AmbientMike wrote:
You might look for one that has a 14 day return or even 7 day tell them you are going to try one and send it back and get a 85/1.8 if you don't like it.
Yes, but get the Maxwell treated (brightened) one, if you can afford it. You'll thanks me later.
-----------------
As for the lens, The Rokinon i screamier thatn the canon 85/1.8, for sure, and good ones are quite sharp. I think the Rok also has slightly better 3D than the Canon 1.8 (though not as good as the Canon 1.2)
However, all the Rokinons have a darkish, sort of dull OOF thing happening, which really bugs me. You can see it in countless example pics, all over the internet. Cogitech loves his, but I will never buy this lens for that one reason. Take that FWIW.
The only flaw i can find in the Rokinon is that it is ... hmm.. too perfect? it is so polished it might be judged to lack character, if one calls failures and flaws: character
debuggerus wrote:
hmm, I am surprise by the poll. I always thought it was a clear cut for the rokinon, especially in this forum
Even if the Canon 85mm has almost as many votes, I have not heard anyone make a very convincing argument for it, aside from the fact that it has AF. I think I've made up my mind already.
What do you want to shoot with it? You're getting a lot of biased opinions because of where you asked, even if the poll is different than the notes.
Both are very well regarded. I own the Rokinon and enjoy it, but not having tried canon's own 85/1.8 I can't say which is better. Have you used alt glass before? Doing the whole stop-down thing can get pretty annoying. Just getting a feel
The maxwell coated screens look awful expensive. Sheesh. Granted I have a 5d, but I don't hurt for want of light with my EE-s even on my slow lenses.
Daniel Heineck wrote:
What do you want to shoot with it? You're getting a lot of biased opinions because of where you asked, even if the poll is different than the notes.
Both are very well regarded. I own the Rokinon and enjoy it, but not having tried canon's own 85/1.8 I can't say which is better. Have you used alt glass before? Doing the whole stop-down thing can get pretty annoying. Just getting a feel
The maxwell coated screens look awful expensive. Sheesh. Granted I have a 5d, but I don't hurt for want of light with my EE-s even on my slow lenses....Show more →
No, I haven't extensively used Alt glass before. I'm ready for a challenge though!
Did you find an online site for the Maxwell screens? I sent Bill an e-mail, but I wouldn't mind seeing a page with the screen info (esp. the price).
Why is the 85mm f/1.4 sold under so many other names besides Rokinon? Besides the exterior build, is there any difference between those lenses? This has never made any sense to me...
I have both lenses the 85 1.8 for speed (fantastic AF let's admit it) but the rokinon is just about perfect for a fast manual focus lens.
I don't see why i'd ever crave the 85 1.2 or any other 85 really anymore.
systemlayers wrote:
I have both lenses the 85 1.8 for speed (fantastic AF let's admit it) but the rokinon is just about perfect for a fast manual focus lens.
Yeah, except for that dark, dull bokeh.
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I can't believe it doesn't bother anyone else.
Now, if the lens waere to be used ONLY for portraits, then I might pick the Rok as well, but it's a 1-trick pony.
Don't have the costs of the Maxwell screens on the top of my head. I remember a thread a while ago waxing poetic about them. They were in the realm of 3-4x the cost of a regular canon replacement screen. Given the small size of the guy's market, I can understand, but I'm not that rich. When you do get the price sheet back from him, do share, as I could be totally off base.
The samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar/bower/ goes by so many names for who knows what reason. Deep down inside they're all the same as the optical cell and the inner barrel are identical. I have a rokinon. It's nicely build other than the hood, and I keep meaning to buy a 72mm screw on for it. One of these days...
I'm not sure what Cableaddicts on about dark dull bokeh, but the man has his opinions, even if we disagree on every one of our common lens experience.
You didn't answer the last question--what are you hoping to do with the lens? While this forum is certainly biased, the 85/1.8 has been a workhorse of many a portrait shooter, but also for sports and other uses. It's a great lens as well. Of course, I really like the shots I get with the Rok, so there's that as well.
goes by so many names for who knows what reason. Deep down inside they're all the same as the optical cell and the inner barrel are identical. I have a rokinon. It's nicely build other than the hood, and I keep meaning to buy a 72mm screw on for it. One of these days...