Sony NEX - C3 + Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

Hyubie

Top Veteran
Location
Massachusetts
Got this lens just today, so I haven't had a chance to really go out and test it. My initial impressions are

(1) it has a nice build. A little heavy, but expected given its size and aperture. It's not so imbalanced that tripod is required.
(2) Images are crisp so far, as long as the focus is nailed;
(3) focus rings are a bit stiff, not silky smooth in operations, but it's a very small gripe on my part;
(4) the included hood is flimsy. Again, at least it has a hood, right, Olympus?
(5) it doesn't fit well on my EOS-Nex adapter. Rattles a little - and I'm pretty sure it's not the adapter as I tried other EOS lenses and they all are a good fit.
(6) Bokehlicious. The background just melts. :cool:

Sample shots below (all @ f/1.4, otherwise why buy the lens, right? ;) )


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1393-c3-rokinon-85mm-%40-f-1-4.jpg



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Ahhh, you are discovering the pleasures of legacy glass on Nex:) Looking forward to your results!

Yes, I am. And indeed it is a pleasure. It is taking a leisurely drive along the Big Sur Coast Highway, whereas AF is driving to work. (I am not taking a dig at the cameras or the IQ here, but the process itself. :))

I specifically bought the NEX for manual focus lens - I found them intriguing when I used them with m43. But I really didn't "buy" into it because nailing the focus is an iffy task - not that it's too hard for me (luckily I am blessed with 20/20 :D), but I need confirmation without zooming in. With m43, it was a side-show: I really didn't think I could build a manual focus kit with it.

With the NEX's focus peaking, it is just a joy. I don't even have a native NEX lens, and I don't mind buying lenses at their market price, because I know I will use them.
 
Yes, I am. And indeed it is a pleasure. It is taking a leisurely drive along the Big Sur Coast Highway, whereas AF is driving to work. (I am not taking a dig at the cameras or the IQ here, but the process itself. :))

I specifically bought the NEX for manual focus lens - I found them intriguing when I used them with m43. But I really didn't "buy" into it because nailing the focus is an iffy task - not that it's too hard for me (luckily I am blessed with 20/20 :D), but I need confirmation without zooming in. With m43, it was a side-show: I really didn't think I could build a manual focus kit with it.

With the NEX's focus peaking, it is just a joy. I don't even have a native NEX lens, and I don't mind buying lenses at their market price, because I know I will use them.

Welcome to the cult...there's a secret handshake and a newsletter :eek:.

There is just something about using a MF lens with the NEX that works so well and makes the process enjoyable. Focus peaking is really spectacular. I have a perfectly nice Panasonic GX1 and PL25 but to me the C3 with one of my old Konica lenses is something all together different. I don't have any native lenses with my NEX and I'm not sure I ever will. since picking up the NEX I have picked up a Konica 40/1.8, 50/1.7 and 200/3.5 and hope to add a 135/3.2. On m43 I wouldn't have bothered because it was simpler to go with native lenses and the results were better. I don't feel that way about the NEX. I think the results are superb and it's just as easy and fun to use manual focus.
 
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