After refining a pair of trusted primes, Rokinon has just announced its Series II lenses, and the 14mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses are the first examples. These familiar focal lengths have been in Rokinon’s stable of lenses in various iterations over the years, but the updated versions today revolve around streamlined exterior designs and improved optics. Both lenses have manual focus designs, are weather-sealed, and both are available for Canon EF-M, FUJIFILM X, Micro Four Thirds, or Sony E mirrorless mounts, or Canon EF or Nikon F SLR mounts.
At the wide end of the announcement there is the 14mm f/2.8 Series II, for mirrorless or SLR, which is an ideal choice for astrophotography, interior, architecture, and landscape photography due to its immensely wide and immersive field of view. The bright f/2.8 design also enhances working in available light and, especially for astro shooting, the lens incorporates a focus lock ring to prevent accidental changing of the focus position. The lens features a complex optical design, too, that comprises several aspherical, high-refractive-index, and low dispersion elements, which reduce aberrations and distortion for greater clarity, sharpness, and color accuracy. An Ultra Multi-Coating is featured, too, which suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast in bright conditions. Additionally, this ultra-wide also features a built-in lens hood and has a de-click switch to either “click” or “de-click” the aperture ring, depending on your shooting needs.
Complementing the 14mm is the longer and faster 85mm f/1.4 Series II lens, for mirrorless or SLR, which is a classic portrait focal length with a refined design. The optical layout incorporates a hybrid aspherical element that reduces distortion and spherical aberrations to produce images with high sharpness and accurate spatial rendering, and an Ultra Multi-Coating has been applied to individual elements to control flare and ghosting in strong lighting conditions. This lens also features a rounded nine-blade diaphragm, which contributes to smooth and pleasing bokeh.
What are your thoughts on Rokinon’s Series II updates? Are you in the market for manual focus lenses? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section, below.
