Wide Angles at Every Budget - Sigma 14mm ART, Irix 15mm Blackstone and Samyang 14mm f/2.8
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
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Sigma 14mm ART(and the other lenses) RAW images: photorec.tv/WideAngles
Buy the IRIX 15mm Lens: bhpho.to/2yqlInm
Buy the SIgma 14mm Lens: bhpho.to/2wyxdMf
Buy the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm Lens: bhpho.to/2ypSgxy
Wide Angle lens recommendations for Crop (APS-C and Micro 4/3rds) photorec.tv/2016/03/rokinon-14...
NOTE - ROKINON AND SAMYANG ARE THE SAME
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The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 is the world's first lens that is this wide 14mm and this fast f1.8. It costs $1600, is heavy at 2.5lbs, and has a bulbous front element with a fixed lens hood making it costly to use filters, though Sigma has just announced they will install a rear filter holder for thin gel filters BUt it is sharp virtually distortion free and an absolute blast to shoot the stars with. If you are serious about photographing the stars you are aware some lenses have issues with coma - this is where the stars near the edges and corners of some lenses get little wings. Wide open at f/1.8 I did see some coma on brighter stars but not enough to concern me and overall I am VERY happy with this lens. It is autofocus which doesn’t really matter for astrophotography, but having autofocus, which I found to be fast and accurate, does make this a much more versatile lens during the daytime than either the IRIX or the Rokinon. The Sigma exhibits some vignetting wide open but that quickly disappears as you stop down. Optically this is as fine a lens as you can put on your camera. Period.
The Irix Blackstone offers 15mm at f/2.4, priced at $600 and weighs just 1.5lbs this is actually the better build quality version of the IRIX firefly a $400 lens, Optically the two are identical and differ only in build quality with the firefly having a plastic exterior weighing just 1.3lbs The Blackstone features aluminum and magnesium alloy. Both are weather sealed, offer a click stop at infinity focus that I found to be dead on accurate and a focus lock AND you can use standard, filters with 95mm threads. The hood also provides a little door for manipulating circular polarizers and is removable. I was impressed - this lens is sharp, also distortion free and at f/2.4 is a 1/2 stop faster than the Rokinon. That coupled with the additional features I mentioned make this lens and the cheaper firefly an excellent value replacing the Rokinon as my budget pick - The rokinon at $340 is cheaper than the firefly but doesn’t allow screw on filters, no focus lock and a focus ring that feels less precise and lots more distortion and not as sharp. The distortion doesn’t really matter when shooting the stars or the milky way but for other uses it does matter. The Rokinon also has no electronic contacts- aperture control is on the lens and the metadata in Lightroom is lacking. The Irix lenses do provide aperture control through the camera and register properly the lens and the aperture. In testing I shot with all these lenses mounted on a Canon 6D Mark II or the 5D Mark IV and a Sony a7RII using the Sigma MC-11 adapter - I saw no issues with any of the lenses on the Sony with the adapter and the Sigma AF worked well.
I have full raw images from each of these lenses for you to inspect link for those is below this video. In summary The Sigma is an excellent and versatile lens if you don’t mind paying. The Irix Blackstone or Firefly are great values and the firefly is now my pick for budget wide angle work at night or during the day and the Rokinon, well it is still a decent lens, I just think it is worth it to pay a little more for the Firefly. And don’t forget about the Venus 12mm f/2.8 - I reviewed that lens in Alaska last year - a good choice if you want to go even wider that review is linked below.
Sigma 14mm ART(and the other lenses) RAW images: photorec.tv/WideAngles
Buy the IRIX 15mm Lens: bhpho.to/2yqlInm
Buy the SIgma 14mm Lens: bhpho.to/2wyxdMf
Buy the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm Lens: bhpho.to/2ypSgxy
You missed the link to the Venus Optics thing you mentioned (its not in the notes either).
Wish the price was still $600 !
Irix is great for 1 year max before falling apart. Talking from experience. I look after my lenses but this one, the seal will come loose first followed by the bolts. Shame really. A great lens otherwise
Great review, very informative... Plus, very nice to leave the raw files for inspection!
Great stuff! Definitely tempted by the firefly!
I love the simple and good explanations you made :)
thanks for the review, never heard of the Irix, very interesting to learn this brand..
Thank you so much for brining in the lens from Irix. Never heard of it before. Seems to be a very good choice for having quality for a reasonable price. Instant Like and subcription
Thanks for providing the raw files :)
your the man, thanks for the video
Great video- info comes smooth and you seem like a cool dude!
Just a general comment. It took me a long time to subscribe and stay subscribed here. I really enjoy the improvement (in my opinion) in content and presentation over the last year.
Hello, sir! A big THANK to you for your excellent review of this unique lens from Sigma! Needed your review before purchasing this lens! Wishing you all the very Best! Best Regards from Sweden
I love my 12mm Prime Rokinon f2 lens. Although it is for crop Mirrorless Camera's I use it on my Sony E-mount and love it!!!
Thanks for the comparison. I think, the IRIX will make it 😉: manual focus, accurately look on infinity. That’s something what I don’t understand: non of the modern DSLRs have a Split Screen Indicator like my good old Nikon FM2n - a 5 Cents part on the mirror, making manual focusing so much easier, also at worst light conditions...
Even the brightest ultra wide lenses have easy manual focus. Their depth of field is inherently very deep. That is very useful especially with mirrorless cameras who have focus peaking and focus magnification.
Autofocus is always great but many times it increases the price tremendously. Manual focus lenses avoid the cost of autofocus and offer better quality at the same price.
In the case of f/8 aperture after a few meters everything is in focus. That is great with landscape photography
You`re amazing - you read my mind. Fantastic.
Glad you found it helpful!
Irix ftw ... Firefly hopefully might make it to my kit
Thanks for ur video n pictures
Have you ever reviewed the older sigma 14mm 2.8 EX? Would very much like to see how it fares in this comparison.
I have the 10mm rokinon and it has aperture control
Thanks for your videos.
Been enjoying them for a couple of years.
The Irix does look a better alternative for astro than the Samyang/Rokinon.
However, a couple of the reviews that I've seen show some serious lens flare issues when shooting towards the sun.
That was a deal-breaker for me as I shoot seascapes around sunrise.
Did you notice that at all?
Informative video, thank you. Thumbs up...
Thanks!!
Partly based on this review I bought the Irix 15/2.4 Firefly 1 year ago. Amazing lens, this focal length has lived on my camera, so much so that I am upgrading to the Sigma 14/1.8 Art for the faster aperture, AF ability and reduced vignetting. Having the 95mm filters on the Irix is VERY helpful, but I'm ready to sacrifice convenience for performance. Cheers!
Glad it worked so well for you. That sigma is sooo freaking fast and sharp! enjoy!
@@photorectoby Thanks. I've never owned Sigma glass, and a bit worried about the "poor quality" rumblings you hear from some people, but I'm buying new in Canada with a 7 year manufacturer warranty, I don't think I can go wrong!
Trevor, did you eventually upgrade to the Sigma?
Rokinon / Samyang also has an AE version of the lens, available only for Nikon and Canon. In that case the lens actually does communicate with the body, allowing aperture control
Good Point! They also offer a $1,000 pro version at 14mm and f/2.4 I have trouble imagining the quality is that much better over the Irix though.
Irix for me! Weight should be gimbal friendly for my a7mk3 :)
Great, I will get the Irix
I think I'm not ok with the coma on either the Irix or the Sigma when wide open, I would like to see what happens when you stop them down. I use a Tamron 15-30 which has very low coma, I just wish it were either lighter or a wider aperture/better transmission. Still my favorite lens.
Irix its very good!!!
Great video 👏
Website no longer linking RAW images. Great review.
great review, I have the samyang lens and I'm pretty happy with the overall behavior, except for starburst, did you make some fotos with the irix lens including some starburst?
Great video. Perhaps you could show these three in street, architecture, and portrait.
There are additional sample images linked below the video. no portraits though, I just don't love that with an ultra wide angle lens.
Just had a look at the RAW images of the nightskies. It is a bit difficult to judge, because at 20s exposure without tracking, there is clear star trailing visible. But it looks like the Irix at 2.4 has much better star shapes towards the corners than the Sigma at 1.8. The Irix shows some typical coma in the far corners, like most lenses do, but the Sigma shows quite a bit of ugly astigmatism in the corners. Is that also your experience? Sigma wins on vignetting, but that can be corrected. Would you agree that the Irix is the better astro lens? Or since the review in 2017, perhaps there are better lenses out?
B&H currently has a used firefly for $279 US. That's a definite choice over the rokinon for someone on a budget
Looking at the math, the Sigma looks like you should be able to use it with the M43 system, if a Speedbooster is used to open it up. Have you tried that?
Thanks for the great video. I'm considering the Irix 15mm lens for a Sony body, and wonder if you can give more information on how the focus confirmation works on a Sony body using the MC-11 adapter. Can you select focus points using the camera's or are you limited to the central focus points, etc? Rumors have been out for a while that Irix is going to release their own adapter, or even a Sony E-Mount version of the lens. It's s rumor, so who knows if they're true or when either might actually happen? Any help you can give on using this lens on the a7RII you mentioned int he review would be greatly appreciated!
I have the IRIX Firefly 15mm. I am very happy with it, its build quality (although it is the cheaper plastic version) is quite great. It feels really muscular. The image quality is also very nice.
I am using it on a Canon APSC camera but I am planning on upgrading to full, but not Canon. I want Sony.
Will any electronic adapter work in order to mount the IRIX on the Sony camera?
Thanks
I have a Sony a7III. Would you recommend the Irix 15mm Firefly with Mc-11 adapter over the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm native e-mount? Also what is the relative focal length of the irix 15mm when using the adapter? Thank you
Does the
I just tested the Tokina 11-20mm F 2,8 and it came up with a lot of Coma. I did use it at 2,0 aperture.
What about the rokinon 16mm f2? It’s only 2mm tighter and a whole stop more light than the 2.8
Hi Sir! Nice video! Im confused and i cant choose between 10mm f 2.8(crop version) and 14mm f2.8(full frame version). Which one is better for my crop camera(d5500)? Im afraid that 14mm will be better overall because it is for full frame and i dont know if i have to sacrifice some mm to get the 14mm or the 10mm will be perform the same. Please help me!
I would like to see a review of the Yongnuo 14mm f 2.8 autofocus lens and how the af performs with mc11 on Sony a7 III.
Thanks and merry Christmas...
Any word on why some lenses have issues with corner sharpness when using an adapter and some don't even though the focal lenghts are similar? Like the 16-35 Canon and I've heard also the 20mm Art on Sony is very soft in the corners but these lenses perform fine?
Fantastic comparison! You can't do everything, but I'd love to see a review of the Rokinon 14mm f/2.4 compared to the Irix 15mm f/2.4
Others have mentioned that lens. It would be nice to include it in a future review but at $1,000 it's significantly more and honestly the Irix seems as sharp as the Sigma and the Sigma seems really sharp - so what would make it worth paying for the Rokinon… I am not sure but I would like to see how it compares.
PhotoRec TV Thanks for your reply! I haven't had the opportunity to test the Sigma, but I've used the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 and Irix 15mm f/2.4 side by side and found a lot of purple chromatic aberration in the Irix, so I'm keeping my Rokinon. Since it's selling for $800 thanks to a rebate, the new f/2.4 from Rokinon could be a fantastic alternative to the Sigma at half the price.
Hi Toby. Big fan, long time follower. Just wanted to highlight that the RAW files linked above seemed to be corrupted. I downloaded fresh files multiple times and checked on two separate computers. Same issue. LR CC cannot generate preview except two astro shots (one from IRIX, and the other from Sigma, both with the giant cactus thingy in them). Just something to look into.
I have herd about focus issues with the irix on a Sony FE body. Did you come across anything like this?
thanks for the video :)
Can you also check Tamron 15-30 in that mix? I have used that for some events where AF + VC is sweeeeet. I do like irix for nature and straight edges :)
I have reviewed that lens along with other wide angle zooms. It is not my favorite ua-cam.com/video/XTGUuIzGyIg/v-deo.html
Hi Toby, what are your thoughts about the Samyang 16mm f.2 for astro and night photography?
I'm also asking that question.. wold love to hear your opinion...
thank's :)
Theres also the samyang xp 14mm 2.4 thats supposed to be top of the class. Might be a good alternative to firefly.
True but at $1,000 here in the USA it's a good bit more expensive and I find the IRIX to be as sharp as the Sigma sooo can the Samyang be that much sharper… I certainly hope to try it out at some point.
Wow, I didn't know the XP is so expensive! I did some digging, and Samyang wide open is actually sharper than IRIX is at its peak sharpness @ f5.6.
www.ephotozine.com/article/samyang-premium-mf-14mm-f-2-4-lens-review-30229#Performance
www.ephotozine.com/article/irix-15mm-f-2-4-lens-review-30126#Performance
Too bad they couldn't make it a f2.0. It would have been a true astro killer, along with their wonderful 135mm and 24mm.
BTW, big fan of your videos (and your photos too)! : )
I had that Samyang lens for Nikon before I switched to Sony. Absolutely loved it.
But yeah, it's pricey
Why does not Irix make a E-mount lens?
You guys are really lucky. The firefly is yet another example where European customers pay a premium. Converted it is $570 here. And the Blackstone $835 (at least Nikon version). This makes the difference to the Samyang much more significant. But I guess the Samyang doesn’t make much sense for me as I would be using it for indoor/landscapes/cityscape....
Thanks for the review
That is a bummer that the Europe premium is in full effect here :/ I do agree for interior work and landscapes you want something with AF.
PhotoRec TV I was thinking more about distortion. Your wall test looked like the Samyang should stay in the bag for anything with straight lines. Think I could deal with MF.
But thanks for your empathy
lol come to canada the firefly is 1000 and blackstone is almost 1700
Seriously? That's such a bummer!
Yah the Rokinon/Samyang is 360....so i mean for a first lens purchase for my a7ii i just got i think i may start there...is it better then my 28-70 kit lens?....I bought my a7ii used with 2300 shutters but i think he sold it because it has a bummed kit lens...it seems not sharp and cannot focus to infinity on auto focus...all my landscape shots are pretty much all mush no real focus.
Thanks for this. Do you have recc's for crop sensor cameras (such as my Canon 80D)? I see that below you like the Rokinon 12mm F-2--but that's for mirrorless, right? Any others? I have seen in other places online that the Rokinon 16mm 2.0 is well-rated for astrophotography (my main object in getting such a lens). Thanks.
Take a look at the Samy 10mm f/2.8 bhpho.to/2yrAudk
what adapter you have for irix 15mm? i have sony a6500 and want to bought irix 15mm f2.4 and speedbooster viltrox canon to sony. but I was confused for fear that it would not work completely. can u help answer pls?
Does irix have rf 15mm?
Laowa 15mm f2?
What about Rokinon 14mm 2.4 XP ?
the $1,000 14mm f/2.4 XP I have trouble imagining the quality is that much better over the Irix. The Irix and the Sigma are so very similar in quality, can this Rokinon be sharper? I doubt it but I should test.
What about the newer AF rokinon 14mm 2.8? Or their new 14mm MF 2.4 ?
The new 14mm f/2.4 is $1,000 and I can't see how it is better than the Irix, but I do hope to test it at some point in the future. Same with the new 14mm AF Rokinon.
0:31 how you get this stars' rotating effect?
You shoot a timelapse and then I use a program called StarStax to combine them into star trails - I record the program as it is creating the trails.
I had rented some Sigma lenses and after the initial "Wow, this is what every reviewer and commenter recommends online and WOW this does look pretty great" wore off and I had some time to reflect, something just didn't sit right with me about the images I would capture.
There was always this underlining feeling that, although extremely sharp, there was something missing, a certain artistic quality that I couldn't quite measure on a scale. I'm not saying that if you own a Sigma lens or that if you love them then you're wrong, what I will say is that as artists we have to be honest with ourselves and follow our gut feelings when making purchases. For me the Sigma Art line is too "clinical" looking for my personal taste and if you're like me I want to be one of the few people to share this feeling in a open forum.
Now as a reviewer, Toby is going to talk about sharpness and other mechanical attributes of lenses to help you make an informed decision , it only makes sense so I don't fault him in the least (I think he's one of the top reviews on UA-cam in my opinion and enjoy his channel immensely) but I will say that for my taste I much prefer something like a Voigtlander (which are actually cheaper than Sigma's in most cases) for an "art" lens.
Watch youtube reviews, read reviews, try and rent the products discussed when possible and follow your heart if something just feels "right". As most lenses manufactured these days are considerably "sharp", maybe now is the perfect time in history to start looking into what other attributes a lens can also give you (or not) since this is your artform.
Much love to all.
Yup.. you’re right. The art lens along with the Zeiss otus are clinical and very flat ... Voightlander and Zeiss classic are way, way, way better then this sharpness and perfection nonsense... Real art is about character, originality and feeling. But I guess if you want to look like any other Instagram photo you can seek sharpness over everything ...
Where would you love to shoot the stars and milky way?? Let me know!
La Palma, Spain
Would love to go back to the Grand Tetons and Yrllowstone to do some more night shooting
I'd especially love to catch the milky way with the Megellanic clouds in the frame, I think one of the Salars in South America would be amazing for this. Another good spot for milky way photography would be up on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa in Hawaii. For now I'll just stick to anywhere up north in Michigan or Canada near Lake Superior.
You have some nice dark skies in the upper peninsula, that's for sure! Out on the salt flats of Chile would be pretty spectacular too!
Me too! We had lots of cloudy nights when I was there :(
what about the rokinon SP 14mm f2.4?
Less vignetting and better bokah, due to more blades, than original 2.8 Rokinon AE or manual!! ..Sigma is the best tho. It's a game changer.
what about the Rokinon 24mm f 1.4 thats really fast lens good for astrophotography?
Sachin Hossamani yeah but it's not a 14mm lens.
Did you ever use your A7R2 for photographing stars ? I find it very hard to shoot stars ( or specially the milky way) with mirrorless cameras , since you can't see anything in the evf or the screen . Do you have any trick to choose you composition in those situations ?
Turn on focus peaking!!! I LOVE, LOVEEEEE using my a7R2 for stars, so much easier than DSLRs.
Just use live view and set your exposure to 30 seconds and ISO 12800 while focusing, then adjust your settings more appropriately before taking the shot.
Hi! Great review! Did you have a chance to try the Sigma MC-11 with the Irix on A7? I'm interested in this setup, do you think this combination can work?? Thanks in advance!
Just so you know, the nikon version of the rokinon has electronic iris control. It's because nikon was smart and put the motor in the body instead of every single lens.
That's true.
what about the rokinon 12mm 2.0?
For crop sensor cameras that is a fantastic lens.
Hey men, could you change samyang for yongnuo 14mm f2.8 and make a great review with images and more? Thanks and great video
Think Tamron will release a 14 or 15 mm lens?
Not sure. they have their 15-30 f/2.8 that I reviewed awhile back, doubt they will release a fast prime soon ua-cam.com/video/XTGUuIzGyIg/v-deo.html
i need to figure out irix or sigma
people complaining a lot about irix
sigma so expensive big and that front element scares people!
I bought four copies of the Samyang 14mm f2.8, but none of them is a good copy... I guess I'm just really unlucky then.
irix or samyang mk2 14mm ?
Tough call. I have not evaluated the mk2 yet. The IRix is faster f/2.4 vs f/2.8 but it is bigger and currently a little more expensive. My fav feature of the IRIX is the click at infinity focus making it very easy to get focus on stars. The new mk2 Samy has a lock for focus but you still need to find focus. I suspect they are very similar in quality. hope that helps!
So Toby, if you had an unlimited budget...which lenses would you get?
Ooof - tough call because the Sigma 14 is an easy choice but I am in this mode of really trying to travel lighter and the irix does everything I need minus AF and with the same quality in a lighter package. But I would be stupid not to take the more versatile sigma.
Would these work on a crop sensor Canon? (T3i)
They would but they are bigger and more expensive than you need. Take a look at an APS-C lens like Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 manual focus only but just $300 bucks.
@@photorectoby thanks I appreciate the reply.
The raw file link does not work, toby! Nice video, thanks :) I want to know how the sharpness compares...
I found the link on your homepage, but the one in the description does not work :)
Also if you like, check out a star picture I took with the Nikon D7100 and the kit lens (18-140). I stacked 17 pictures for it. I am looking forward to repeating the shot with a better lens (Sigma 18-35 or samyang 12mm 2.0).
500px.com/photo/150344121/ocean-above-2-by-mauricio-ruiz?ctx_page=2&from=user&user_id=13843393
Fixed. Thanks!
Kit lenses are certainly fine tools for everything including the stars. The Samy 12mm would be best on your nikon but the Sigma 18-35 is a more versatile lens all around.
Just downloaded the RAW files they seem to be corrupted
You miss that Rokinon/ Samyang has released two new lenses at 14mm, in addition to the 14mm F2.8:
The Premium XP 14mm F2.4 with aperture control and far better optics (Beats the Irix)
And the new AF 14mm F2.8 with full AF etc...
I've never heard about the IRIX in my country... hm
Seems to be an "exotic" brand.
would u take sony alpha 7r III, canon 5d mark iv or nikon d850 for astrophotography these days? sony has star eater, canon doesn't have BSI-CMOS and supposedly performs worse at any ISO but with 30MPix it seems sort of on par, nikon's future seems uncertain with closing factories and retails activities... I'm just about to buy into a first interchangeable system and basically every choice seems to have serious downsides. like even the fact that sony has star eater whereas nikon and canon suck at video - this alone seems so ridiculous. are they all conspiring?
Is your title right? Rokinon not Samyang.
Matthew Fry Just like 600D and T3i. Same thing but different name for different regions.
Yep!
amazing....first people bash and shame a new product for not having competitive features...like 6dm2.......but then tests their equipment using same FAILED products!
When dynamic range isn't being tested the 6DM2 is fine though I still won't recommend it to most people. Just worked out that I had Canon lenses to test and still had the review unit of the 6DM2 here.
Vid has bad sound