the Samyang Lens Club

**jeffshaddix** · 04-17-2016, 06:36 PM

Has anyone tried out the build quality between the samyang and rokinon variants? I know the glass is the same, but are they equivalent mechanically?

**clackers** · 04-17-2016, 06:43 PM

Surely Rokinon is just a rebadge?

**jeffshaddix** · 04-17-2016, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Surely Rokinon is just a rebadge?

Yeah, that's true, so probably not then.

I had a rokinon 85 a while back and the only thing I didn't like was the stiff focus ring. I'm going to purchase a 135, and have the option of the samyang version for $20 more. If for some reason the focus ring is nicer I'd go for that one.

adpo · 04-19-2016, 11:30 PM

Only vivitar rebadges have different focus ring material. Can't say if it's better, but it's different.

**jeffshaddix** · 04-20-2016, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by adpo

Only vivitar rebadges have different focus ring material. Can't say if it's better, but it's different.

I pulled the trigger on the rokinon. It's on sale for $459 at B&H, and the samyang edition is out of stock. I look forward to rejoining the club soon!

Na Horuk · 05-02-2016, 03:41 PM

Good luck, that 135mm seems really amazing! I have heard of stiff focusing rings on the 85mm before. Did you check the internet for fixes, solutions? There are some instructions on how to calibrated focusing ring for the 14mm, which was notorious for having miscalibrated focusing ring.

Cooled magma fields, Samyang 14mm, slightly cropped for aspect ratio

Auzzie-Phoenix · 05-08-2016, 11:55 PM - **1 Like**

A few shots taken over the last few weeks.

Had to really cut the shutter time on this one. The clouds were moving quite fast.

These 3 images were taken today (well, yesterday at this point, but I'm still awake, so it's still today by my standards). Taken at the end of the parking area at my normal fishing/astro spot at the lake. The plants that grow there are rather aromatic and smell quite nice, which is always an added bonus.

**Weevil** · 06-08-2016, 10:01 PM - **6 Likes**

Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses.
But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation.

please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances.
(Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC)

Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results!
The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB)

La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

takis63 · 06-09-2016, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Weevil

Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses.
But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation.

please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances.
(Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC)

Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results!
The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB)

La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

Simply stunning image!!!

Congrats!

**Weevil** · 06-09-2016, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by takis63

Simply stunning image!!!

Congrats!

Thanks !

Sagitta · 06-09-2016, 06:02 PM - **2 Likes**

I think everyone should own a Sammy 35mm, if for nothing else as self defense because you can club somebody over the head with it like a rock. Lens is heavy, man, heavy.

wkraus · 06-10-2016, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Weevil

Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses.
But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation.

please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances.
(Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC)

Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results!
The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB)

La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

Magnifique!

Pictora · 06-10-2016, 11:24 AM

This is an excellent lens club thread that I visit in regular basis. Being a newbie would like to see some coverage on the lens themselves from Samyang. Also, if one to buy one of these lens which one you guys will recommend first, second and third? Thanks.

gatorguy · 06-10-2016, 12:09 PM

Rec'd the Bower variant 85mm 1.4 yesterday. The first 3-4 shots yesterday, perhaps under less-than-ideal lighting, were underwhelming IMHO. To be honest I'd sorta started leaning towards a quick resale.

I gave it another run today under a little better lighting and now I'm impressed. Gosh, it could not be any sharper! Shoots a tad warm so take that into consideration, but very nice skin tone rendering in the dozen shots. Seems to do especially well between 4-7.1 which sorta negates that 1.4 spec as particularly useful. Anyway a couple more outside under gathering clouds were exceptionally sharp too. For $160 I think I may have found an accidental keeper. It's not what I was looking for to begin with.

Two niggling complaints: if they had spent another $1.00 on producing a better lens cap and hood it would have been nice.

Na Horuk · 06-10-2016, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by gatorguy

Seems to do especially well between 4-7.1 which sorta negates that 1.4 spec as particularly useful.

From what I've read about that lens, it is acceptably sharp wide open, but difficult to focus and has very shallow DoF, leading many users to complain that "something must be wrong" - but that's just the laws of optics. I've seen plenty of good sample photos with that lens at f1.4-f2.8

Anyway, here is a shot I took handheld underground some time ago with the S 14mm:

Cave chamber

04-17-2016, 07:05 PM	#693
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by clackers Surely Rokinon is just a rebadge? Yeah, that's true, so probably not then. I had a rokinon 85 a while back and the only thing I didn't like was the stiff focus ring. I'm going to purchase a 135, and have the option of the samyang version for $20 more. If for some reason the focus ring is nicer I'd go for that one. Last edited by jeffshaddix; 04-17-2016 at 08:53 PM.

06-08-2016, 10:01 PM - 6 Likes	#698
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	My first try on Milky Way photography (-xposted on the astrophoto group) Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses. But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation. please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances. (Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC) Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results! The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB) La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr Last edited by Weevil; 07-01-2016 at 09:48 PM.

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04-17-2016, 06:36 PM	#691
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Has anyone tried out the build quality between the samyang and rokinon variants? I know the glass is the same, but are they equivalent mechanically?

04-17-2016, 06:43 PM	#692
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Surely Rokinon is just a rebadge?

04-19-2016, 11:30 PM	#694
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	Only vivitar rebadges have different focus ring material. Can't say if it's better, but it's different.

04-20-2016, 05:03 AM	#695
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by adpo Only vivitar rebadges have different focus ring material. Can't say if it's better, but it's different. I pulled the trigger on the rokinon. It's on sale for $459 at B&H, and the samyang edition is out of stock. I look forward to rejoining the club soon!

05-02-2016, 03:41 PM	#696
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Good luck, that 135mm seems really amazing! I have heard of stiff focusing rings on the 85mm before. Did you check the internet for fixes, solutions? There are some instructions on how to calibrated focusing ring for the 14mm, which was notorious for having miscalibrated focusing ring. Cooled magma fields, Samyang 14mm, slightly cropped for aspect ratio

05-08-2016, 11:55 PM - 1 Like	#697
Auzzie-Phoenix Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,020	A few shots taken over the last few weeks. Had to really cut the shutter time on this one. The clouds were moving quite fast. These 3 images were taken today (well, yesterday at this point, but I'm still awake, so it's still today by my standards). Taken at the end of the parking area at my normal fishing/astro spot at the lake. The plants that grow there are rather aromatic and smell quite nice, which is always an added bonus.

06-09-2016, 08:57 AM	#699
takis63 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,023	Originally posted by Weevil Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses. But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation. please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances. (Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC) Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results! The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB) La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr Simply stunning image!!! Congrats!

06-09-2016, 05:24 PM	#700
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by takis63 Simply stunning image!!! Congrats! Thanks !

06-09-2016, 06:02 PM - 2 Likes	#701
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	I think everyone should own a Sammy 35mm, if for nothing else as self defense because you can club somebody over the head with it like a rock. Lens is heavy, man, heavy.

06-10-2016, 10:48 AM	#702
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,059	Originally posted by Weevil Well, not really the 1st of the 1st, I have tried in another area close to my city, and with different body (K-3II) and other slower lenses. But this is the 1st time I have an opportunity in a remote area (I went fishing this weekend, and got only one night where the sky was clear enough), and the 1st time I am using my newly acquired K-1 and Samyang 24mm f1.4, and it's the 1st time I am doing pano stitching with star fields... this is a stitch of 26 images (2 x13) in portrait orientation. please let me know if I made too much PP, especially if the colors are not OK, since I am color blind, and cannot see all the nuances. (Note: this is better viewed in Flickr in full screen mode or downloaded to your PC) Hope you enjoy it... but I am very pleased with the results! The Final cropped image = 17385x7044px. (482 MB) La Voie lactée / The Milky Way by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr Magnifique!

06-10-2016, 11:24 AM	#703
Pictora Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 88	This is an excellent lens club thread that I visit in regular basis. Being a newbie would like to see some coverage on the lens themselves from Samyang. Also, if one to buy one of these lens which one you guys will recommend first, second and third? Thanks.

06-10-2016, 12:09 PM	#704
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Rec'd the Bower variant 85mm 1.4 yesterday. The first 3-4 shots yesterday, perhaps under less-than-ideal lighting, were underwhelming IMHO. To be honest I'd sorta started leaning towards a quick resale. I gave it another run today under a little better lighting and now I'm impressed. Gosh, it could not be any sharper! Shoots a tad warm so take that into consideration, but very nice skin tone rendering in the dozen shots. Seems to do especially well between 4-7.1 which sorta negates that 1.4 spec as particularly useful. Anyway a couple more outside under gathering clouds were exceptionally sharp too. For $160 I think I may have found an accidental keeper. It's not what I was looking for to begin with. Two niggling complaints: if they had spent another $1.00 on producing a better lens cap and hood it would have been nice.

06-10-2016, 01:52 PM	#705
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by gatorguy Seems to do especially well between 4-7.1 which sorta negates that 1.4 spec as particularly useful. From what I've read about that lens, it is acceptably sharp wide open, but difficult to focus and has very shallow DoF, leading many users to complain that "something must be wrong" - but that's just the laws of optics. I've seen plenty of good sample photos with that lens at f1.4-f2.8 Anyway, here is a shot I took handheld underground some time ago with the S 14mm: Cave chamber