Rokinon 85M-C 85mm F1.4 Aspherical Fixed Lens for Canon (Black)

Update 8/7/2011 - I am still pleased with lens. When I get focus right it is by far the sharpest lens I own (granted I don't have any pro lenses). I wanted to update this to make it clear to Nikon shooters that EXCEPT FOR MANUAL FOCUS This lens works PERFECTLY in P, A, S, and M modes. In these modes my D5000 WORKS JUST LIKE IT DOES WITH MY NIKON LENS. THE CAMERA ADJUSTS (DEPENDING ON THE MODE OF COURSE) APERTURE, SHUTTER SPEED, AND ISO AUTOMATICALLY BASED ON AVAILABLE LIGHT ETC. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ADJUST THE APERTURE MANUALLY AS THE SPECIFICATION ON THE AMAZON PAGE (OR ROKINON WEBSITE FOR THAT MATTER) IMPLIES. The only thing I have noticed so far that doesn't work is 3D focus (probably dynamic area either) but, after thinking about it that doesn't surprise me. If you set for spot focus and turn on the rangefinder the camera tells you when it's in focus just like with Nikon lenses. Ok, I only received this lens today and have played with it for an hour or so. So far it is living up to all the reviews. If you're reading this review you probably already have an idea of how to use this type of lens but, just in case I bought it specifically for wide open short depth of field images. Portraits, flowers etc. anything that isn't moving to fast for manual focus where you want to play with depth of field. This chipped version seems to meter and focus on my D5000. I get a focus confirmation light and speed adjusts with aperture. Aperture adjusts with thumbwheel in A-mode. Depth of field (or lack of) is very fun at f/1.4. Have taken some very neat pictures handheld wide open. Background disappears to a blur in the right ranges. Appears very sharp. It is difficult to focus well on small objects handheld but, with practice I think I can improve with technique. Right now my initial impression is WOW! I'll update if anything changes. p.s. I am just an amateur so, take this review in that context. 5 stars because it is exactly what is advertised. Manual focus, sharp, chipped for EXIF data, etc. Quality appears very good. All for a very reasonable price.

I have a Samsung Nx1, amazing software packed in, the autofocus in full burst mode is awesome. Loads of great tech for the price and a good effort from Samsung in the mirrorless market. I have the 16-50 S lens, brilliant lens, super fast focusing, love the iFunction button on the barrel that allows me to change setting on the fly without having to look away from my subject (usually horses or mountain bikes). Just to reiterate: Samsung, bought the camera to take advantage of the tech and the software in the lenses, the autofocus speed. I wanted to add the 85mm NX glass to my collection for portraits of the horse and rider and to be able to get back a bit from the action. Couldn't justify the cost, yes, the autofocus, yes the automatic aperture, yes the logic. What did I do? I spent $269 on a dumb lens...no electronic gizmos, no firmware/software updates, no contacts of any sort. I've never used a manual lens before. Let alone a prime. I also have no regrets. I've had more fun with this lens in the last month than the rest of the lenses since August. Granted, if I need to nail that shot of the horse jumping, I'll use the S lens and let it do it's thing, it's quite good at it. But it also feels like cheating. You're just looking through the viewfinder and pressing the button, no worries about if the rider is in focus, or the horse's feet are sharp, if the image will be properly exposed, if the depth of field is right. You know it will be barring some sort of error on the users part. Enter the Rokinon. The finish is quite nice. Almost a pebbled painted metal barrel. Clearly marked aperture values, along with a rough distance scale. The aperture ring stops up and down with a satisfying click. The focus ring is massive, rubberized, and almost as smooth as the bokeh this thing produces. My only gripe with the focus is that it needs a tiny bit more throw past negative to really sharpen up landcape shots. The storage bag Rokinon provides with the lens is more or less a joke, the lens cap falls off if you glance at it wrong, it has no form of stabilisation and the lens hood seems perpetually in danger of falling off. Doesn't matter, for this price, you get a lens that can throw it's weight around with the same lenses offered by Nikanon. The quality of the lens itself is great. And, in conclusion, there's just something gratifying to nail that perfect shot and have everything in focus, the ISO is right, and the background is appropriately blurred. To know that you did that on the fly with nothing more than your gut to go on. If you're reading this, and you've never shot with manual glass before, take the plunge. This lens is an inexpensive route to 'test the water's and see if it's for you. Being a prime it also forces you to consider framing, perspective, and where you need to be to shoot more so than a zoom.

Feb 7 2013 update: I gave this lens another chance. Bought it from Amazon and was delivered today. This time the lens was sharp wide open. I am now totally convinced that I had a bad copy last time. The performance is similar to what I would expect from users' comments. I am using it with a Pentax K-01. The focus peaking feature made focusing so easy. My K-01 is my studio camera. Perfect combination. I doubt I would use it frequently with my K-5. Original: I read a lot before placing the order. I have high expectation since the Samyang 14mm f2.8 is such a great performer. Construction is great. It is substantial. Unlike the Samyang 14mm which has a very tight lens mount, this lens has a solid but smooth lens mount. So, mechanically, it is of very high quality. However, that hope of great optical quality quickly disappeared. I compared this lens to a Tamron 70-200 @ 85mm. This 85mm @ f2.8 is no better than the Tamron @ 85mm and f2.8 wide open. If anything, the Tamron @ wide open may be slightly better than this 85mm stopped down. At f1.4, the 85mm is extremely soft. I may have a bad copy but the performance is consistent with review at Lenstip. I did the optical performance comparison using LV to ensure proper focus was achieved. When I tried to do MF, I had zero luck, not even close. And, btw, I have quite a few MF lenses - 14mm, 28mm, 50mm, 55mm, 135mm; so I am not exactly new to MF. I am disappointed. It also means that I have to save up a lot more for a better 85mm.

I got it at a very unbelievable price! Too front heavy for my X-t20... But sharp lens at f2 onwards. Manual focusing can be wobbly due to higher magfications... Not the lens fault... But just a note.

this is an epic lens.

No autofocus but for the price I paid it's no big deal. It has an "A" setting for its aperture control.

Adquirí este lente como un punto intermedio, dado que el presupuesto no era suficiente para adquirir el SIGMA de la linea ART, opté por este lente con mis reservas. Me encuentro sumamente sorprendido por la calidad del lente en todos sus aspectos, trataré de resumir los puntos de la siguiente manera: PRO's: 1. Su construcción es robusta, de excelentes materiales, se nota la calidad en el cuerpo del lente. 2. La imagen es super nítida, me sorprende la nitidez que tiene disparando a f1.2-1.8,ni se diga con el diafragma más cerrado. 3. La relación calidad y precio del lente me parece excelente, es una super opción para el rango intermedio de un 85mm. 4. Los detalles están bastante cuidados, el empaque por su exterior parece un tanto sencillo, pero el lente viene perfectamente cuidado con unos soportes plásticos que amortiguan los golpes, así como el instructivo y demás accesorios, me parecen cuidados! Bien ahí! CONTRAS: 1. Por la construcción del lente, resulta sumamente pesado, lo utilizo montado en el cuerpo de mi CANON 5D MARK III y bueno, en total debo llevar unos 3-4 kilos en la mano, cansa. 2. No se si definirlo como un punto negativo, pero si es algo a considerar, el lente es de enfoque manual, por lo que se requiere tacto y destreza para conseguir el enfoque en los puntos que nos interesa, sobre todo con aperturas de diafragma muy abierto, sin embargo, si adquieres la versión con el chip AE, la cosa cambia, porque podremos utilizar los puntos de enfoque de nuestra cámara para obtener una confirmación del foco en el visor, y por consiguiente tener mucho mas control de ello. SE LOS RECOMIENDO MUCHISIMO EN ESTA VERSION. Les dejo tres imagines de muestra utilizando diferentes aperturas y podemos comprobar la nitidez del lente. En conclusión, si quieres un lente de gama media, sin duda alguna, este Rokinon, es la mejor alternativa.

So coming back to update my review. After putting probably 2k photos through this lens I am Inlove! Build quality is top notch. The aperture ring clicks into place smoothly with nice detents to lock it in place. The click feedback is nice. The focus ring is buttery smooth with imo the perfect resistance. Lens hood was very tight locking in position at first but it's worn in a bit and fits much better. The lens cap kind of drives me nuts in the sense the finger grips are angled in a way that when you pinch the locks to release the cap there is no grip on your fingers and it shoots off. Optics are insanely good! This is the best lens I've used in a long time. As long as you do your part focusing images come out tack sharp! The clarity, colors and exposure is amazing. Wide open the contrast is a bit weak and depending on lighting there is some pretty wicked chromatic aberations. However it seems the moment you come off of f1.4 it's exponentially better and by f2.8 the lens is a monster to shoot with. I read someone here say you cannot use a filter. That is not true, it has 72mm filter threads. I'm sure copy to copy vary with these lenses but if you're lucky enough to get one like mine you're in for a good time!