Samyang / Rokinon Lenses?

[Gary Paul Walker]

I've searched high and low, and haven't seemed to find any examples of Samyang / Rokinon footage with a Scarlet or Epic..
Does anyone have any thoughts on the quality? I've used a few in a stills environment, but was curious to survey my fellow Redusers opinions...

[Bob Gundu]

I have them in my bag along with my Leicas when I really need a faster lens. Great bang for the buck.

[Jose Lomeña]

35mm 1.4 is really good at 2.8, focus and iris are smooth too. 8mm 3.5 is not so bad, but can be a lot better.

[Mike P.]

I think these are both Samyang/Rokinon; Bob can confirm...

35mm at 2.8 (I think) captured via ATOMOS Samurai to ProRES LT (with overlay on by accident, hence the crosshairs, and punched in 6% to get rid of the border, since it was the latest non-beta firmware):
http://vimeo.com/42743759

85mm at 1.4 (I think) out of RCX:
http://vimeo.com/42741155

That's under tungsten with a quick colour correction... I wouldn't consider it a "grade" per se, as it was mostly just contrast (s-curve) and slight reduction in the blue channel (for warmth). Not sure if that helps since it's incredibly compressed internet video, but in my opinion the results are better than "good" given the cost of these f1.4 lenses.

[Gary Paul Walker]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll pick up a few for testing.. a buddy of mine is going to use my Scarlet to shoot a student feature and he's going to use the 85 and 35 so I'll get him to post a link when he's done. Obviously, I don't for a minute think it'll hold up against Canon L series or better, but whatever works I guess

[Greg McDonald]

I bought a used 85mm 1.4 just because it was so dang cheap at $225. Did a test on Epic against a Zeiss contax 85mm 1.4 But didn't keep any of the test footage.

It's much warmer than Zeiss, has significantly more red in the image and a slightly wider angle of view than the Zeiss. It's sharper than the Zeiss from 1.4 up to 2.8. At 2.8 they're about the same and down from there the Zeiss is significantly sharper, not to mention has a way better look IMO.

But for such a cheap lens whaddya want? I'm going to keep it just for those times I need a sharp image from 1.4 to 2.0.

[Nick Morrison]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll pick up a few for testing.. a buddy of mine is going to use my Scarlet to shoot a student feature and he's going to use the 85 and 35 so I'll get him to post a link when he's done. Obviously, I don't for a minute think it'll hold up against Canon L series or better, but whatever works I guess

You see, in a funny way, I think "whatever works" may get you in trouble. The Scarlet is a RAW camera that won't forgive. It's all about the glass. If you are going to go cheap on glass, then at least get glass with character. Old Nikons, old M42's. I think that will give you such better look and texture.

I have no experience with the Rokinon's, but my observations from looking at footage and stills is that they are very sharp...but not a lot of personality.

But for the price...yeah...that are pretty hard to beat.

Good luck!

[Daniel Stilling]

I have a set of 24, 35 and 85. I complemented it with the Zeiss 50 and the 8 mm.
Im very happy with it.
I have all RED zooms (17-50, 50-150 and reho Tokina 11-16), but when I need those extra stops for product shots or the like, I use the Rokinon set, and you can't beat the cost-benefit. 24 not insanely sharp, but the other 2 are...

[Gary Paul Walker]

You see, in a funny way, I think "whatever works" may get you in trouble. The Scarlet is a RAW camera that won't forgive. It's all about the glass. If you are going to go cheap on glass, then at least get glass with character. Old Nikons, old M42's. I think that will give you such better look and texture.

I have no experience with the Rokinon's, but my observations from looking at footage and stills is that they are very sharp...but not a lot of personality.

But for the price...yeah...that are pretty hard to beat.

Good luck!

Ah yes I agree.. I used "whatever works" rather flippantly there...I've used a fair bit of m42 glass and have been really happy with the results. As a rule I tend to get the best glass that budget will allow, but I'm looking at these alternatives principally because the next few projects I'm helping out with they have no budget whatsoever, and I'm donating my time (and camera) to help them out.. and shockingly my glass is with a fellow filmaker as he finishes a music video.
Poor timing but if I can get a good 'bang for buck' stop gap thatll look good in 2k/1080p then that would suffice.

[Nick Morrison]

Ah yes I agree.. I used "whatever works" rather flippantly there...I've used a fair bit of m42 glass and have been really happy with the results. As a rule I tend to get the best glass that budget will allow, but I'm looking at these alternatives principally because the next few projects I'm helping out with they have no budget whatsoever, and I'm donating my time (and camera) to help them out.. and shockingly my glass is with a fellow filmaker as he finishes a music video.
Poor timing but if I can get a good 'bang for buck' stop gap thatll look good in 2k/1080p then that would suffice.

True. Its take a while to build up a cool M42 or Nikon collection. Whereas you can buy the Rokinon's at your local camera store. Great stop gap indeed.

Yeah. I kinda want to see what a CZJ Flektagon 35 2.4 looks like on the Scarlet, or the Takumar 50 1.4 for that matter...Hmmm...