An "Uber" Wide for you Fuji X folks (and others)

dcsang

Canadian & Not A Dentist
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Just saw that Samyang is releasing a 12mm (18mm converted) f2.0 prime lens (with aperture ring) for most mirrorless systems (Fuji X, Sony E, Canon M and m4/3).

That company is doing something right. The lenses they offer are reasonably priced and fairly decent if I do recall.

Cheers,
Dave
 
Why such big aperture for uber wide lenses?
Is it so they adapt more readily as "normal" wides for m43 ?
Who needs an 18mm f2 that is so big (35mm equiv) ?
 
Wow very nice for us all shooting Fuji X system!!! Considering the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 is at $999, the new Samyang 12mm f/2 is a real bargain at $399, and I'm certain the Zeiss is not even two times better :D
 
Why such big aperture for uber wide lenses?
Is it so they adapt more readily as "normal" wides for m43 ?
Who needs an 18mm f2 that is so big (35mm equiv) ?

There are many applications where you need as much light as possible. One application I can see this being used for is night photography (of stars and such) and the widest aperture is usually used for that.
 
Why such big aperture for uber wide lenses?
Is it so they adapt more readily as "normal" wides for m43 ?
Who needs an 18mm f2 that is so big (35mm equiv) ?

Their site has Eiffel Tower night shot (wait, were we allowed to do night shot of Eiffel Tower for commercial use? I guess it can be licensed) for the 12mm product page so I guess they are suggesting available light urban/street photo kind of things maybe.
 
Why f 2.0?

When you stand in the same place, all other factors (especially the angle of view) being equal, f 2 on a m4/3 sensor produces almost as much signal (light) as f 4 would on a 24x36 mm sensor. For APS-C the factor is about 1.6.

The lower sensor surface areas are offset by the wider aperture.

Of course all other factors are not equal. Different sensors have different quantum efficiencies, read noise levels, and full-well saturation capacities. AA filters and color-array filter lens quality can also play a role... and different lenses often have different transmission factors.

While subject isolation is usually not a prime consideration at these focal lengths, f 2 also provides approximate DOF equivalence as well.

LomoLabs Equivalence White Paper

You can have either less glass area and larger sensor area, or more glass area and a smaller sensor area, and enjoy approximately equivalent performance.
 
Fantastic. Hope its avaible here in Germany before mid of may.
Will buy it for my Scotland hiking trip around Torridon. Perfect for astro shots!
 
I have been holding out for the release of the XF10-24, but should I? This 12/2 sounds really interesting, especially considering the price point!
 
Samyang...one caveat

Samyang...one caveat

A certain Mr. Cicala has commented in the recent past that the Samyang lenses he has examined cannot be disassembled and therefore have no provision for being serviced, no service available, and no parts available.
The intention is for them to be discarded if they get damaged.
The compensation is said to be that they are inexpensive.
 
I have the Samyang 8mm for my Xpro and it's a very good lens indeed. That said I'm looking to sell mine as I have the 12mm f2 on order as I think the angle of view would suit me more. The 8mm has however given me some good shots so I hope I don't end up regretting selling it.

Paul
 
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