Rokinon 300mm f/6.3 Reflex Reviews
Pleasantly Surprised
By Baron
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-27
I have a lot of experience with mirror/reflex lenses so I had low expectations, but I'm getting good shots with this. It's a lot more compact and lighter than most reflexes that are built for full-frame. Focus action is pleasant and smooth. There's very strong vignetting and image quality isn't as good at the edges, so this is definitely a character lens; it has quite the vintage rendering. But for going hiking, or even for pottering about getting photos with a warm, glowy rendering with some charm, it's actually great. If subjects are smallish like birds, it serves well to draw attention to the subject and turn the surroundings into a slightly dreamy background.
Decent Cheap Mirror Lens with Flaws
By Dan
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-05-25
Inexpensive, I'd not used a mirror lens since my film days with an OM-1. Sheltered in place in Honolulu with only my Nikon D750 and one lens, I ordered this to reconnect to my youth where everything was manual. The reflex 300mm f/6.3 is certainly that. A major challenge is focus. While the focus indicator does light up, the image is NOT in focus. Zoomed in on live-view it is possible to achieve focus, but the focus indicator will not be lit. The attached photos detail the difference. Each were shot on a tripod: 1/250 sec, ISO 50, mirror up, wired remote shutter release. The images are Lightroom edited with settings exactly the same for each picture. A bit of vignetting is also noted, but that is easily fixed in Lightroom if needed.
A fun lens for experimental photography
By Christopher
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-01-24
If you're looking for a pro lens to snap sharp images of moving subjects from a distance, don't bother with this.
If you are curious about the characteristics of catadioptric lenses, want to experiment with crazy telephoto compression and interesting bokeh, it is more than worth the money.
Personally I think the bokeh produced by this lens is really interesting.
It is possible to shoot fast moving subjects at a distance as evidenced by the bird photo, but you'll need good light and a steady hand. High ISO, image stabilization in-camera (such as in Olympus OM-D cameras) and focus peaking are key.
The photos attached to this review were all taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera without the use of a tripod, so hand-held shooting is definitely possible with this lens especially with good lighting.
Great For Astrophotography
By Frank
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-10-23
I use this mirror lens specifically for astrophotography for use on a SkyTracker Pro mount. Reason is this lens is very light and I don't need to counter balance it. However, the only way to get perfect critical focus for astrophotography (and you can with this lens) is to use a SharpStar2 by Lonely Speck (Bahtinov Mask). This lens is well made and seems to be rock-solid. I use a SharpStar2 by Lonely Speck with all my lenses for astro work, regardless of focal length. Takes the guesswork out of getting perfect focus. Again - this 300mm Rokinon mirror lens is great for astro.
Tough lens to use
By Anthony
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2018-06-29
Although the final result, when you eventually achieve it, is well worth the money, the number of shots needed makes it very hard work.
If you really need a light 300 mm walk around lens and have very steady hands then it may be for you, but I certainly would have liked a tripod with me.
Catadioptric lens for Nikon F mount
By BC
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2017-10-09
Excellent lens, but very difficult to focus in the range near infinity which is my intention for using it. astro
Great lens, if you know what you're buying
By Thomas
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-19
This is a mirror lens, so it will not be contrasty. IF it was film days, this would be terrible, but contrast is super easy to add in post.
It's sharp and the focus is well dampened. It could have a long throw, but it still works. On my Panasonic G9 the IBIS works well enough that I can hand hold it, but it really shines on a tripod.
It's is so light, that you don't mind carrying it on birding hikes.
This lens is the best value you will find for a long lens.
A 300mm for $300 is Pretty Good
By Edward R
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-18
This lens is an excellent buy. Of course, if you have the money, a FujiFilm prime or zoom will be much easier to use and produce a sharper image. It has a fixed aperture at 6.3. You must use it on a tripod. Most difficult is a good focus. Maybe it's my eyesight but I shoot 3-5 shots of a subject, checking focus each time. That way I am assured of at least one good shot. I also use delayed shutter release to avoid me shaking the tripod. The bird photo was shot at ISO 800, f 6.3, 1/90sec. Fujifilm XT-2. First photo is the raw photo, second was worked on in Lightroom. I am very happy to have it in my camera bag.
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