Rokinon/Samyang 85mm f1.4 for Samsung nx300

Hello everyone,

I originally posted this in the beginners thread, but found the Samsung thread.  I wasn't sure how to move the original one here so I have created a new one.

I've lurked these forums here and there as I researched cameras and lenses and decided to join the great community. I'm new to photography and I recently purchased the Samsung NX300 with 20-50mm kit lens along with a 30mm Pancake lens. My original choice was the Olympus PEN E-P5, but I didn't want to spend that much since I'm still a beginner. I'm still trying to figure out what type of photographer I prefer, but for now, I really enjoy portrait and landscape photography (cities/street art)

I would like to purchase the Samsung 85mm, but it is a bit pricey and I was looking for alternatives. I was looking for an expert who has experience using the Rokinon/Samyang 85mm F1.4 lens. I have very little experience with manual focus and wanted to make sure I'm making the right decision if I was to purchase this lens.

Questions.

1. Can you manual focus on off center objects, move the camera, and the off center subject still be in focus? Right now, with AF, I'm able to tap on the LCD screen on where I want focus to be so no matter where I move the camera, that area will be choice of focus.
2. Is it hard to manual focus without an EVF? The Samsung nx300 is lacking an EVF and when I play with the manual focus it shows a zooming effect on the LCD to show what I'm focusing on. Will this zooming effect also show with the Rokinon/Samyang?
3. I didn't realize the nx500 was available until after I purchased the nx300, it doesn't seem to be a huge upgrade outside of 4k video recording. Would getting the nx500 be more beneficial?
4. What other lenses, besides Samsung lenses, work with my camera? If I use an adapater with off brand lenses, will I lose any mechanical function?

Thanks in advance,

Justin

I recently bought a manual lens (not rokinon) for NX300, may be able to help.

1) generally yes, you can focus and move away. As long as you try to rotate the camera rather than move, the subject should stay at the same distance from the sensor Alternatively, what I did was to turn the focus assistance zoom off. That way you see the whole scene. You still get focus peaking, so you can easily see what's in focus.

2) yes, but you need to press OK key to activate focus zoom and focus peaking.

4) I got an old lens from the 80s and it works with an adapter. Many cheap adapters are crap and need to be modified to trigger the small internal button so that the camera knows that the lens is attached. Other than that there are no problems. Aperture and focus are adjusted on the lens, everything else on the camera.

I bought this lens, but used it really few times since a couple of months later I bought the samsung nx 85mm. It's optically very good, but focusing was not easy w/o focus peaking (I had the nx200 back then). I never used it since.

Ps. I don't mean to get ot, but I could even think about seling it. If you are in europe and interested, drop me a line. It's in mint conditions.

bancika wrote:

I recently bought a manual lens (not rokinon) for NX300, may be able to help.

Good insight, I need to play around more with manual, but I'll try your suggestions.  I think the the rokinon doesn't have focus peaking, so I may need to rethink my strategy.

Samyang 85mm/1.4 is a nice and good lens and it works okay with NX cameras - but: lens is only working "by hand", you must select focus, aperture, NX selects necessary time.

I use Samyang 85mm with Canon mount + EOS-NX adapter.

tecnoworld wrote:

I bought this lens, but used it really few times since a couple of months later I bought the samsung nx 85mm. It's optically very good, but focusing was not easy w/o focus peaking (I had the nx200 back then). I never used it since.

Ps. I don't mean to get ot, but I could even think about seling it. If you are in europe and interested, drop me a line. It's in mint conditions.

If you were so far, I wouldn't mind working something out, but I'm in the United States (California).

Would you say that samsung 85mm is worth the extra cost for AF and focus peaking over the Rokinon? Is it like, hands down better to have? I'm considering getting one or the other, but was looking for more insight. You have all the experience i'm looking for since you own both.

I much prefer af lenses. But nx300 can do focus peaking also with manual lenses (pressing ok button).

Optically the samsung has less ca, and is probably sharper. Both are great.

price in Europe

Samsung 85/1.4 - € 570

Samyang 85/1.4 - € 240 - € 340

http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=samsung+85mm+NX&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asamsung+85mm+NX

tecnoworld wrote:

I much prefer af lenses. But nx300 can do focus peaking also with manual lenses (pressing ok button).

Optically the samsung has less ca, and is probably sharper. Both are great.

Good to know.  Thanks for the heads up.  I think I may lean more toward the Rokinon for now.

Martin Maier wrote:

price in Europe

Samsung 85/1.4 - € 570

Samyang 85/1.4 - € 240 - € 340

http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=samsung+85mm+NX&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asamsung+85mm+NX

Samyang is probably cheaper in U.S at $240.00

Samsung in the U.S is expensive at $790.00

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007261AZE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=144Q9YL5WTMXN&coliid=I20AOLWDS8G49Y

The NX300 can do focus peaking with any lens, for non NX lenses (e.g. Rokinon) you will need to press the ok button to activate the focus peaking and it turns back off after each shot.

Ah sorry, was going through the thread top to bottom, I see techno already told you about the focus peaking.

^_^, I do exactly the same, so then I can also use it on my 5D.

ttbek wrote:

The NX300 can do focus peaking with any lens, for non NX lenses (e.g. Rokinon) you will need to press the ok button to activate the focus peaking and it turns back off after each shot.

Good to know.  Thanks!

Here's an idea, buy an affordable adapter for any legacy system (konica ar, Canon fd, minolta md, pentax pk, whatever, around 10-15 usd) and fast fifty lens (generally around 50-58mm f/2 or faster, they go for around 10-50 usd) and try how it works for you.

Cheapest route is probably M42 adapter and helios 44m 58/2 or pentacon 135/2.8 or anything similar (it's hard to find a bad 50mm or 135mm lens).
They can be great fun to shoot, but can also be serious tools. Most of my paid work was done on such lenses (konica hexanon ones).

otto k wrote:

Here's an idea, buy an affordable adapter for any legacy system (konica ar, Canon fd, minolta md, pentax pk, whatever, around 10-15 usd) and fast fifty lens (generally around 50-58mm f/2 or faster, they go for around 10-50 usd) and try how it works for you.

Cheapest route is probably M42 adapter and helios 44m 58/2 or pentacon 135/2.8 or anything similar (it's hard to find a bad 50mm or 135mm lens).
They can be great fun to shoot, but can also be serious tools. Most of my paid work was done on such lenses (konica hexanon ones).

Good info...I'm looking into this now (google) as I'm still pretty new I haven't heard of minolt or konica.

Does the M42 adapter work with the nx300?  And do you know any websites in the U.S. where I can purchase these legacy lenses?

yes, it works. Lens I was referring to is M42 Porst 55mm f1.4, should be similar to other japanese 55's of that time. M42 is common mount, there's plenty of cheap stuff to find. Try to find the thread here on the forum, some adapters work fine, some need modification I mentioned before or they show "no lens" error when you try to shoot. Not a big deal to fix though.

bancika wrote:

yes, it works. Lens I was referring to is M42 Porst 55mm f1.4, should be similar to other japanese 55's of that time. M42 is common mount, there's plenty of cheap stuff to find. Try to find the thread here on the forum, some adapters work fine, some need modification I mentioned before or they show "no lens" error when you try to shoot. Not a big deal to fix though.

Wow...this is like a whole new world to me. I'm definitely going to need to take sometime to absorb all this.  The cheaper route is ideal for me so I can dabble while i learn instead of spending thousands on lenses.  So the primary difference from todays lenses and the old school lenses is lack of AF and OIS?  Other than that, the optics are just as good?

bancika wrote:

yes, it works. Lens I was referring to is M42 Porst 55mm f1.4, should be similar to other japanese 55's of that time. M42 is common mount, there's plenty of cheap stuff to find. Try to find the thread here on the forum, some adapters work fine, some need modification I mentioned before or they show "no lens" error when you try to shoot. Not a big deal to fix though.

Just noticed your name and I think I saw one of your forums posts from before. You posted images on your flickr from Venice with fish eye lens and more. Those were some awesome photos.

So back to the subject...I found this on amazon. Am I on the right track?

http://www.amazon.com/Fotasy-Adjustable-Samsung-Mirrorless-Adapter/dp/B003RS8GE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438115516&sr=8-1&keywords=m42+adapter+nx&pebp=1438115521383&perid=1H63F6JBDBB0J7YYHR20

yes, fotasy is one of the good adapters, it should work fine without modifications.

Here's a test shot with NX300 and the old 55mm f1.4, stopped down to f2 or something close. It's a bit soft wide open.

Porst 55mm f1.4 @ f2