Rokinon 85mm Users

N

natums

Well-known member
I placed an order on the Rokinon 85mm the other day, it should be arriving tomorrow. Long story short, it had been a lens I was curious about but had no immediate need for a prime at that range for most of my work, was content with a 24-105L to cover the long end (plus it had IS). Now I need to for an ongoing set of gigs and I was wondering who else owns it.

I can't wait to try it out, kind of nervous about how stable I will be with it (I am not the most steady of shooters), I previously have mostly shot with IS beyond 50mm to counteract my unsteady hand. But figure I will just make sure I pick and choose when I use it so I don't waste my time shooting like crap.
 
all reports are that that lens is superb.

if your going shoulder mount just make sure to counter balance your rig. I can shoot handheld up to 100mm with a counterbalanced rig.
 
My current rig doesn't have a way to easily attach counter-balance, I'm upgrading to a rail system shoulder rig, but I will have about a week between getting this lens and having the complete shoulder rig (I'm building a custom design with multiple manufacturers parts). So I'm hoping I can get by for the 2 shoots I have in that time.

Can't wait to get it still!
 
It IS an amazing lens. I was shocked when I found out that it outshines my Nikons when wide open.
It´s a miracle how they can make it for that price. But who am I to complain? :)

FS1.jpg
 
The gig that I bought it originally for changed slightly so I ended up using other gear but I have shot around with it regularly whenever I have down time and I am loving it!

Incredibly sharp wide open! Good color and smooth bokeh at most f-stops (some stops have more exaggerated octagon shape then others).

Inaccurate aperture seems to be strong at the wide open, probably closer 1.7 than 1.4, by about f/5.6 though it seemed mostly on par with my canon glass, though I did very unscientific testing, so it possibly could be more severe and through the whole range. I love the 1/2 stops too, already came in handy to get the DOF and IQ exactly where I wanted without the normal compromise with full stops.

I love having a lens that is fully designed for cinema shooting, I have old 35mm SLR primes for the smoother focus but they still aren't as heavy and smooth as the Rokinon's focus ring.

Anybody know if you can remove the stops in the aperture dial easily? I don't NEED it, but just curious if it's been done and if it's affordable to have done.


Now I definitely want the 35mm to replace my beat-up nikkor.
 
The f1.6-1.7 seems to be the consensus around the internet (its definitely NOT an f1.4) lens. Also I would think that in terms of quality the new Nikon G series lenses give better IQ and much creamier Bokeh as they have 9 rounded blades BUT at thousands $$ more. My MAIN interest in this lens was the long focus throw I had reportedly heard mention off (mostly as a negative in the photo forums). But to us cinema types is the holy grail for smoother easier focus pulls etc - Im guessing this is the case? I would love someone to post some video / focus pull samples of this lens at its widest to see how it performs. Night time would be ideal :-)
 
I love the IQ, I don't have a lot of comparison with other 85mm lenses but I have used Zeiss and Canon shorter focal length primes and I definitely feel like bang for buck for video-purpose lenses, there are only 2 choices, Rokinon and Zeiss, no reason to stick with Canon unless you plan on shooting photos also. Can't speak for Nikon G series, though I have always understood the G vs L as a matter of preference generally. I know the 85G is highly regarded, but it would have to compete with the Zeiss to really be worth the cost over this ridiculously cheap lens.

All that being said, I guess it still presumes, you don't need a true 1.4, just a fast lens.

I have a video I cut together last night recapping all the footage I shot in the past 2 weeks, includes ALOT of shots with this lens. All live event and BTS footage, no production stuff with it yet. Have to wait for client approval to post it online, but if I get the go ahead I will drop the recap video and a 85-only reel up sometime tomorrow.
 
I'd get the nikon mount. so i wouldnt be locked into canon ....get a fotodiox adapter for it (this should be fine right??). Is the focus ring stiff? I saw a vid and it looks like its hard to turn.
 
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I was thinking of getting the Nikon mount, but my current outlook doesn't included Nikon unless they come out with something head and shoulders above the competition. I was never a fan of their controls and software either. I do plan to get a GH13 or GH2 soon, which both will take the EOS lens happily. In retrospect, I guess there was nothing lost with getting Nikon mount, but Amazon was out of stock for both nikon and Canon so I had to find another site to ship it to me ASAP since I was ordering for a gig.

Focus ring is stiff, much more like traditional cine lenses, not as smooth as high-end cine lenses, but the firm resistance will definitely strain cheap FF systems. but it is not hard to turn by hand, just is designed not to have any inertia effect on focus and allow smooth rack focus. Also has almost a 180 degree focus throw, which is awesome for anyone used to any AF lenses and their 90 degree throw.
 
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thanks for the info Natums. My lenses turn the nikon way so thats another reason i'm gonna get it. I pull focus by hand so i guess it shouldn't be a prob. Follow focuses are nice...but if i was gonna get one i'd want a good one and the good ones like redrock or shoot35 start at $800. For me thats a luxury at the moment I cant afford and just another component to fiddle with and slow me down. Plus i'd rather spend 800 on a lens :)
 
Here is some of the footage I promised, definitely not the best showcase, or even the best footage from the night, but the client had another project going and needed some performer and crowd shots so I quickly uploaded the first shots I could. Made sure to get a few good ones of the bassist though, he was fun to shoot. This is all 85 footage.

http://vimeo.com/26399253
password: ush

here is the piece I cut out of boredom sunday afternoon, uses a lot of 85, but some 50 and 24 also: http://vimeo.com/26313164
 
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