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Rokinon 50mm f/1.2? (Or manual focus / Rokinons in general)

Started May 13, 2017 | Discussions thread
OP (unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 2,153
Re: A middle ground

I'll do a write-up soon, I have some samples in my private gallery I'll make public hopefully soon. Busy day here, but it's coming.

I love it btw, to answer your question. Was tempted to jump on the 50 f/1.4 USM since it's on sale again, I'll be passing, probably. Give me a couple days to let the new lens aurora wear off. There are surprising benefits to using MF over AF though, as I said, to my surprise.

It (the Rokinon) has more creamy bokeh than the 50 f/1.4, from my observations thus far, and is relatively sharp wide open, which you can't say about either the 50mm f/1.8 STM (or II) or 50mm f/1.4 USM, both need to be stopped down a full stop to be reasonably sharp, but more importantly, pickup contrast. The 50 f/1.2L on the other hand, is relatively sharp wide open, for what it is but on the other hand has excellent contrast wide open, hence it's an L. The Rokinon is the same, relatively sharp wide open, so it's not just 1/3 stop faster, it's more usable wide open whereas f/1.4 is emergency mode on the 50mm f/1.4 as is f/1.8 emergency mode on the 50mm f/1.8, any of em.

I think I need a flash though. Having a fast prime really exasperates that the photo would be more awesome if I had a bounce flash, which the M5 lacks (M6 has it though, but I don't own an M6, and it's bounce flash is weak anyhow). I've always loaned flash units, but the 270EX II, is nice for the size / punch with some eneloops in it. Next time it drops to $79 refurb again I'll snap it up.

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