Wide Angle Lens - opinions please

I have (and very much like) the Rokinon 12/2, and I agree with you that “infinity (or whatever) and f/8 (or whatever) *is not good practice*. I always use the max magnified focus (usually without any peaking). Sometimes it is just a tiny nudge (there’s not a lot of focus throw), but it really does matter. This is of course even more important with longer manual focus lenses like the stellar Rokinon 135/2, but it still improves images even at 12 mm and f/8.

I focus on my main subject at f/2 in the magnified view, and then stop down to my target aperture and look around the scene — still in magnified view — to make sure I’ve got the components of the scene I want in acceptable focus. Then I pop back out of magnified view and finalize framing and exposure (using exposure compensation, usually with auto ISO).

If I don’t need the very wide view (and I haven’t shot astro much), then the 16/1.4 is sharper (especially at the edges), renders highlights and sun stars better, and is easier to use. The 16/1.4 is of course much bigger and more expensive (and significantly narrower in field of view).

The Rokinon 8/2.8, 12/2, and 135/2 are very good to excellent optically (in my opinion, the 135 is best, followed by the 8 and then the 12, but the 8 mm fisheye is not as useful as the 12 for me) — and they are *incredible* bargains.

Too bad Fujifilm don’t offer any primes that compete with these lenses.

I'll be honest the point you've made about the 16 is exactly my dilemma.. such a great lens. I have planned to spend that much (was going for the 16-55 but have changed my mind..).

I just wonder if I will get more use out of the 16 - I do a lot of close ups, and most of my kids shots are pretty close too so if that is wide enough for a good landscape and new-level astro then I might get a lot more use out of it vs the 12mm options.

But.. I don't know if it is wide enough?

Baring in mind I am still learning key for me is keeping things simple!