35mm f/1.4 Samyang, Bower, Rokinon: Any Difference?

[Rob-F]

Supposedly these differently branded lenses are all the same except for the name. But the Samyang costs twice what the Bower costs. I wonder: might the copies that test less well on final inspection receive the Bower Badge, while the best ones become Samyang? If so, where do the Rokinons fall in the heirarchy?

 

[bmattock]

I doubt they test them and then brand them. I doubt they test them at all.

 

[kxl]

They're identical; just different branding for different markets. Lens to lens differences are probably attributable to sample variations.

https://fstoppers.com/gear/samyang-optics-unusual-three-brand-market-testing-3991

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I doubt they test them at all.

I'm sure someone squints through the barrel to check some glass was fitted 😉

 

[sevo]

Samyang is the maker. Rokinon is a brand of Elite Brands (who also are the US distributor of Samyang) - I don't know about the current state of Bower, but both Bower and Rokinon seem to be house brands of B&H, so chances are that all three are part of the same organisation. In Germany/Europe, Walimex is another brand under which you may see Samyang lenses.

It is highly likely that this all has nothing to do with different levels of quality control (there is no budget for individual tests in these prices anyway), but with market penetration, catering for as many different buyer groups as possible with exactly the same product.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Samyang is the maker. Rokinon is a brand of Elite Brands (who also are the US distributor of Samyang) - I don't know about the current state of Bower, but both Bower and Rokinon seem to be house brands of B&H, so chances are that all three are part of the same organisation. In Germany/Europe, Walimex is another brand under which you may see Samyang lenses.

It is highly likely that this all has nothing to do with different levels of quality control (there is no budget for individual tests in these prices anyway), but with market penetration, catering for as many different buyer groups as possible with exactly the same product.

Rokinon isn't a B&H house brand. The locally owned camera store where I live sells the Rokinon branded lenses.

 

[sevo]

Rokinon isn't a B&H house brand. The locally owned camera store where I live sells the Rokinon branded lenses.

Maybe. Elite Brands appear to be a independent entity, even though they own several brands I once perceived as B&H exclusive (but that may be my European perspective, perhaps B&H never had more than mail order exclusivity to them).

 

[bmattock]

Maybe. Elite Brands appear to be a independent entity, even though they own several brands I once perceived as B&H exclusive (but that may be my European perspective, perhaps B&H never had more than mail order exclusivity to them).

http://www.rokinon.com/about-us

ROKINON is owned and operated solely by Elite Brands Inc. The people of Elite Brands Inc. have brought to you the finest products in our industry, with uncompromising attention to quality, function, detail and design. Today, EBI is a premier manufacturer of digital cameras, digital camcorders, 35mm cameras, photo and computer luggage, binoculars, telescopes, lenses and many other products and accessories. EBI’s ultra modern facilities and its in-house design department, allow it to offer customers the best out of stock, direct import and customized programs anywhere.​

 

[bmattock]

http://www.elitebrands.com

About Elite Brands Inc.
For over 30 years, Elite Brands Inc. has been known for its outstanding quality, performance and value. With seven main brands and several more sub-brands, EBI has become a premier manufacturer of consumer electronics. This worldwide reputation is founded on innovation and technology that result in the finest, most affordable products in the industry.​

Elite Brands appears to own a number of companies, including Coleman, for those who recall that illustrious brand.

 

[bmattock]

So it seems that Samyang makes the lenses. Elite Brands owns various brands, including Rokinon, which are relabled Samyang.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyang_Optics

Samyang SLR lenses are also branded as Vivitar, Falcon, Rokinon, Walimex, Bower, Opteka, Bell and Howell, Polar, and Pro-Optic.​

 

[farlymac]

Cambridge is another seller of the Rokinon brand lenses. I also happen to have an 18-28mm 1:4.0-4.5 labeled Phoenix/Samyang.

PF

 

[pvdhaar]

Some of the Samyang lenses have seen revisions.. e.g. adding a CPU. It's entirely possible that the price difference between brands is caused by one being an older version of the lens than another.. Caveat Emptor

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Prices are often plucked out of thin air, depending on what the seller thinks he/she can get away with.

Something costing the factory 5, could be sold to a wholesaler/importer for 10 and then to a shop for 20 and then to the user for 40 plus tax.

Then a shop goes direct to the maker and says how about 2,000 with my label and gets then for 11 and sells them to the public for 30 plus tax.

Or in the old USSR the factory makes them for 4 and they are distributed by the state and sold to the public for 5... There's no way of us poor buyers knowing what goes on.

And how about the makers opens a factory in China? Then he/she gets them made for 2 instead of 5 whatevers and they still sell for 40 plus tax...

Or when the new model comes out the maker unloads the old ones direct to the biggest dealer for a bargain price.

Regards, David

 

[J enea]

I just had the bower 35mm lens for nikon delivered today from B&H. i was worried because the price was so low that maybe it was not chipped but put it on my D700 and got a focus confirm as wwll as my N80 which cant meter with MF lenses and it worked fine. For the price I'm excited and cant wait to try it out.