This lens is certainly not what we anticipated, and I’m saying that as a very good factor. Gone are the times of huge lenses being such a trouble to make use of, and this lens is without doubt one of the causes behind that.
This previous 12 months, lens producers have clearly centered on producing lens choices which can be exterior the same old ranges. Some commonplace zooms and telephoto lenses have now been made out there with wider apertures, and even huge angle prime lenses have proven up available on the market as extra compact and quicker variations. This lens, co-designed by Germany’s Schneider Kreuznach and South Korea’s LK Samyang, offers the ultra-wide angle zoom a distinct vary with out making it any greater or heavier than regular.
The Schneider Kreuznach x LK Samyang 14-24mm f/2.8
The n LK 14-24mm f/2.8 from Samyang, identified within the US because the model Rokinon, is obtainable for Sony E-mount cameras suitable with each full body and APS-C. Upon first listening to about this lens, the quick expectation was that it might be massive, heavy, and have a protruding entrance factor that might make it more durable to make use of with filters. This assumption comes from numerous experiences with lenses wider than 16mm that grew to become in the end much less helpful due to ergonomic elements.
That assumption was completely flawed, and it was shocking to see this lens with a size of 98.63 mm and a width of simply 84 mm, weighing simply 445 grams. Extra importantly, it doesn’t have a bulbous entrance factor, which permits it for use with common round screw-in filters and sq. format filters for panorama images.
On the entrance is a 77mm filter thread coated by the reversible lens hood. It has a grip-textured focus ring on probably the most distal finish of the barrel, adopted by a thicker zoom ring with a distinct texture sample. The lens zooms externally and extends when adjusted to a wider focal size, which exposes a possible house for mud and sand publicity. On one facet of the lens is a customizable button together with a USB-C port to be used with the model’s calibration and replace app.
Optics
Except for the bodily elements, probably the most putting factor about this lens is how sharp it’s. It has an aperture vary of f/2.8 to f/22, and all through that vary it confirmed considerably good optical efficiency. Upon nearer inspection, the sharpest aperture for each the middle and the corners appears to be f/5.6. Although smaller apertures deliver extra layers into focus, the sharpest particulars nonetheless seem at f/5.6.
At apertures of f/8 to f/11, this sharpness stays fairly comparable; nevertheless, past f/16, a major decline may be seen.
Alongside this, it’s simple that this lens has a major quantity of barrel distortion, which often is the trade-off for attaining such a focal vary in such a small lens. This distortion stays seen as much as about 20mm and is much more noticeable due to the roughly 1.5-stop vignette on the corners of the body.
The distortion and vignette, contemplating the construct and type of this lens, don’t come as a shock in any respect. The model has additionally made its lens profile out there on its web site, which may be added to Lightroom and Adobe Digicam Uncooked for correction with only one click on. After correction, the distortion is considerably diminished and the vignette can be compensated for. Personally, I observed that the vignette correction might have gone too far, so I manually alter it from 100 right down to 50 on the vignette slider proper under the correction module.
Focusing
Autofocus on each picture and video is undoubtedly snappy and correct, making it very straightforward to make use of when there’s an abundance of sunshine. Taking pictures shifting topics with the proper topic recognition and monitoring, even with huge focus choice, confirmed no misfocusing that I can recall.
Nevertheless, there have been some situations the place the autofocus did miss in considerably dim environments and when used with heavy (12–16 cease) ND filters. This lag is diminished when on AF-C since steady focus has much less to regulate than single spot focusing.
Software
The LK Samyang/Rokinon 14-24mm f/2.8 is certainly a lens with a variety of potential functions. Primarily, it’s an ideal lens for panorama images, particularly in places with a variety of foreground components. The shut minimal focusing distance also can contribute to that if focus bracketing suits your strategy. Extra importantly, it’s broadly suitable with regular-sized filters, each round and sq. format. I like to recommend utilizing both slim round filters or 100 mm format sq. filters to keep away from getting the edges of the filters within the body at 14mm. Nevertheless, I used to be additionally in a position to shoot with the H&Y Revoring Mk II panorama package, although I needed to cope with a little bit of darkening within the corners at 14mm.
As well as, such a lens may be very useful in taking pictures huge scenes for journey images and road images. An ultra-wide angle zoom may be very helpful in such pursuits, particularly with a variety like this. Greater than something, will probably be the optical efficiency and the 14mm minimal focal size that supply a singular taking pictures expertise.
Taking pictures structure and interiors would require a little bit of getting used to however is, in fact, potential, even if you end up cautious of the distortion.
After correction, there’s little or no hint of distortion, and most viewers gained’t discover it in any respect. It might have been significantly better if the distortion correction profile could possibly be considered in-camera whereas taking pictures to keep away from confusion when utilizing grids, however different instruments can be found to make that simpler. Nonetheless, the focal vary, versatility, and general sharpness of this lens make it a very good choice as nicely.
The LK Samyang/Rokinon 14-24mm f/2.8 is exclusive ultra-wide angle zoom lens and was undoubtedly a pleasing shock. A distinct vary that didn’t are available an enormous and ponderous kind but presents actually good sharpness.
What I Preferred
Distinctive wide-angle zoom vary
Pretty compact and lightweight
Makes use of commonplace filter codecs
Nice glass high quality
What Can Be Improved
Heavy barrel distortion (simply corrected in publish)
Low gentle focusing
