the aperture ring. For an add'l $20 bucks...it's a no brainer, eh?!
Ooooh ok...that does make a difference . I can't wait to get this and play around. I recently sold a Nikon 85 1.8H lens that I strongly disliked. It was very soft, and I hated to let it go but I couldnt bring myself to use it. This would be a great replacement!
. I can't wait to get this and play around. I recently sold a Nikon 85 1.8H lens that I strongly disliked. It was very soft, and I hated to let it go but I couldnt bring myself to use it. This would be a great replacement!