Samyang Rokinon Vivitar 14 2.8 lens

rparchen wrote in post #16168392
Just a few from me, I've always enjoyed shooting my Samyang 14mm at night.

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …ake7_zps490a64a​8.jpg.html

This panoramic took a lot of shots:

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …ake4_zpsa24d97a​f.jpg.html

Just WOW, I'll say it again... WOW....You my friend have just caused me to dig in my pocket for this along with the Sig 35 1.4 . They will be the next two I purchase.

rpachen, can you give us a little info on how you took these images. Any filters involved. Great post production on these images...

**edit** I read through the thread a little, I see your at 2.8 anywhere from 3200 to 6400 for 30 sec. Not familiar with a skywalker ?

rparchen wrote in post #16168392
Just a few from me, I've always enjoyed shooting my Samyang 14mm at night.

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …ake7_zps490a64a​8.jpg.html

This panoramic took a lot of shots:

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …ake4_zpsa24d97a​f.jpg.html

Hope you're not sick of compliments!
These are among the best star images I've EVER seen! Should be in NatGeo!
And dammit....you just enticed me into buying this lens too! Was saving for the Zeiss 15 but if that's what the Sammy can do...I can't see any reason to spend 9 times as much!

Maverique wrote in post #16116164
Is there any way to set this up so it does show the aperture on EXIF and AF confirm?

Not automatically, but you can use an Exif editor to add the info.

One of my test shots before doing the 13 shot sequence for stitching. I actually liked this shot with some sunset in it.

Those are some awesome shots Keith and rparchen!

I've just got into astrophotography and your images are what I hope to some day come close to.

Here's one of mine from last night with this lens (the Rokinon version). I have a LONG way to go yet, this is only my second go at it, the first being a few weeks ago. This is from a single 30 second exposure. The foreground isn't the greatest since it was VERY windy last night and some of the smaller trees are just a blur in the image. The rocks are being lit from some dying embers of my campfire.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/55229792@N03/9​440338924/

Bianchi wrote in post #16180248
Just WOW, I'll say it again... WOW....You my friend have just caused me to dig in my pocket for this along with the Sig 35 1.4 . They will be the next two I purchase.

rpachen, can you give us a little info on how you took these images. Any filters involved. Great post production on these images...

**edit** I read through the thread a little, I see your at 2.8 anywhere from 3200 to 6400 for 30 sec. Not familiar with a skywalker ?

A SkyTracker allows a longer exposure of the stars so can either stop the lens down or lower the ISO without getting the star trails. I'm still playing around to find the best combo of ISO/F-stop/shutter speed (I've been doing ISO 800, F/4, 4 minutes with good results) but the SkyTracker is a great device when shooting stars. F/2.8,6400/30 seconds surely works well but I don't think it would be possible to stitch those images since you'll still get some trails.

yipDog Studios wrote in post #16180273
Hope you're not sick of compliments!
These are among the best star images I've EVER seen! Should be in NatGeo!
And dammit....you just enticed me into buying this lens too! Was saving for the Zeiss 15 but if that's what the Sammy can do...I can't see any reason to spend 9 times as much!

You're way too kind! The Ziess 15mm is apparently a gen of a lens but the cost is quite astronomical. I really don't think you'll be disappointed in anyway with the Sammy 14. The flaws of the lens (distortion, bogus focus scale, manual aperture) are all easily issues to live with and/or fix. Don't forget to post up some samples when you get it!

Now onto editing some new shots from Glacier NP from this weekend

Thanks for the feedback rparchen your kind.....Much appreciated !!!

Which version is the best? Samyang, bower, or rokokin? Bhphoto has different price points for all three.

Just got the Sammy cine version (I do a lot more video than photo)
Haven't had much of a chance to play but it is very well made and the rings are smoooooth!
Taking a quick peak through live view it looks really nice! Tomorrow I will have a chance to play!

PhilipJohnBasile wrote in post #16189923
Which version is the best? Samyang, bower, or rokokin? Bhphoto has different price points for all three.

Samyang
Bower
Rokinon
Vivitar
Pro Optic
Walimex

They should all be the same. Just buy the one with the best price, or the one with the name you like best.

Yes, the Vivitar 13mm is exactly the same lens. The Vivitar instruction manual now says so on page 10. (same angle of view, and 10/14 elements)

Vivitar specs: http://www.vivitar.com …856/13MMN_Lens_​Manual.pdf

msowsun wrote in post #16190024
Samyang
Bower
Rokinon
Vivitar
Pro Optic

They should all be the same. Just buy the one with the best price, or the one with the name you like best.

In principle, yes, they should all be the same. I own a Bower 14mm, personally. But when it had some problems just a few days past the 30-day return window at B&H, I tried contacting Bower for warranty service, with no luck whatsoever. I contacted B&H customer service looking for help in contacting the manufacturer, and they did a warranty return/replace even though it was outside the 30 day window. I'm quite glad the replacement Bower performs excellently.

That being said, I bought a Rokinon 35mm used, and was able to talk to an actual human being on the phone regarding getting a replacement hood for it.

Take that for what it's worth.

--Greg

gmikol wrote in post #16190088
In principle, yes, they should all be the same. I own a Bower 14mm, personally. But when it had some problems just a few days past the 30-day return window at B&H, I tried contacting Bower for warranty service, with no luck whatsoever. I contacted B&H customer service looking for help in contacting the manufacturer, and they did a warranty return/replace even though it was outside the 30 day window. I'm quite glad the replacement Bower performs excellently.

That being said, I bought a Rokinon 35mm used, and was able to talk to an actual human being on the phone regarding getting a replacement hood for it.

Take that for what it's worth.

--Greg

Good point. I bought mine used, but customer service should be an important factor in deciding which one to buy.

This was taken with my newly acquired Samyang 14 F/2.8

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i877.photobucke​t.com …ilkytrees_zps5c​a35e10.jpg

Nice Matt! Any stacking or was this one exposure?

Where was this taken? I'm going to pickup this lens myself for an upcoming trip to the Sierra's (Mammoth Lakes) in Sept. You simply can't go wide enough in those environments and I hope to get some good night sky shots as well.