Rokinon lenses: Has anyone used the "Rokinon" brand of lenses? I'm thinking of getting one just to play with. They are manual focus, fixed aperture lenses. Wondering if they are worth...

Menkaure Loc: Michigan

Has anyone used the "Rokinon" brand of lenses? I'm thinking of getting one just to play with.
They are manual focus, fixed aperture lenses.
Wondering if they are worth it.

Thanks.

Jim

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I have the Rokinon 8mm fisheye lens for Canon. It's manual everything but that's OK.
It's the only lens I own that isn't a Canon L series.
For the price it's a fun, goof around lens with acceptable IQ.

I have heard that some of their longer lenses are not too swift though.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

I purchase 2 Rokinon lenses, a 12mm f2.8 and an 85mm f1.4 and was just simply so disappointed with the build and IQ I sold them both on Craigs List and replace them with comparable Canon glass. I did take a pretty substantial hit in the pocketbook with this experiment. Therefor I now have only Canon "L" series lenses, and couldn't be happier.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I have the 8 mm fisheye. Set on f/22 and infinity focus, camera in Aperture Priority. The attached panorama is a composite of (2) images using the lens.

(Download)

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Jakebrake wrote:

I purchase 2 Rokinon lenses, a 12mm f2.8 and an 85mm f1.4 and was just simply so disappointed with the build and IQ I sold them both on Craigs List and replace them with comparable Canon glass. I did take a pretty substantial hit in the pocketbook with this experiment. Therefor I now have only Canon "L" series lenses, and couldn't be happier.

I had pretty much the same negative experience.

I had an 85mm f1.4 and just could not get it to produce sharp pictures, even at reasonable apertures. Mine was the Nikon version with the aperture/focusing chip and metering was off by almost a 1/2 stop.

After messing with the damn thing for almost 2 years I finally gave up and sold it.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Rokinon makes great lenses. If it were me, I'd buy from Adorama or B&H so that you can evaluate for 30 days NQA for the price of a return shipment.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Looks great to me.....

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Judging by the mixed answers there might be a quality control problem with Rokinon.

I learned my lesson and I am buying only Nikon lenses now.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

klaus wrote:

Judging by the mixed answers there might be a quality control problem with Rokinon.

I learned my lesson and I am buying only Nikon lenses now.

Well...you'd have to get a LOT more data points than this to conclude that...lol.

I sure a LOT of camera/gear forums and these "poor" experiences are definitely the exception as far as I can tell.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

rpavich wrote:

Well...you'd have to get a LOT more data points than this to conclude that...lol.

I sure a LOT of camera/gear forums and these "poor" experiences are definitely the exception as far as I can tell.

Amazingly enough I have 6 Nikon lenses and they all worked right out of the box. Unlike third party lenses I know I can sell them in a few years for a decent selling price.

I know that my Nikon lenses will definitely work with future Nikon bodies, while there are no guarantees with third-party lenses.

There's the old saying:
"The poor man always buys twice!" :))

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

klaus wrote:

Judging by the mixed answers there might be a quality control problem with Rokinon.

I learned my lesson and I am buying only Nikon lenses now.

And I as well. Only Canon lenses for me.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

klaus wrote:

Amazingly enough I have 6 Nikon lenses and they all worked right out of the box. Unlike third party lenses I know I can sell them in a few years for a decent selling price.

I know that my Nikon lenses will definitely work with future Nikon bodies, while there are no guarantees with third-party lenses.

There's the old saying:
"The poor man always buys twice!" :))

Very well stated. I'm sure there is a market for Rokinon lenses, but they are just not for me. I am indeed happy to know some people are enjoying their third party lenses no matter which brand they purchase.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

klaus wrote:

Amazingly enough I have 6 Nikon lenses and they all worked right out of the box. Unlike third party lenses I know I can sell them in a few years for a decent selling price.

I know that my Nikon lenses will definitely work with future Nikon bodies, while there are no guarantees with third-party lenses.

There's the old saying:
"The poor man always buys twice!" :))

Here's the problem with that thinking...it's wrong.

The old "always buy name brands, they work right the first time" and "name brands hold their value more than other brands" is not necessarily true and has nothing to do with my point about quality control and lack of data points.

The fact is...Rokinon (under all of the various names) make great lenses for not a lot of cash...you don't have to look many places to find happy owners...I've owned several myself and know LOTS of happy owners right now.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

klaus wrote:

Judging by the mixed answers there might be a quality control problem with Rokinon.

I learned my lesson and I am buying only Nikon lenses now.

I have a Samyang (aka Rokinon) 8mm fisheye & love it. However, their cheap 'big zooms' are terrible. Anyway, Nikon & Rokinon aren't the only lens makers around. Sigma & Tamron both make excellent lenses for Nikons. I have several Sigmas for my Nikons & am very satisfied with them. Tokina make some good lenses too. :-)

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

klaus wrote:

Judging by the mixed answers there might be a quality control problem with Rokinon.

I learned my lesson and I am buying only Nikon lenses now.

About the same QC one can expect from Canon.
Its a hit or miss if you get a sharp copy with Canon.
I remember those days when I had to ship out half of my gear just to get a sharp copy.
Nice to know we don't really have the same problem with Nikon. I will admit they too have had some issues, but not at the same magnitude of canon.

BTW, Ive heard some really good things about the 14mm 2.8 Rokinon lens.