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Archive 2009 · 3 85s Compared

cogitech
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 3 85s Compared

Well, I felt bad for cancelling the big 85mm test I was planning, so I managed to find a bit of time today to shoot my 3 85s.

Here are the results, for anyone who is interested:

Full images:
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/full_images/85_comp_full_images.jpg

Extreme (top left) corner bokeh:
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/corner_bokeh/85_comp_corner_bokeh.jpg
To be continued...

Edited on Jan 28, 2010 at 07:45 AM · View previous versions

Oct 18, 2009 at 05:07 PM

ovredal73
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 3 85s Compared

Wow, thats great. I must say I am surprised at the Rokinon. I was of course expecting the SSC to win out in the bokeh dept, which it did (in my humble opinion

)

Oct 18, 2009 at 05:30 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 3 85s Compared

ovredal73 wrote:
Wow, thats great. I must say I am surprised at the Rokinon. I was of course expecting the SSC to win out in the bokeh dept, which it did (in my humble opinion

)

The Rokinon (Samyang) 85/1.4 does at 85mm what the Sigmalux does at 50mm.

More to follow...

Oct 18, 2009 at 05:49 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 3 85s Compared

Love the look of the 85L, but I have to say...that Rokinon looks fantastic!

Oct 18, 2009 at 05:56 PM

ovredal73
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 3 85s Compared

I am quite happy to see that small 3rd party producers make such great lenses even today. Alts aren´t just from the giants´ past.

Oct 18, 2009 at 06:01 PM

justruss
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 3 85s Compared

Thanks for the quick test Cogi. Man.... that Samyang really does look good.

Oct 18, 2009 at 06:20 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 3 85s Compared

Here we can look at colour and skin tone. The white balance was set identically on all the RAWs, so we can see colour cast.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4023652957_e8753a4834_b.jpg

At 100%, we can also get a good idea how they all resolve, although I have to say that I only focus bracketed 3 shots for each lens, so focus error could certainly play a role. I don't think there's too much error, but it is certainly possible.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4023652957_d5d3b27be4_o.jpg

(My daughter had just had a fight with her sister, so she wasn't in the best of spirits. She did volunteer to be my model, though

)

I plan to do a more though, controlled resolution test if/when I have time.

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:13 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 3 85s Compared

Wow, that Rokinon is a beast. IMO, it's the equal of the 85/1.2 in resolution, and I actually think it's a little better in the bokeh department.

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:17 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 3 85s Compared

That's it! I'm buying that damn Rokinion for my a900. At just over $200 after discounts, it's hard to go wrong seeing your tests. I will be sure to post some results when it arrives.

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:23 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 3 85s Compared

Jman13 wrote:
Wow, that Rokinon is a beast. IMO, it's the equal of the 85/1.2 in resolution, and I actually think it's a little better in the bokeh department.

Another test out there shows it to be at least as sharp as the Summilux 80/1.4 (wide open) and with much smoother bokeh. Here's the link http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8293 Despite the focus variation in the test, it is pretty easy to see how the Rokinon performs against a lens that is worth 10x as much money.

I am very much anticipating the Samyang (Rokinon, etc.) 35/1.2 Aspherical

Edited on Oct 18, 2009 at 07:30 PM · View previous versions

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:25 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 3 85s Compared

Tariq Gibran wrote:
That's it! I'm buying that damn Rokinion for my a900. At just over $200 after discounts, it's hard to go wrong seeing your tests. I will be sure to post some results when it arrives.

I think you'll like it

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:28 PM

PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 3 85s Compared

Interesting...

Looking at the last six images I see some slight extra cyan/green in the skin tones with the FD. With the final group at f2 I think her head is slightly more in profile with the Rokinon and the EF/1.8, so the cap looks more detailed and in focus than the FD shot.

But they are all very similar which surprises me. I am quite impressed with the Rokinon here. What is also noticeable is how strong the EF lens is. The EF looses some bokeh value by not being able to go beyond f1.8, but its color and detail look really good. It definitely holds its own at f2.

What would be interesting is to add a European 85 into the test.

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:35 PM

Jonas B
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 3 85s Compared

The Samyang 85/1.4 rendering is like the Sigma 50/1.4... indeed. It is also pretty much the same size and weight as the Sigmalux.

Thank you for the comparison Paul. Like you I am very much looking forward to see the Samyang 35/1.2, hoping the rumor comes true.

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:45 PM

bluetsunami
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 3 85s Compared

I love how the Samyang's OoF rendition is contrasty without being harsh (where the 85/1.8 would just be harsh and contrasty).

Oct 18, 2009 at 07:58 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 3 85s Compared

Done. I should have the lens later this week.

The test of the Samyang 85 at letsgodigital found it superior wide open and up to about one or two stops down but mentioned that it never really achieves the absolute resolution of other 85's when it is stopped down further. Perhaps it was just their sample? Paul, can you confirm this finding with your sample?

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:02 PM

jabog6
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 3 85s Compared

Thanks for the comparison.

It's quite a change to be lusting after an affordable lens...

(I'm not sure that's better for my wallet, as I might actually buy this one!)

PS: you have a very patient subject.

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:04 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 3 85s Compared

I'd love to see any 28-35mm f/1.4 prime that equals Sigmalux or Rokinon 85/1.4. It'd complete my Rokkor like a charm on the XSi... Those two and a WA (Vivitar 17? Tamron 17? Zuiko 21?) would be a 'cheap alt trinity'...

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:07 PM

surfotog
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 3 85s Compared

Now, you've done it, I've been close to pulling the trigger on this for a few weeks and now i have.
What else does Samyang have up it's sleeve? I've heard of the 14/2.8 and 35/1.2( 35/1.4 for those who don't shoot Canon). Dare we dream of a high performance 180/2 for $1500?

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:15 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 3 85s Compared

PhotoMaximum wrote:
The EF looses some bokeh value by not being able to go beyond f1.8, but its color and detail look really good. It definitely holds its own at f2.

The EF's bokeh is just plain bad compared to these other two, IMO. Look at the f2 bokeh samples again. The EF just doesn't have a chance. Unless, of course, you like the cat's eye effect. The fact that the EF shows this effect so stongly in comparison to the others is due in large part to the size of its rear element. Yes, that's right, it is bigger than either of the others. The EF's rear element is 35.5mm across, wheres the Rokinon and FD 1.2 are both 33mm. This size difference (especially in relation to the size of the rest of the lens) directly effects the "optical vignetting" which causes the cat's eye effect (see http://toothwalker.org/optics/vignetting.html).

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:18 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 3 85s Compared

Tariq Gibran wrote:
Done. I should have the lens later this week.

The test of the Samyang 85 at letsgodigital found it superior wide open and up to about one or two stops down but mentioned that it never really achieves the absolute resolution of other 85's when it is stopped down further. Perhaps it was just their sample? Paul, can you confirm this finding with your sample?

Sure, I'll do some stopped-down testing as well, if I have time. I have to admit that I'd never use any of these lenses stopped down past f4, but it would be interesting.

I do know that the Rokinon is not so shit hot at infinity. Again, a moot point to me but may be important to some.

Oct 18, 2009 at 08:21 PM

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