Rokinon Lens
Nov 30, 2016 10:27:36 #
Any opinions on the Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens? I saw this advertised and the reviews for the lens (priced $169) were very good. Has anyone used it? I would enjoy your feedback.
Nov 30, 2016 10:42:24 #
BobT
Loc: southern Minnesota
I had a Rokinon 8mm f3.5 lens in the past. Not sure about the HD8M-C or HD delineation, though. I used it with my Canon Rebel series cameras. I'd say it produced surprisingly good results, and was just plain "fun" to play with. But, as with some of my other acquisitions, I just didn't use it enough to rationalize keeping it. But, if I felt the desire to shoot more "fishy" subjects, I would not hesitate to purchase that very same lens again. Rokinon has a very good reputation of late for their manual lenses. I'm considering a wide angle lens of their's as we speak. Their prices are certainly attractive as well. GO FOR IT.
Nov 30, 2016 10:45:21 #
I have the 2.8 and use it on my Nikon 7200. I enjoy using it and like BobT mentioned it's a "fun lens" to use. You can get some surprising perspectives with it.
Nov 30, 2016 11:27:54 #
I agree whole-heartedly. It is great fun - even at parties! I use it to shoot dances at wedding parties with a bounce flash pointing straight up for light. You can set it at f8, shutter at 1/160, focus at 5 feet, and ISO about 800 (depending on ceiling height) and forget about settings. It's a no-brainer to shoot. Now that I have a pretty good idea of it's field of view, half the time I just hold the camera at arm's length and shoot. Also a great lens for a circular image on an FX body. And BTW, it's surprisingly sharp!
Nov 30, 2016 12:40:26 #
Jimcamera wrote:
Any opinions on the Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens? I saw this advertised and the reviews for the lens (priced $169) were very good. Has anyone used it? I would enjoy your feedback.
I have a different 8 mm lens from Rokinon. Like it very much. Think this newer model is even better.
Nov 30, 2016 13:21:59 #
Here's a gallery of 8mm Rokinon photos.
The output is just to extreme for me. I'm looking at 14mm.
Have the 85mm built for Nikon. It and the 14mm, have a AE chip that helps you focus.
The 8mm doesn't have the chip.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/fish-eye/pool/
Here's a gallery of 14mm Rokinon photos.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2206779@N25/pool/
The output is just to extreme for me. I'm looking at 14mm.
Have the 85mm built for Nikon. It and the 14mm, have a AE chip that helps you focus.
The 8mm doesn't have the chip.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/fish-eye/pool/
Here's a gallery of 14mm Rokinon photos.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2206779@N25/pool/
Dec 1, 2016 07:14:59 #
I have 3 Rokinon lenses 24 mm, 14 mm, and the 8 mm all for Nikon all with chips for confirming focus excellent lens even though are manual focus
Dec 1, 2016 07:36:20 #
Jimcamera wrote:
Any opinions on the Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens? I saw this advertised and the reviews for the lens (priced $169) were very good. Has anyone used it? I would enjoy your feedback.
Good lens for the price. "Rokinon" is only one brand name used for the same products.
Dec 1, 2016 08:00:35 #
Jimcamera wrote:
Any opinions on the Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens? I saw this advertised and the reviews for the lens (priced $169) were very good. Has anyone used it? I would enjoy your feedback.
I read a review of this lens a year or so ago. It said this same lens is marketed under three different brand names - one of which is Opteka (which I bought) and I don't recall what the third brand was. Oddly, the Opteka lens is marked as 6.5mm f 3.5.
As it happens I am just now processing some images I took in Boston last spring. Here are a couple I took at the Custom House, one outside and the other looking down to the lobby from the third floor.
From the Third Floor
Street View
Dec 1, 2016 08:19:33 #
Gregorian
Loc: Georgetown, Ky
Very sharp lens! Manual focus, which is not a problem since it focuses from inches to infinity. You focus on nearest subject distance and forget it. It is also for APS-C sensor. I use it on my Sony A77 which has focus peaking feature that helps when manual focusing. Would highly recommend. I shot a covered bridge that was 120 feet long standing on replacement bridge about 60 feet away and include a view of 10 ft extra on each end. Had to hold camera level as it would show bridge bowed if not level. Had my legs against guard rail and leaned forward and it included posts rail was mounted to. I think field of view is 167 degrees, but can get feet in photo if u don't lean body forward.
Dec 1, 2016 08:35:37 #
BobT
Loc: southern Minnesota
Speaking of good economical fisheye lenses, of which this Rokinon is certainly one, does anyone have experience with the Lensbaby fisheye?
Even cheaper. But is it any good?
Excellent photo samples above. As you can see, not all shots taken with a fisheye need to look like they were.
This thread is making me seriously consider purchasing another one of these Rokinon fisheyes. This would be my 3rd time.
Even cheaper. But is it any good?
Excellent photo samples above. As you can see, not all shots taken with a fisheye need to look like they were.
This thread is making me seriously consider purchasing another one of these Rokinon fisheyes. This would be my 3rd time.
Dec 1, 2016 09:32:24 #
Dec 1, 2016 09:33:31 #
Dec 1, 2016 09:34:37 #
Dec 1, 2016 09:36:18 #
Thank you to all for your excellent input and pictures. I plan to purchase it, and at a $169 it is a very good value.
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