Samyang 12mm Fisheye lens

Yos · 02-19-2015, 12:54 AM

Am I the only one that is excited about this lens coming to the K-mount.
FF and APS-C compatible and according to various reviews for different mounts it looks like a great lens.
Been lusting after a FE for a long time and with the FF release on the horizon I for one think it will be a great lens to add to your lens collection.

Abbazz · 02-19-2015, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by Yos

Am I the only one that is excited about this lens coming to the K-mount.

You're not the only one. This will be my next lens, for sure!
The DA 10-17 is usable on full frame from 15 to 17 mm but I find the image quality to be somewhat lacking on my 24 MPix Sony A7. The new Samyang lens features stereographic mapping, which is a superior fisheye projection (see the Lenstip review to learn more about the different mapping functions used for fisheyes). Image quality also seems very, very good:

Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Full-Frame Fisheye Lens Review | An Urbex & Extreme Adventure Photography Lens

Cheers!

Abbazz

saladin · 02-19-2015, 04:57 AM

the "old" 8mm fish eye gets very good reviews too.

Abbazz · 02-19-2015, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by saladin

the "old" 8mm fish eye gets very good reviews too.

It's a similar lens as the 12mm fisheye but for crop format whereas the 12mm is designed for full-frame.

Cheers!

Abbazz

Yos · 02-19-2015, 10:25 PM

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I am so excited about this lens.
Will most likely keep my K-3 as a back up to the upcoming FF so it will be great to be able to use the lens on both cameras

zzeitg · 02-02-2016, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Abbazz

You're not the only one. This will be my next lens, for sure!

I'm wondering if you've bought this lens and could share some experiences with us. Thx.

Driline · 02-02-2016, 04:32 PM

I'm looking forward to this lens as well.

ScooterMaxi Jim · 02-02-2016, 05:19 PM

Keep in mind that it is a near-stereoscopic projection that mimics the 8mm version, essentially providing the same FoV for FF as the 8mm for crop. So, it should be more popular once the FF comes out, but isn't a logical buy for current Pentax bodies.

This is much like the comparison of the very fine Sigma 12-24 that was made available for Pentax cameras despite its FF capabilities (and proved unpopular for obvious reasons at the time); the lens is very much a big sister to the 8-16 crop version that has proven highly popular for Pentax bodies. The 12-24 will be a unique opportunity in FF, though.

madbrain · 02-04-2016, 07:00 PM

Looks like this lens has a fixed hood, sigh.

Same problem as the original version of their 8mm lens. I had to shave the hood so I could use it on both my Pentax and Canon body.

I will wait for the version with the removable hood.

ScooterMaxi Jim · 02-05-2016, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

Looks like this lens has a fixed hood, sigh.

Same problem as the original version of their 8mm lens. I had to shave the hood so I could use it on both my Pentax and Canon body.

I will wait for the version with the removable hood.

Almost no chance of a removable hood on that lens. No one will be adapting to medium format, so the little hood is best kept in place. Nothing would be gained by removing the hood, other than a very slight gain in bag space. I suspect, though, that you would have nowhere to attach the lens cover without the hood, and carrying the lens with no protection for the bulbous front element strikes me as foolish.

zzeitg · 02-06-2016, 01:56 PM

I saw this lens some days ago at a local store. But I was strong this time

.

So far I'm fine with my 10-17 (and I also have an old 17-28).

Anyway the question is what would be better choice for K-1. This lens or Sigma 15mm, which comes with AF (not that AF for this focal length is something essential)?

Abbazz · 02-06-2016, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by zzeitg

I'm wondering if you've bought this lens and could share some experiences with us. Thx.

No, I dindn't buy it. I read a few bad reviews about the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm fisheye (apparently there is a quality control issue, as for many Samyang lenses), so I ended up buying a Sigma 15/2.8 fisheye instead. Optically speaking, it's a bit better than both the DA 10-17 and the F 17-28 Pentax fisheyes but it's also bigger and heavier... In fact, I prefer the flexibility of the zooms, so I use the Pentax fisheyes more, and particularly the 17-28 on full-frame because it cover the 24x36 field over its whole range and also because it has a real aperture ring (the DA 10-17 aperture is supposed to be controlled by the body, which is very inconvenient on the Sony A7).

Cheers!

Abbazz

zzeitg · 02-07-2016, 09:48 AM

Flickr group pool for each candidate below.

Samyang 12mm - https://www.flickr.com/groups/2795323@N22/pool/
Sigma 15mm - https://www.flickr.com/groups/sigma15mm/pool/

IMHO this duel is tough.

02-19-2015, 12:54 AM	#1
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533	Samyang 12mm Fisheye lens Am I the only one that is excited about this lens coming to the K-mount. FF and APS-C compatible and according to various reviews for different mounts it looks like a great lens. Been lusting after a FE for a long time and with the FF release on the horizon I for one think it will be a great lens to add to your lens collection.

02-02-2016, 05:19 PM	#8
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Keep in mind that it is a near-stereoscopic projection that mimics the 8mm version, essentially providing the same FoV for FF as the 8mm for crop. So, it should be more popular once the FF comes out, but isn't a logical buy for current Pentax bodies. This is much like the comparison of the very fine Sigma 12-24 that was made available for Pentax cameras despite its FF capabilities (and proved unpopular for obvious reasons at the time); the lens is very much a big sister to the 8-16 crop version that has proven highly popular for Pentax bodies. The 12-24 will be a unique opportunity in FF, though. Last edited by ScooterMaxi Jim; 02-02-2016 at 05:46 PM.

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02-19-2015, 02:10 AM	#2
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by Yos Am I the only one that is excited about this lens coming to the K-mount. You're not the only one. This will be my next lens, for sure! The DA 10-17 is usable on full frame from 15 to 17 mm but I find the image quality to be somewhat lacking on my 24 MPix Sony A7. The new Samyang lens features stereographic mapping, which is a superior fisheye projection (see the Lenstip review to learn more about the different mapping functions used for fisheyes). Image quality also seems very, very good: Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Full-Frame Fisheye Lens Review \| An Urbex & Extreme Adventure Photography Lens Cheers! Abbazz

02-19-2015, 04:57 AM	#3
saladin Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: outer eastern melbourne, australia Posts: 427	the "old" 8mm fish eye gets very good reviews too.

02-19-2015, 05:30 AM	#4
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by saladin the "old" 8mm fish eye gets very good reviews too. It's a similar lens as the 12mm fisheye but for crop format whereas the 12mm is designed for full-frame. Cheers! Abbazz

02-19-2015, 10:25 PM	#5
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533 Original Poster	Yeah, that's one of the reasons I am so excited about this lens. Will most likely keep my K-3 as a back up to the upcoming FF so it will be great to be able to use the lens on both cameras

02-02-2016, 02:48 PM	#6
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by Abbazz You're not the only one. This will be my next lens, for sure! I'm wondering if you've bought this lens and could share some experiences with us. Thx.

02-02-2016, 04:32 PM	#7
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	I'm looking forward to this lens as well.

02-04-2016, 07:00 PM	#9
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341	Looks like this lens has a fixed hood, sigh. Same problem as the original version of their 8mm lens. I had to shave the hood so I could use it on both my Pentax and Canon body. I will wait for the version with the removable hood.

02-05-2016, 08:25 PM	#10
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Originally posted by madbrain Looks like this lens has a fixed hood, sigh. Same problem as the original version of their 8mm lens. I had to shave the hood so I could use it on both my Pentax and Canon body. I will wait for the version with the removable hood. Almost no chance of a removable hood on that lens. No one will be adapting to medium format, so the little hood is best kept in place. Nothing would be gained by removing the hood, other than a very slight gain in bag space. I suspect, though, that you would have nowhere to attach the lens cover without the hood, and carrying the lens with no protection for the bulbous front element strikes me as foolish.

02-06-2016, 01:56 PM	#11
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	I saw this lens some days ago at a local store. But I was strong this time . So far I'm fine with my 10-17 (and I also have an old 17-28). Anyway the question is what would be better choice for K-1. This lens or Sigma 15mm, which comes with AF (not that AF for this focal length is something essential)?

02-06-2016, 11:15 PM	#12
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by zzeitg I'm wondering if you've bought this lens and could share some experiences with us. Thx. No, I dindn't buy it. I read a few bad reviews about the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm fisheye (apparently there is a quality control issue, as for many Samyang lenses), so I ended up buying a Sigma 15/2.8 fisheye instead. Optically speaking, it's a bit better than both the DA 10-17 and the F 17-28 Pentax fisheyes but it's also bigger and heavier... In fact, I prefer the flexibility of the zooms, so I use the Pentax fisheyes more, and particularly the 17-28 on full-frame because it cover the 24x36 field over its whole range and also because it has a real aperture ring (the DA 10-17 aperture is supposed to be controlled by the body, which is very inconvenient on the Sony A7). Cheers! Abbazz

02-07-2016, 09:48 AM	#13
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Flickr group pool for each candidate below. Samyang 12mm - https://www.flickr.com/groups/2795323@N22/pool/ Sigma 15mm - https://www.flickr.com/groups/sigma15mm/pool/ IMHO this duel is tough.