Samyang / Rokinon 12mm F2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye

Nikon F (DX/FX)

Review

Samyang, also known as Rokinon in some markets, has carved out a niche for itself in the world of budget-friendly, high-performance lenses. The Samyang / Rokinon 12mm F2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye for Nikon F (DX) mounts is an intriguing offering for anyone delving into creative photography or videography. With a wide-angle perspective that results in a distinctive fisheye distortion, this lens can add a fun and dynamic edge to your shots.

Build Quality

The build quality of the Samyang 12mm F2.8 is solid for its price point. It features a robust metal mount and a well-constructed body, giving it a sense of durability. The lens has a slightly weighty feel, which may concern some users looking for portability, but this extra weight often translates to a more solid feel in handling.

The focus ring is smooth and has just the right amount of resistance, allowing for precise adjustments when shooting at a wide aperture of F2.8. However, it is a manual focus lens, which may require some getting used to, especially for those accustomed to autofocus systems. The wide aperture does allow for impressive low-light performance, though focusing manually can be a challenge in dim conditions.

Optical Performance

Optically, the Samyang / Rokinon 12mm F2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye delivers impressive results. The lens features high-quality glass with special coatings that help reduce flare and ghosting, enhancing clarity and color fidelity across the image. The 180-degree field of view provides a dramatic perspective that is ideal for creative compositions, particularly in landscape or architecture photography.

This lens shows good sharpness from the center to the edges, with a slight softening noticeable at the extreme corners. Distortion, as expected from a fisheye lens, is inherent but can be creatively utilized rather than always regarded as a flaw. On the other hand, chromatic aberration can be noticeable, particularly in high-contrast scenes. However, it can often be corrected in post-processing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Solid build quality, providing durability.
• Wide-angle perspective with a 180-degree field of view.
• Impressive low-light performance thanks to the F2.8 aperture.
• Good sharpness and color accuracy, particularly in the center.

Cons

• Manual focus might be challenging for some users.
• Some softening at the extreme corners of the frame.
• Noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes.

Verdict

The Samyang / Rokinon 12mm F2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye for Nikon F (DX) mount is an excellent lens for photographers looking to explore a creative and unique perspective in their work. Its solid build quality and impressive optical performance make it a compelling choice for those who are not deterred by the manual focus requirement. Although there are minor drawbacks, like soft corners and aberration, the overall value and artistic potential of this lens are hard to overlook. If you’re willing to embrace the quirks of fisheye photography, this lens is sure to add a new dimension to your portfolio.