Rokinon 8mm vs. 18-55 kit

Thats not an "upgrade" its a completely different lens. An upgrade for the kit would be a tamron 17-50 2.8

eheathThats not an "upgrade" its a completely different lens. An upgrade for the kit would be a tamron 17-50 2.8

Really just using the kit lens as a benchmark for quality.

skiizey_steezyReally just using the kit lens as a benchmark for quality.

But you also need to consider the use of the lens as well. A 8mm fisheye has one purpose. a 18-55 has alot of uses. Having both would be good.

skiizey_steezyReally just using the kit lens as a benchmark for quality.

They're hard to compare but the 8mm is a bit finer glass. That being said, it's a fisheye so it has a lot of distortion, especially towards the perimeter. You can correct for this in post, but the quality of the picture will still be affected. But you probably already knew that.

Here's a somewhat valid comparison: cropping a photo on the 8mm to an effective 18mm from the kit lens. You'd probably be better off using the kit lens, even though a little motto of mine is "when in doubt, zoom out." You'd probably lose more quality in the crop than you'd gain in the glass.

In comparison to fisheyes in general, it's a fine lens. Good bang for your buck if you're a beginner filmer/photographer. If you're planning on making skate or ski edits and love the fisheye look or are just looking to get creative for photos, go for it. It'll add a lot more character than your 18-55 but it'd be good to have both to use.

I suggest doing a simple Google image search for "rokinon 8mm (same as samyang if you weren't aware) photos" and "canon 18-55mm II (or STM or whichever yours is) images" and just doing a simple visual comparison. Odds are if you can't tell a certain difference, the majority of the people seeing your media won't either, in which case it really doesn't matter.

Honestly, the kit lens does not suck. One of the downfalls of the kit lens is that it does not have a constant aperture throughout the lens. An 8mm lens will not replace your kit lens, but it will be adding to your range of lens coverage. What do you plan on shooting with your upgraded lens in mind? I may be able to suggest some other possible lenses in your price range.

Anyways, here's all about the Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide Angle f/3.5 Fisheye Lens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzck_cBpwUo

xnick11What do you plan on shooting with your upgraded lens in mind? I may be able to suggest some other possible lenses in your price range. o

Skiing, Skateboarding, and other action sports

skiizey_steezySkiing, Skateboarding, and other action sports

Thanks!

Skiing, skateboarding, and other action sports can be a pretty broad topic. Many different lenses can come into play under certain circumstances. Staying on topic of the 8mm Rokinon, the main uses for this lens would be to get a wide perspective. In terms of action sports this lens will be most useful when following your subject, or when you need to be close to your subject.

Keep in mind the Rokinon 8mm lens does not allow you to attach a threaded ND filter to the front element of the lens. Here's a solution to that: http://www.diyphotography.net/add-nd-filter-impossibly-curved-rokinon-8mm-f2-8-fisheye-lens/

skiizey_steezySkiing, Skateboarding, and other action sports

Just want to point out that "what" you are shooting doesnt mean shit for what you are using the lens for.

It may play a small factor but style is WAY more important.


I dont give two shits if you are shooting skiing. I would argue that a tele lens is just as important as a wide angle if you are filming skiing.

What it depends on is your SHOOTING STYLE.

I personally shoot ski edits like older skate movies, WIDE as hell ( i have a roki 8mm), and WAYY too close to the action. That is how I, shoot.

You may be someone who doesnt shoot like that. What you need to do is think about if it is worth it for you.

It is a good chunk of glass, but there are tele's that are good chunks of glass for the same price.

If you want the wide feel, nothing beats 8mm on a crop sensor. But if you want to know if it will "upgrade" your films(or photos) nobody can tell you that except yourself man.

Sorry for the negative response, but i am soooo tired of people asking NS about what type of lens they should get with no real parameters.

Ask yourself this: "Do i find myself being limited on the wide side (18mm) by what i can get in the picture, do i want to be able to be closer while still capturing the whole person?"

If the answer is yes, buy the roki. it is a kick ass lens.

If the answer is no, think about what your style, if you tend to be fine without being super close, then maybe you should drop some cash on a tele and a decent video tripod.


Thats just my two cents. take it or leave it.

EDolloStoneJust want to point out that "what" you are shooting doesnt mean shit for what you are using the lens for.

It may play a small factor but style is WAY more important.


I dont give two shits if you are shooting skiing. I would argue that a tele lens is just as important as a wide angle if you are filming skiing.

What it depends on is your SHOOTING STYLE.

I personally shoot ski edits like older skate movies, WIDE as hell ( i have a roki 8mm), and WAYY too close to the action. That is how I, shoot.

You may be someone who doesnt shoot like that. What you need to do is think about if it is worth it for you.

It is a good chunk of glass, but there are tele's that are good chunks of glass for the same price.

If you want the wide feel, nothing beats 8mm on a crop sensor. But if you want to know if it will "upgrade" your films(or photos) nobody can tell you that except yourself man.

Sorry for the negative response, but i am soooo tired of people asking NS about what type of lens they should get with no real parameters.

Ask yourself this: "Do i find myself being limited on the wide side (18mm) by what i can get in the picture, do i want to be able to be closer while still capturing the whole person?"

If the answer is yes, buy the roki. it is a kick ass lens.

If the answer is no, think about what your style, if you tend to be fine without being super close, then maybe you should drop some cash on a tele and a decent video tripod.


Thats just my two cents. take it or leave it.

Thanks man

It is a good lens to have at a pretty reasonable price. You are gonna want to keep the kit lens because there is no way you will want to shoot everything through a fisheye, but it is a good lens to have. Good for action shots, better glass than the kit forsure

I have both of these lenses (on a 7D2) and I'd say go with the 18-55. The Rokinon can only be used in a handful of situations and edit types. The 18-55 is much more versatile in every way possible (and it has IS on Canon, I don't know about Nikon).