Samyang 14mm Vs Sigma 12-24mm II

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Hi all,

I'm confused as to which wide angle lens to go for between Samyang 14mm & Sigma 12-24mm II.

I have read reviews and both are good & provide sharp quality.

However I would like to hear an astronomical point of view on the use of these lenses and their performance.

Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

What camera will you use it on?

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

5d mark 3

[acropolite (Phil)]

FWIW I tried the Sigma 12-24 on my 5DII and found it disappointing. After trying 2 copies, I then ordered a Canon 16-35 which to my surprise I found to be only on par with the Sigma, my assumption is that there may be something not quite right alignment wise with my 5DII with either or both of these lenses and that the Sigma is very close to the Canon in performance. On my 5DII at least the edges were quite soft over the last 20% of the frame.

If you can try out a copy to try it would be well worth testing the Siggy 12-24.

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

thanks for your view Phil. Was it version 2 of the sigma lens or the version 1.

[acropolite (Phil)]

It was the version 2, any dfferences beween the Siggy and Canon were small, lens flare was an issue shooting directly in to the sun with the Siggy, the Canon may be no better though as I've noted some flare shooting in to the full moon with the 16-35.

If money was no object I'd be tempted to buy the Nikon 14-24, and an appropriate adapter, Luis (IIS member luigi) is using one on his 5DII. The Nikon 14-24 is rated as one if the best wide angle lenses available, better than either of Nikon or Canon's primes.

Mike has been getting some nice results with the Samyang on FF, I haven't used one but Mike may like to comment on his experience with the Samyang.

[iceman (Mike)]

Oh yeh the Samyang is great. I haven't used the Sigma so can't really comment on it.

Is it a fisheye?

12mm on a full-frame is a super wide FOV.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

I'm in Brisbane and have the Samyang 14mm if you'd like to try it out.

[redomatic (Michael)]

The Sigma 12-24 is only f4.5 to f5.6?? Too slow for astrophotography.

I have the Nikon 16-35 f4 VR and it's a great lens for general work (probably better than the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 because it can use filters easially) but again it's too slow for astrophotography.

Mikes number 1 rule (or 2 or 3 or 4, I can't remember) fast lens - F2.8 or better (at least until we can crank our iso up to 512000 with no noise)

I chose the Nikon 16-35 f4 for general use and the Samyang 14 f2.8 for astrophotography. Both cost me less than the Nikon 14-28 f2.8!! - Depends how dedicated you are and how much money you have. I'm nearly sure the Nikon 14-28 f2.8 would be superb, and would love to try it if you get one !!!

I am happy with the Samyang, but it's harder to use for general photography - although not by much (manual focus and aperture isn't that bad!!)

Redomatic.

[gregbradley]

There aren't a lot of lens choices in this band for full frame. The Nikon 14-24 is probably the king. The Zeiss 15mm F2.8 is probably a tad better but not a zoom and no autofocus (no AF on a 5D3 either with a Nikon 14-24).

I got a Novoflex adapter for Nikon lenses on a Canon body. It is very well made, has aperture control and there is a chipped version for metering data.

The Samyang 14mm I have never used but I have 2 Samyang lenses. They are very good. Although I would thoroughly test the performance of a Samyang lens within the return policy period. My first 24mm F1.4 was decentred and had to be replaced. The 2nd copy is great.

Canon is working on a 14-24. No doubt to fill this gap in their lens lineup. When it comes out I am sure it will be a fabulous lens. It has to be, as the Nikon is close to perfect. I also expect it to be very expensive.

I have seen comparison images and corner performance between Zeiss 15mm and the Nikon 14-24. The Zeiss is better in the corners wide open but stopped down a bit the Nikon and Zeiss are the same or the Nikon slightly better.

The Nikon also outperforms a Zeiss 21mm F2.8 overall as well. No CA, sharp to the corners and a zoom (I tend to only use it at 14mm anyway).

So not a lot of choice in this focal length at the moment.

In a way nightscape images require different performance criteria than lense are usually judged by.

You want F2.8 (lenses under that I have not found to be usable before F2.8 anyway - Samyang 24mm F1.4 excepted - F2 is fine). You want aroud 14mm. You want no chromatic aberration. You want no coma in the corners. That's a tough call to be sharp wide open, no CA, no coma. That's one hell of a lens that can do all that.

Another choice is the Tokina 16-28mm F2.8. I don't know much about this lens but it may be worth considering.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2010/02/22/tokina16282pt8


Greg.

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Apologies everyone for not replying to your comments earlier. Its been quite hectic at work.

@mike - no its not a fisheye but yes its supposed to be very sharp at 12mm. I have also read somewhere that with the samyang, shutter control is a bit different and manual mode doesn't work. I wish I had bookmarked that link. Can you please explin its operation in astrophotgraphy and also in post processing. That same link mentioned about a lens profile that needs to be added in LR or PS for proper post-procesing. Is any of it true ?

@troy - Thank you for the offer. Where about in brisbane are you located ? Kindly PM me.

@michael/greg - nikon or canon wide angle lenses are pretty costly and for me astrophotography is a hobby so I can't justify spending $ 1500+ on those lenses. Thats why more inclined to Samyang or Sigma. Infact samyang is half the price of sigma.


From all your comments it seems like Samyang is a winner esp with f2.8. However i'll wait for Mike to reply back on the details of it.

I currently use Canon Ef 24-105mm f/4L lens at 24mm for all wide shots and I get 20secs shutter without any trails.

[iceman (Mike)]

The Samyang is manual control - manual f/stop setting and manual focus. For astrophotography/nightscapes that's absolutely no problem. In most cases it lives on f/2.8 anyway

For post-processing, you need to get a lens profile to match your camera (5d mk2 + samyang 14mm), as by default, the Samyang has some 'moustache distortion'. Once you apply the lens profile, it evens it out nicely and gets rid of some vignetting in the corners too.

Easy to do though - it's just a bulk action you can apply once you've imported your photos. I do it in Lightroom.

After that, treat it like any other photo.

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Thanks mike.

Can you provide a link to the profile compatible with LR and would this work for 5Dm3 ?

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by callingrohit

Thanks mike.

Can you provide a link to the profile compatible with LR and would this work for 5Dm3 ?

Yes the Samyang is the obvious choice here. $359 on Ebay. That's way under anyone else and to make such a nice lens for that price its unbeatable.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ODS-Samya...item53f86f6781

Sigma is around $750 and the Tokina 16-28 F2.8 is around $815.

Samyang are really becoming a force in the lens world. They have a nice range of fisheye 8mm F2.8 lenses as well.

Greg.

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Thanks Greg.

I guess i'm gonna jump in and grab the Samyang.

Hopefully the current lens profile for 5dm2 will work on 5dm3 as well.

Thanks all.

[CometGuy]

I had the 12-24 for a while, it's a bit slow for astrophotography but gets the job done in a pinch. This one is at 15mm f4.5 with a Canon 350D.

Terry

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Thanks for the input Terry. Do you now use the samyang ?

How is the focus on sigma at 12mm ? The only reason I'm more inclined to sigma is for the 12mm.

[CometGuy]

No don't use the Samyang, might get it in the future. I found I didn't use the 12mm/14mm focal lengths that much, but that's just me!

[gregbradley]

Another possible choice is the Pentax DA 14mm F2.8ED.

Fuji 14mm F2.8 and Zeiss Touit 12mm F2.8 would be great but not sure if they will work on a DSLR. I suspect not.

Greg.

[callingrohit (Vivek)]

Thanks to Troy's generous offer of lending me the Samyang 14mm for testing - i'm all in for the Samyang now.

Attached is a quick test image which I'm happy with and quite surprising from the lens.

Will be placing my order this week.

Thanks all for your expert opinions.