Rokinon

Rokinon Announces New Aktiv Pak AP80AW Camera Bag

by Chris Gampat on 04/29/2013

Rokinon has made lenses, filters, flashes and tripods; but now they’re getting into the camera bag business. One of their first new additions is their new Aktiv Pak messenger bag. The messenger bag seems to be very similar to other sling type camera bags. And on the eBay sales page, the company touts that is is carry-on compatible and made of durable, weather resistant, 600D material. There is padding inside with three compartments for your DSLR as well as for an iPad, tablet, laptop or magazines. Most of all, there is also a tripod/monopod slot to hold that extra sucker if you need it.

The new bag is available now for $34.95.

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The Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 Will Be Available May 2nd

by Gevon Servo on 04/28/2013

For some time now, we have been reporting on the Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5. It has come to our attention that it will be shipping May 2nd. It’s available for pre order at this very moment for Canon, Nikon and Sony Alpha mounts. Announced in Sept 2012 the Samyang/Rokinon lens will have a lot of functionality at a far less cost of tilt shift lenses made by Canon and Nikon. The plane of focus and the optical axis can both be adjusted individually as well as an option to take it further. The next level is the ability to rotate the lens mount and the tilt shift section may be rotated left 90 degrees. The lens mount can also be rotated 90 degrees left and right. Sample images can be found here and we hope to be reviewing this lens soon.

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Seven Lenses for The Portrait Shooter on a Budget

by Chris Gampat on 04/22/2013

Whether photography is your hobby or you’re looking to make it into a profession, portraits are one of the best ways to flex your creative skills. There are some lenses that are very good and that may even stay in your camera bag for a long time. These lenses are indeed so extraordinary that you’ll eventually find yourself trying to justify an upgrade after you’ve grown with it so much.

And most of these lenses are well under $1,000. After our years of reviewing and testing optics, we’ve compiled some of the best just for you–and these ones won’t make your wallet bleed.

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Weekend Boredom: Which Image Uses a UV Filter?

by Chris Gampat on 04/06/2013

Many people complain that UV filters degrade their image quality. But does it really? We did a very quick test with one of the sharpest lenses currently on the market to see.

Can you tell the difference?

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Rokinon Says That Their 24mm Tilt Shift Lens is Coming in May 2013

by Chris Gampat on 03/11/2013

This is a photo of the Samyang 24mm Tilt Shift lens that Samyang/Rokinon announced a while back. Today, the company is saying that the lens will be shipping in May 2013 for Canon, Nikon and Sony Alpha mounts to start with. The new lens will allow 12mm of shift with an 8.5 degree tilt. It can also be shifted upward to around 90 degrees.

In terms of construction, it sports 16 elements with 11 groups with two aspherical lenses. They’re already available for pre-order over at B&H Photo and Amazon.

Stay tuned, we’ve got a review unit headed our way.

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All Will Be Well, It’s Just a Portrait: Enter to Win a Rokinon 85mm f1.4 Lens

by Julius Motal on 02/06/2013

Rokinon 85mm f1.4

You have definitely heard us say that everyone should have an 85mm lens. Well, now you have a chance to win one from Rokinon. The Phoblographer, in association with Rokinon, will be giving away an 85mm f1.4 in our, “All Will be Well, It’s Just a Portrait” contest. We want you to show us your best portrait. You can use any lens you like. Just be sure to capture a calm portrait of your subject in the best way possible.

This contest is open to everyone.

How To Enter:

-Join Rokinon’s brand new Flickr group

-Each entry must be the original work of the entrant

-Entries must have the tag “Portrait lens”

-Entries are limited to one photo per person

-Keep all the photos safe for work (no nudity or anything like that)

-Minimum file size is 1024 x 768

-The contest ends on February 14, 2013; winners will be announced shortly after that

-The contest will be judged the staff of the Phoblographer and Rokinon

-The portraits will be judged on the originality, quality, and overall impact of the work.

- The Staff of the Phoblographer and Rokinon (“Sponsor”), and its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child and sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and/or those living in same household of each, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate or win. Sponsor reserves the right to verify all eligibility requirements. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local law and regulations.

Best of luck! Get photographing.