Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

ajtour · 04-13-2010, 01:16 PM

I bit the bullet and clicked "buy" last week on the much discussed Rokinon 85mm 1.4. Aperture talks to the K20D, but focus is manual only.

I found that when I hit the focus perfectly, the results were astoundingly sharp. However, the margin for error is much more slim than my Pentax SMC-M 50mm 1.4.

Samples:

1/125 - approx. f/4 - ISO 1600

1/350 - approx. f/4 - ISO 100

Does anyone else have this lens (or its cousins Bower / Samyang)? Suggestions for maxing its potential?

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-13-2010, 01:51 PM

I have the vivitar version.,

I have found there is only one way to focus this lens,

WITH A SPLIT IMAGE

ajtour · 04-13-2010, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I have the vivitar version.,

I have found there is only one way to focus this lens,

WITH A SPLIT IMAGE

I've never tried one of these. Where/what do I buy to adapt one for the K20D? And, is it something you can pop on and off when you switch to an AF lens?

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-13-2010, 02:57 PM

A split image is a special focusing screen, which with a little dexterity you can change in the camera in about 5-10 minutes.

There are several, the most reputable is KatxEye, but there are others from china.

Mine is from Jinfinance, in china, and is a diagonal split image with a microprism focusing ring around the split iamge.

It does not interfere with AF functions but does interfere with metering, expecially spot metering.

BUT I have 20 MF lenses between K mounts and M42 lenses, and since I have multiple bodies, I put the split image into my K10D to make it a MF body

It still works in AF so it is no big issue for me and it is a back up to my K7 for AF

Pentaxor · 04-13-2010, 06:53 PM

I loved the Rokinon. but it seems that my newly acquired J9 is slowly becoming a favorite. I'm beginning to favor it more because it's a lot sharper at the smaller apertures, especially from f5.6 (very very sharp) and below. but the Rokinon's got milk at f1.4.

writeb · 05-10-2010, 02:06 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

I loved the Rokinon. but it seems that my newly acquired J9 is slowly becoming a favorite. I'm beginning to favor it more because it's a lot sharper at the smaller apertures, especially from f5.6 (very very sharp) and below. but the Rokinon's got milk at f1.4.

What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it?

F/1.6:

Pentaxor · 05-10-2010, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by writeb

What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it?

F/1.6:

the got milk remark is used more like in the same context with got game in basketball. meaning it's good and got some skill at something in particular.

as far as focusing at f1.4, I find it difficult to nail half of the time as well, especially at 1m, unless I setup the shot perfectly by using a tripod or use a 2.5-3x magnifying eyepiece or shoot under LV.

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-10-2010, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by writeb

What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it?

F/1.6:

what I really like about this lens is the fact that the OOF area is just a blurr of colors, with no detail, there is no apparent shape introduced to the OOF region by the aperture at all

Pentaxor · 05-10-2010, 10:28 AM

it is also great for impressionist type photography.

saran · 05-23-2010, 01:10 PM

Great lens for portraits.
When you hit the focus right (it's not to hard), I think that resaults are wonderfull.
Few samples from k10d, jpg, without postprocessing:

f 1.4

crop

f 2.2

f 3.2

f 1.4

Full size image: link

f 1.4

f 3.2

crop

f 1.4

crop

04-13-2010, 01:16 PM	#1
ajtour Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 83	Rokinon 85mm 1.4 I bit the bullet and clicked "buy" last week on the much discussed Rokinon 85mm 1.4. Aperture talks to the K20D, but focus is manual only. I found that when I hit the focus perfectly, the results were astoundingly sharp. However, the margin for error is much more slim than my Pentax SMC-M 50mm 1.4. Samples: 1/125 - approx. f/4 - ISO 1600 1/125 - approx. f/4 - ISO 1600 1/350 - approx. f/4 - ISO 100 Does anyone else have this lens (or its cousins Bower / Samyang)? Suggestions for maxing its potential?

05-23-2010, 01:10 PM	#10
saran New Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Great lens for portraits. When you hit the focus right (it's not to hard), I think that resaults are wonderfull. Few samples from k10d, jpg, without postprocessing: f 1.4 crop f 2.2 f 3.2 f 1.4 Full size image: link f 1.4 f 3.2 crop f 1.4 f 1.4 crop

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which 85mm: Takumar 1.9 vs Rokinon 1.4 vs Jupiter-9	yusuf	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	04-10-2010 03:21 PM
ROKINON 85MM F1.4 LENS	NEBULA_ONE	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	03-12-2010 10:51 AM
Rokinon 85mm 1.4 on the K-7	Pentaxor	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	0	11-07-2009 06:30 PM
Got my Rokinon 85mm f1.4 .. what a well made lens !	wll	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	08-07-2009 10:39 AM
Rokinon MF 85mm f/1.4 first test	jogiba	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	06-26-2009 04:50 PM

04-13-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	I have the vivitar version., I have found there is only one way to focus this lens, WITH A SPLIT IMAGE

04-13-2010, 02:01 PM	#3
ajtour Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I have the vivitar version., I have found there is only one way to focus this lens, WITH A SPLIT IMAGE I've never tried one of these. Where/what do I buy to adapt one for the K20D? And, is it something you can pop on and off when you switch to an AF lens?

04-13-2010, 02:57 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	A split image is a special focusing screen, which with a little dexterity you can change in the camera in about 5-10 minutes. There are several, the most reputable is KatxEye, but there are others from china. Mine is from Jinfinance, in china, and is a diagonal split image with a microprism focusing ring around the split iamge. It does not interfere with AF functions but does interfere with metering, expecially spot metering. BUT I have 20 MF lenses between K mounts and M42 lenses, and since I have multiple bodies, I put the split image into my K10D to make it a MF body It still works in AF so it is no big issue for me and it is a back up to my K7 for AF

04-13-2010, 06:53 PM	#5
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I loved the Rokinon. but it seems that my newly acquired J9 is slowly becoming a favorite. I'm beginning to favor it more because it's a lot sharper at the smaller apertures, especially from f5.6 (very very sharp) and below. but the Rokinon's got milk at f1.4.

05-10-2010, 02:06 AM	#6
writeb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Jose Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150	Originally posted by Pentaxor I loved the Rokinon. but it seems that my newly acquired J9 is slowly becoming a favorite. I'm beginning to favor it more because it's a lot sharper at the smaller apertures, especially from f5.6 (very very sharp) and below. but the Rokinon's got milk at f1.4. What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it? F/1.6:

05-10-2010, 09:41 AM	#7
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by writeb What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it? F/1.6: the got milk remark is used more like in the same context with got game in basketball. meaning it's good and got some skill at something in particular. as far as focusing at f1.4, I find it difficult to nail half of the time as well, especially at 1m, unless I setup the shot perfectly by using a tripod or use a 2.5-3x magnifying eyepiece or shoot under LV.

05-10-2010, 10:01 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by writeb What does "got milk" mean in this context? Are you saying it's very soft at f/1.4? I'm not so sure... The problem for me has been nailing the razor thin DOF at 1.4. Are you fairly positive you nailed the focus in the case where you tested it? F/1.6: what I really like about this lens is the fact that the OOF area is just a blurr of colors, with no detail, there is no apparent shape introduced to the OOF region by the aperture at all

05-10-2010, 10:28 AM	#9
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	it is also great for impressionist type photography.