Samyang / Rokinon Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS

Fujifilm X

Review

The Samyang / Rokinon Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS is a unique lens that caters specifically to the Fujifilm X mount users, offering a solid option for those interested in long-range photography. This lens features a mirror design, which contributes to its compact size compared to traditional telephoto lenses, making it an intriguing option for both enthusiasts and professionals.

Design and Build Quality

One of the main highlights of the Samyang Reflex 300mm is its compact design. For a 300mm lens, it is surprisingly lightweight and portable, which is a significant advantage for photographers who often travel or shoot in dynamic environments. The build quality is decent; the lens feels solid enough in hand without being overly heavy. Despite its budget-friendly price tag, it does not feel cheap, and the matte finish helps minimize glare during shooting.

The lens is equipped with a minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters, which allows for decent close-up shots, especially of wildlife or sports subjects. It's essential to note that due to the reflex design, the lens features a fixed aperture of F6.3, which may limit low-light performance but still offers adequate sharpness in bright conditions.

Optical Performance

When it comes to image quality, the Samyang Reflex 300mm does a commendable job. With its apochromatic design and multiple lens coatings (UMC), the lens minimizes chromatic aberrations and flares, producing images that are sharp and vibrant. The bokeh, characteristic of mirror lenses, is quite unique, offering a swirly background effect that can be artistically pleasing.

However, users should be aware that the lens is prone to some loss of contrast at wider apertures due to its mirror design. Additionally, since this is a catadioptric lens, there is a distinctive donut-shaped bokeh effect that some photographers may find unappealing, especially in portraits or scenes with complex backgrounds.

Autofocus and Usability

A significant aspect to highlight is that the Samyang Reflex is a manual focus lens. This aspect can be a double-edged sword; while manual focus allows for precision in focusing, it can also be challenging for quick-moving subjects typically encountered in wildlife or sports photography. The focus ring is smooth and provides a good tactile sensation, which enhances the overall usability for those accustomed to manual focusing.

Compatibility with Fujifilm's focus peaking feature assists in achieving accurate manual focus, making the lens easier to use despite its lack of autofocus.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design suitable for travel
• Excellent sharpness and color rendition
• Unique bokeh that can add character to images
• Generally good build quality for the price

Cons

• Fixed aperture at F6.3 which limits low-light capabilities
• Manual focus only, which may not be suitable for all users
• Unique bokeh may not appeal to everyone
• Some contrast loss at wider apertures

Verdict

Overall, the Samyang / Rokinon Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS offers an appealing option for Fujifilm X mount users who need a long telephoto lens without breaking the bank. Its compact design and decent optical performance make it a worthy addition to a photographer's toolkit, especially for shooting wildlife or distant subjects in good lighting conditions. However, the manual focus requirement and unique bokeh might not suit everyone’s tastes. If you can adapt to these characteristics, this lens presents an interesting prospect for creative photography.