Lens Question

Hello
I'm considering buying a Rokinon 14mm F2.8 and of the two retailers I'm considering buying the lens from, they each have a different description for the lens.

Based on the description from retailer A, I'm under the impression that the lens they are selling is a newer version of the one retailer B is selling but, I'm not sure.
Both are quite close in cost.
Below are word for word descriptions from each retailer.

Retailer A:
Rokinon FE14M-C 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens for Canon (Black). New updated UMC version.


Retailer B:
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens For Canon EF

Both are fully manual with no AE chip.

Can anyone tell me if these are the same lens or if one is actually an updated version?

I called retailer B and the person I talked to seemed to think they were the same lens but, wasn't absolutely certain.

Clue gathering...

From borrowlenses.com

name: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
• Focal Length: 14mm (about 22.4mm equivalent on 1.6x crop sensor cameras)
• Max Aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 9”
• Angle of View: 115.7 degrees (89.9º for crop sensor cameras)
• Focusing capabilities: AF/MF
• Filter size: n/a
• Length: 3.43”
• Weight: 1.21 lbs

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC additional information from B&H site

• Lens is constructed with two ED lens elements, one hybrid aspherical lens element and one glass aspherical lens element,
  
• Super multi-layer coating
  
• minimum focusing distance of .9' (27.43 cm)
  
• Elements/groups: 14/10
  
• Dimensions (DxL), weight Approx. 3.43 x 3.78" (87 x 96.1 mm); 1.21 lbs., 550g
  

• features 2 ed lens elements, one hybrid, aspherical lens element, and one glass aspherical lens element
  
• Minimum Focusing Distance of 10.8 inches
  
• This is the new updated UMC version
  
• 14 Elements in 12 Groups, Focal Length : 10.5 -14mm
  
• Dimensions 3.43 x 3.43 x 3.78 inches; 1.22 lbs.
  
• Model year 2014
  
• UNSPSC Code 45121603
  

• constructed with two ED lens elements, one hybrid aspherical lens element and one glass aspherical lens element
  
• Super multi-layer coating to reduce flares and ghost images, Ultra Multi-Coating
  
• Lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.9' (28 cm) for enhanced close-up shots
  
• Elements/groups: 14/10
  
• Dimensions 3.43 x 3.43 x 3.78 inches; 19.4oz
  
• UPC: 0-84438-15856-4
  

Thanks for the clue gathering.
The main thing in the differences that stand out to me is the very slight MFD distance and the elements in groups spec.
I'm not a technical person so, I don't know what's better, 14 in 10 or 14 in 12.
Or does elements/groups make a big difference in this case.

Better yet, what lens would you suggest if there is a difference between the two?

I do not see a difference in specs in the minimum focus distance...

27.4cm = 10.8" = 0.9'
Rokinon seems simply to have rounded, 0.9' to 28 cm

the more significant spec difference is the number of Groups that the 14 elements are arranged in, 10 groups vs. 12 groups. There is not an inherently 'better'; fewer groups does hypothetically lose just a bit less light because it has fewer air-to-glass transitions. But fewer groups also might translate to 'less corrections' of other optical issues...so maybe macht nicht!

The newer design carries the UPC code listed in the Rokinon description and (theoretically) a newer design 'should be better' ...so ask Amazon to tell you the UPC code on the box of the lens they would ship to you but I doubt they could do that! The UNSPSC Code listed by Amazon is rather useless information, as 45121603 is described as: Camera lenses or filters. So you could purchase the lens and simply return the product if it is not UPC: 0-84438-15856-4

Adorama does list the Manufacturer model as FE14M-C, which is the same as the current model on the Rokinon website. The Amazon listing fails to mention Manufacturer model

OK
Thanks for the information.