I also am hesitating between these two lenses.
What is the minimum focus distance of the Canon? Isn't the 1 meter min. focus distance of the Samyang a limitation in the field?
May 13, 2010 at 05:35 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Daniel Heineck wrote:
The samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar/bower/ goes by so many names for who knows what reason.
For the same reason that the same (identical) washing machine is marketed as "Maytag" in one store and as "LG" in another store. It is called "Simulated Brand Diversity" and it allows stores to avoid competing directly with one another.
It allows Cameta to sell the "Rokinon" for $250, UK E-bay shops to sell the "Falcon" for $350, and other shops and online retailers to sell the "Vivitar", "Bower, "Opteka", or "Genuine Samyang" for whatever price they choose. I own the Rokinon because it was the best deal at the time and it has the coolest name
Cableaddict; "Dark bokeh"? Ridiculous. There's nothing quite like inventing reasons not to like a lens.
(I would appreciate a response to this email as I have a question concerning whether my emails are being received). More than half of my business these days is international (I ship all over the world). Read below for descriptions of screens, current prices, payment and shipping options. My HI-LUX screens would look really beautiful in your Canon 5D MKII (as well as being brighter and easier to focus). I provide my line of HI-LUX focus screens for an incredible variety of both modern and classic cameras of all different formats (35mm, Medium Format, Large Format, DSLRs, Medium Format Digital & Large Format Digital). See below for screen descriptions, payment options and shipping options. Please feel free to forward this information to your friends. You may contact me at 770-939-6644 with questions or to order:
I supply a HI-LUX enhanced version of the Canon Eg-S screen for the Canon 5D MKII complete for $175.00 plus the s&h. My HI-LUX process will give up to two f: stops more brightness in your viewfinder with a unique enhanced matte focusing ability for your lenses that are f:2.8 and slower (campared to the unmodified Eg-S screen). This HI-LUX enhanced screen may be used equally well with your faster lenses (f:1.8 and faster) and also give enhanced focusing abilities overall compared to all the other Canon focusing screens. 8x10 crop lines and HD crop lines are available as an option.
Payment can be made via a major credit card or money order. If you want to use a card, we will need your name as it appears on your card, card number, card expiration date, the V code number (the last three numbers on the back of your card, located in the white area where you sign your name), card billing address, shipping address and phone number. You may phone your order to 770-939-6644 or you may email your card information by dividing it into two separate emails sent at different times (for example, divide your card number in half). Send one email to [email protected] and the other on to [email protected] for purposes of security. If paying with a money order, please make it out to Bill Maxwell. My mailing address is:
Maxwell Precision Optics
PO Box 33146
Decatur GA 30033-0146 USA
Please let me know via email if you are choosing this option. S&h in the USA via insured Priority Mail is $10.00; insured First Class Mail for $7.00.
I received my Rokinon about a week ago and did some sharpness and bokeh comparisons to my f1.8. I didn't see a big difference at all-I thought I would see more. I do have a very sharp copy of the f1.8, but I couldn't see much difference between the two lenses. There is a very small difference in the bokeh, but I would bet 95% of viewers wouldn't be able to see it or care. I will keep it since it's a hair faster, but will use the 1.8 much more due to the auto focusing and closer minimum focus distance.
cogitech wrote:
Cableaddict; "Dark bokeh"? Ridiculous. There's nothing quite like inventing reasons not to like a lens.
Paul, I am really starting to think that is his MO. I have decided to take his opinions with a grain of salt until I see him post an image of his own other than a pixelated self-portrait.
The Samyang definitely has one of the smoothest bokehs around, but everyone doesn't have to like that. I use mine in parallell with an old Nikkor-H 85/1.8, which is a lot "harsher". Both are very good, but also very different in rendering, and I like both equally much.
Then there's also the size and weight argument. The Samyang is heavier and larger than the EF, and of course it doesn't give AF.
Well, any 85mm f1.4 would be heavier than f1.8. The Rokinon is better made (not counting the flimpsy hood), better focusing ring and simply fantastic wide open.
I heard good things about the Nikkor-H 85f1.8, what is so special with it compare to newer versions? Thanks
Please show the dark bokeh cableaddict.
Tri Tran wrote:
I heard good things about the Nikkor-H 85f1.8, what is so special with it compare to newer versions?
Actually I've never tried the Nikkor 85/1.8 AF, but the 85/2 AI/AI-S wasn't very good. The H draws in an "old school" way, with swirly bokeh, a bit low contrast and very smooth colors. Stopped down it's very sharp, but not in the corners.
I'm a big fan of the pre-AI Nikkor as well, I've got the last, multi-coated version with AI cosmetics (often seen advertised as an AI lens as it was available from the factory with the AI conversion already installed). It's an absolutely superb portrait lens and does very well for general short and mid distance shooting. It doesn't have the cross-frame sharpness to do really well at longer distances though.
There are three versions of this lens. The Nikkor-H (Single-coated, old-fashioned cosmetics), Nikkor-H.C (Multi-coated, old-fashioned cosmetics) and the Nikkor 'K' version (Multi-coated, new cosmetics, labeled only as a 'Nikkor') which is what I have.
Tri Tran wrote:
Wow, prices at keh are really high. I guess I will camp on ebay or craigslist for one. Which version of the f1.8 is the best out of the three?
Thanks
The post and picture you quoted was with the Samyang!
The MF Nikkor 1.8's are all the same optically except for the coatings. Mine is the oldest one, with single coating. Works like a dream.
Tri Tran wrote:
Wow, prices at keh are really high. I guess I will camp on ebay or craigslist for one. Which version of the f1.8 is the best out of the three?
Thanks
Makten wrote:
The post and picture you quoted was with the Samyang!
The MF Nikkor 1.8's are all the same optically except for the coatings. Mine is the oldest one, with single coating. Works like a dream.
Edit: By the way, I got the Nikkor for free!
E-bay is high too. The Amazon prices are the best. I think I saw $230 from Cameta.
Dpic_arctic wrote:
Is the Maxwell treated screen worth the $150 more than the Canon EF-s screen? Is it fairly easy to replace the focusing screen in the camera?
Bill Maxwell called me today. We had a long talk, but essentially he has seen this thread and is now interested in getting some information out to you guys. He's wrapped up in a lot of other optical jobs right now but he wanted a way to relay some information so I took down the dialogue and wrote up a key-point summary and emailed it to him for review. After the review on his end I will post all the info about his screens.
For starters the EE-S is the Super Precision Processing Screen for the 5D and the EG-S is the one for the 5DMK2. These stock -S screens are awesome for great focusing ability ONLY if you shoot 1.4 or faster glass. He offers two brigher models (details forthcoming) for those shooting fast to semi-fast 1.2 to 2.8 and fast to normal 1.2 to 5.6. If you're a critical purist in the photography field and using some fast glass and manual focusing, then yes, these gems will make a huge difference.
lextalionis wrote:
For starters the EE-S is the Super Precision Processing Screen for the 5D and the EG-S is the one for the 5DMK2. These stock -S screens are awesome for great focusing ability ONLY if you shoot 1.4 or faster glass.
goes by so many names for who knows what reason. 
