Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
If these lenses had a decent price they would sell buck loads of the Xeen lenses. Right now they are way overpriced.
Samyang XEEN - new line of cinema lenses announced
- Thread starter alohype
- Start date
The Rokinons were always cheap subpar lenses. But this side by side really shows it. Rokinons looked out of focus so soft they look.
I'm not sure new coatings can make miracles. But it better get rid of the horrible softness, chromatic aberrations and overall poor optical quality of the current Rokinons.
If you follow the lens rehousing market they are not overpriced at all. Compare what a Sigma 18-35 or Tokina 11-16 costs and how much companies like Duclos and GL Optics charge for the rehoused versions.
These are lenses for more serious shooters. If you need cheaper Rokinon already offer the current cine DS line. What else do you want?
High1ander
Well-known member
The Rokinon/Samyangs cost less, are made for full frame coverage (or designed for that) and goes more than a stop faster, I really don't think that test says anything about full frame/super 35 optical quality.
You can't compare Duclos' pricing to Rokinon's. Duclos offers a service. They are not a lens manufacturer per se.
You are paying them to disassemble somebody else's lens and reassemble the optics in their housing.
The argument here is whether or not Rokinon's humble optics are worthy of the new housings and significantly higher price (5x) than their current Cine DS lenses.
Samuel H
Major Contributor
Lensrentals did a mechanical comparison against the Zeiss CP.2.
There is one internal piece they are not too sure about, but apart from that it looks really good.
There is one internal piece they are not too sure about, but apart from that it looks really good.
DPStewart
Veteran
The Veydras are 2 to 3 times the price of the Rokinons - they had BETTER be superior.
Comparisons really do need to be done with a sense of CONTEXT.
But this does hint that the Xeens will really need to be a step up from the Rok's.
With some tending to wax ecstatic over the Rokinon lenses, the Veydra comparison just puts the Rok Cine's IQ in perspective.
I'm not knocking the Rokinon Cine Series. I own a set! You get a lotta lens for the money.
But I am questioning the 'wisdom' of putting them in a new housing without changing the optics, and then charging $2500 for them.
The optics are good, but they ain't 'cinema' good.
I can tell you from experience, the 24mm does more breathing than a Lamaze class.
Maybe if Rok were to update the optics then that would be a different story and worth every penny...
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DPStewart
Veteran
BwaaHaaHaa!
I think the test that needs to be done is a nice thorough examination of the IQ of a Rok vs. a Xeen of the same focal length.
That will put that issue to rest.
Samuel H
Major Contributor
That's exactly what have to be done. MFT charts says that they're essentially the same though.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
An MTF chart is certainly not the only measure of the optical performance of a lens.
Absolutely! That's why would be nice if someone would do the tests. But it might be hint that they're the same
I've read somewhere that anti-flare coatings are improved.Those coatings were already applied to Rokinon's 2nd generation of Cine lenses; the "DS" lineup. They're supposed to reduce flare and color mis-match between lenses.
The newer DS Cine lenses already reflect that change in their pricing. They're more expensive than the original Cine series. (I think that started when 50mm debuted)
Even tho' I already own a set of Rok Cine's, I still wouldn't mind seeing some tests or comparisons done with the Roks/Xeens and other cinema lenses.
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LochnessDigital
Active member
Are they only allowed to improve coatings once?
Are you asking if it's OK by me if they improve the coatings again??? Sure, it's OK.
The revamped coatings were one of the main reasons for Rokinons Cine "DS" designation; thus, the significant hike in price.
Now the Xeen lineup comes out with a heftier price tag.
Did they re-revamp the coatings? Or make other changes besides the new housings???
That's the $64,000 question; What has Rokinon improved on these to justify the $2500 price?
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DPStewart
Veteran
Ah-HAH!
I did not know that.
But now that I do I think I will add their 35mm and 85mm to my lost somewhere in slow shipping 16mm.
Thanks!
I have the 16mm and I like it. I probabaly would have gone for the 14mm, but it has a non-removable lens hood.
That was a deal breaker for me. So, when I want wider than 16mm, I slap on a speed-booster and then it's equivalent to a 12mm.
DPStewart
Veteran
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing as well.
I looked at the 14mm, but it had way too many strikes against it, not the least of which is greater distortion.
I simply cannot stand distortion and with whatever lens money i can muster up I always buy "the least distortion I can afford".
I think the 16mm on a speedbooster is pretty darn useful as a wide length. Yeah - pop the booster off for your 2nd focal length.
I just got an SLR Magic 12mm... but honestly, I don't think the SLR Magics are going to cut well at all against the Rok's and my Nikkors. Really I don't intend to even try to.
I'm going to build up a set of SLR Magics specifically to achieve the different look.
I find them that different.