Rokinon 12mm F2.0 on the X-T1

[oldfashioned1536]

What are the thoughts on the Rokinon 12mm Vs. the Fuji 10–24 in terms of image quality? I understand that with the Rokinon you get a fixed focal length and no auto focus. I have the Fuji 18–135 and three M42 mount lenses: 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and 70-210mm f4–5.6. I think all I am missing is an ultra wide. I don't have the budget to drop $800 on the Fuji 10–24. If the Fuji is really worth the price, should I wait till I find a good deal on eBay?

 

Thanks all.

[erwiurewurwehu]

I have both and I think the 10-24 has less distortion and is a better lens for normal light. The Rokinon is great at astrophotography and low light. But it's very close. I don't think the 10-24 is worth $600 more. The Roinon is also very light and small.

 

I should add that I am not an expert at lens testing. 

[Antony]

I have both and I'm very impressed with the Rokinon. I do need the flexibility of the zoom for some purposes, but the 12mm sees a lot more use in my kit. Fantastic for dance floor shots at wedding receptions!

[PatrickB]

What flash do you use in co-op with that? I'm switching from Nikon to Fuji and for Nikon I always used my SB-910 on TTL-BL or 1/32-64ish in M but I'm a bit lost in Fuji-land haha.

[kim]

I use the Samyang/Rokinon 8mm fisheye, it's really super wide and very sharp just get it at ~1m focus and shoot no need for AF there. Plus you can use fisheye-hemi to straighten the vertical lines out to remove the fisheye effect.

[Antony]

What flash do you use in co-op with that? I'm switching from Nikon to Fuji and for Nikon I always used my SB-910 on TTL-BL or 1/32-64ish in M but I'm a bit lost in Fuji-land haha.

I use the Nissin I40 on the dance floor for direct flash at 1 stop under, and I use a half strength CTO gel to match colour balance.

[oldfashioned1536]

Can anyone share sample photos?

[Antony]

Google is your friend: http://petapixel.com/2014/06/04/review-rokinon-12mm-f2-0-great-option-astrophotogs-budget/

[Max_Elmar]

The Rokinon is the value king, and a very different animal than the 10-24. Ultra-wide zooms are very handy - it's hard enough to make a good composition with an ultra-wide view - the zoom feature helps a lot. But I like small, fast primes on my Fuji.