Earlier this year, Korean optics company Rokinon released its 50mm f/1.4 lens, and it was met with high praise for being a great value for the money.
Adorama sells the Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 lens for approximately $399, which is comparable in price to other lenses of similar features. So why consider this lens above the rest? Read on to find out.
Compatibility
While this lens is also produced in a Canon EF, Sony E, Sony A and Pentax K mount option, for purposes of the this review, I tested the Nikon F-mount version on a Nikon D810 camera body. A full-frame design, this fast prime lens also works on crop sensor format camera bodies at a focal length equivalent to approximately 75mm.
Look and Feel
This particular 50mm f/1.4 lens has nine elements in six groups. It weighs in at almost 1.2 lbs with a length of 2.8″, which is a bit larger than some 50mm F1.4 lenses such as the Canon and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lenses but also smaller than others like the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art Lens that weighs a whopping 1.8 lbs. and has a length of 3.93″. It does not have a cheap feel like some other lenses out there and there is always something to be said for the relation between weight, durability and reliability. Take the lens cover off and a 77mm filter of choice can be added depending on what you are shooting – a UV filter at the very least of which I would highly recommend considering the Rokinon line tends not to have weather-sealing for their lenses. However, this is not of major concern beyond a potential dust issue as there is no electronic connection between the lens and the camera body to be affected.
The aperture ring is very easy to turn with each aperture stop soft but clearly felt. The external casing of this bad boy has lots of bold and clear hyperfocal distance, aperture and depth of field markings, which is great so as to not keep photographers wondering where they are with these important settings. The lens has a very smooth focus ring with a long focus throw to grant a more accurate focusing capability. Overall, this lens is very easy to navigate and maneuver for excellent imaging opportunities.
While difficult to capture fast-moving action with a manual focus lens,
the detail shown in this image almost contradicts this.
Image Quality
The one plus or minus – whether you belong to the cult of manual focus shooters or you are a strict autofocus shooter – is lack of autofocus. For those who shoot strictly autofocus, once you get past the learning curve of shooting manual focus, this lens will be your favorite, “go-to” 50mm lens. Above many others, this lens definitely stands out in optical performance. Once you get past the manual focusing challenge, you will find the ability to make images tack sharp, which is not always found with autofocus lenses. On the other end of the spectrum, this lens yields some beautifully natural, soft and creamy bokeh, as shown in my flower image below. This 50mm lens has marked aperture setting choices between f/1.4 and f/22, with unmarked half-stop apertures between f/1.4 and f/2 as well as f/16 and f/22. The lens renders high quality contrast, however, chromatic aberrations may sometimes be slightly noticeable in hard contrasty edges – very slight and really not that noticeable but worth a mention. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality and vividness of images produced by this lens.
Untouched, see the crystal clarity of the eye,
and notice the lack of vignetting in the corners.
Recommended Uses
One might wonder how a manual focus lens that you have to rotate with a slow twist might compete with the efficiency of an electronic autofocus lens? Macro photography is an obvious first thought that comes to mind. However, have you ever gone for a night shoot and found that when you try to focus on something lit in the distance your autofocus begins to have a mind of its own – shifting back and forth – hunting for a proper focus point? Even in broad daylight, you can have the same problem when shooting a subject that has their back to the sun. Like the problem with night photography, blown out highlights created by the sun (or overwhelming shadows in the case of night photography) contribute to lack of contrast, which is necessary for the camera to pick up focus.
Being manual focus-only, not only does this lens take exceptional macro shots, but I have found its other optimal uses to be in portraiture, landscapes and scenics where you might shoot wide open as well as low-light situations or almost any situation where you might find yourself using a tripod.
I took this image to demonstrate that 50’s are good for more than portraiture.
Additional Accessories Included
A nice touch to note: Rokinon doesn’t cheap out (even though the parts could be cheap…) Also in the 50mm f/1.4 box are both a reversible lens hood and a drawstring bag to protect the lens before, during and after use. A nice touch, as, most manufacturers make you pay extra for these options and you have to remember to purchase them when you purchase the lens, otherwise you risk lens damage until you actually have those items.
Crisp, sharp centers with smooth bokeh for macro work.
Conclusion and Recommendation
If you are able to forego an autofocus feature, the Rokinon 50mm F1.4 is a heck of a deal for the value, coming in at $399 at Adorama. This lens is also available in Canon EF, Sony E, Sony A and Pentax K mounts.
