Upgrade Path

[Kayaker72]

Just a quick update, but as part of this process, I decided to try the Rokinon (Samyang) 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC. This is the current model and is an improvement over the Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC (released 2009). I only bring this up as I wasn't aware that there were two recent models floating around. For awhile I have seen photos taken with this lens that I really liked. After reading about some quality control issues, I brought two of the lenses in from amazon. Sure enough, one of them within 2 minutes of testing was vastly inferior to the other.

But the main reason for my post is the main knock I've always heard about this lens was the distortion (other than lack of AF). Before buying I found this link about a profile for Lightroom for the Samyang 14 UMC. Adobe themselves don't provide one.

Below are the results:

Brick wall....no correction for distortion:

Same picture using the Lightroom profile provided for in the link:

While not perfect, the profile does seem to correct the distortion pretty well without too much loss.

If I find I really like 14 mm, I may someday upgrade to the Canon for AF and a few other things. But, for now, I'll see if I like the focal length for $325.

BTW...here is a quick one I took from my front lawn....