Choosing the right ultra-wide lens can dramatically transform your photography, opening up new creative possibilities. When it comes to Rokinon’s popular offerings, the 12mm and 14mm lenses often sit at the top of many photographers’ wish lists. Both deliver expansive fields of view, perfect for landscapes, astrophotography, and architectural shots. However, their subtle differences in focal length and performance can significantly impact your final images.
Are you debating between the Rokinon 12mm and the Rokinon 14mm? This comparison dives deep into what each lens brings to the table. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision. Whether you prioritize maximum width or a slightly more balanced perspective, understanding these two excellent lenses is key.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | rokinon 12mm | 14mm |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 12mm | 14mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | APS-C (Canon EF-M, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds) | Full Frame (Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K) |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.13m (0.43 ft) | 0.28m (0.92 ft) |
| Angle of View | 109.7° (APS-C) | 115.7° (Full Frame) |
| Elements/Groups | 12/10 | 14/10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 | 6 |
| Filter Thread | N/A | 86mm |
| Weight | Approx. 285g – 310g | Approx. 430g – 510g |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Field of View
- Rokinon 12mm: Offers a wider 12mm focal length, providing an expansive 98.5-degree field of view on APS-C sensors. This is excellent for capturing expansive landscapes, astrophotography, and tight interior spaces.
- 14mm: Delivers a slightly narrower 14mm focal length, resulting in an 89.9-degree field of view on APS-C sensors. While still wide, it’s less extreme than the 12mm, offering a more controlled perspective for architectural shots or certain types of landscape.
- Winner: rokinon 12mm
Lens Construction & Elements
- Rokinon 12mm: Typically features 12 elements in 10 groups, including specialized elements like aspherical (AS) and extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. This design aims to minimize distortion and chromatic aberration for sharper images.
- 14mm: Usually boasts a more complex construction of 14 elements in 12 groups, often incorporating multiple aspherical elements. This advanced design is intended to combat aberrations and enhance edge-to-edge sharpness, especially at wide apertures.
- Winner: 14mm
Maximum Aperture
- Rokinon 12mm: Commonly features a bright f/2.0 maximum aperture. This allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to achieve shallow depth of field for subject isolation.
- 14mm: Often comes with a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. While still good for low light and subject separation, it’s a stop slower than the 12mm, meaning it requires slightly more light or higher ISO for equivalent exposure.
- Winner: rokinon 12mm
Minimum Focusing Distance
- Rokinon 12mm: Typically has a minimum focusing distance of around 0.15 meters (approximately 0.5 feet). This allows for closer focusing, enabling some macro-like capabilities and greater creative flexibility with perspective.
- 14mm: Usually has a minimum focusing distance of around 0.28 meters (approximately 0.9 feet). This is a more standard wide-angle focusing distance, meaning you won’t be able to get quite as close to your subject as with the 12mm.
- Winner: rokinon 12mm
Distortion
- Rokinon 12mm: While wide-angle lenses inherently exhibit some distortion, the 12mm is generally well-controlled for its focal length, especially with its advanced optical design. Barrel distortion is present but often manageable.
- 14mm: The 14mm is known for its more pronounced barrel distortion due to its wider perspective. While this can be used creatively, it often requires significant post-processing correction for architectural or straight-line subjects.
- Winner: rokinon 12mm
Sharpness
- Rokinon 12mm: Delivers good sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame, often praised for its performance in astrophotography. Edge sharpness can sometimes be softer, especially at wider apertures.
- 14mm: Generally lauded for its excellent sharpness across the frame, even at wider apertures, thanks to its complex optical formula. It often excels in delivering crisp details from corner to corner.
- Winner: 14mm
Size and Weight
- Rokinon 12mm: Tends to be more compact and lighter, making it a more portable option for travel and extended shooting sessions. Its smaller size can also be advantageous for mirrorless camera bodies.
- 14mm: Is typically larger and heavier due to its more complex optical design and larger front element. This can make it feel more substantial on a camera and potentially less comfortable for prolonged handheld use.
- Winner: rokinon 12mm
Build Quality and Handling
- Rokinon 12mm: Features a solid metal construction with a well-dampened manual focus ring. Some models may include de-clicked aperture rings for video use, and often a petal-style hood.
- 14mm: Also boasts a robust all-metal build and a smooth, precise manual focus ring. The integrated petal hood is a common feature, and the larger size can offer a more substantial grip.
- Winner: Tie
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Low Light Performance (on compatible sensor) | rokinon 12mm (due to f/2.0) |
| Field of View (on full-frame) | 14mm |
| Field of View (on APS-C) | rokinon 12mm |
| Portability | rokinon 12mm |
| Astrophotography (on APS-C) | rokinon 12mm |
| Astrophotography (on Full Frame) | 14mm |
| Versatility (Full Frame) | 14mm |
| Value for Money (on crop sensor) | rokinon 12mm |
What They Have in Common
- Manual Focus: Both lenses are fully manual focus, offering a tactile and engaging shooting experience for photographers who prefer precise control. This allows for smooth adjustments and a more deliberate approach to composition.
- Wide Aperture: While the 12mm boasts a faster f/2.0 aperture and the 14mm has an f/2.8, both offer significantly wide apertures for their respective classes. This is beneficial for low-light photography and achieving shallow depth-of-field effects.
- Excellent Build Quality: Both Rokinon lenses are known for their robust construction, typically featuring metal barrels and mount. This ensures durability and a premium feel, making them reliable tools for various shooting conditions.
- Affordable Price Point: Rokinon lenses generally offer exceptional value for money, providing high optical quality at a fraction of the cost of comparable first-party lenses. This makes them attractive options for budget-conscious enthusiasts and professionals.
- Distinctive Wide-Angle Perspective: Both lenses provide a wide-angle view, enabling photographers to capture expansive landscapes, architectural scenes, and group shots with a broad field of vision. The specific field of view differs based on sensor size compatibility.
Rokinon 12mm vs 14mm Buying Guide
Understanding Your Needs
The Rokinon 12mm and 14mm lenses cater to different photographic styles. If you primarily shoot landscapes, astrophotography, or architecture where capturing a vast scene is paramount, the wider 12mm might be your go-to. Its expansive field of view can create dramatic perspectives and pull viewers into your images. Conversely, if you need a lens that offers a slightly more natural field of view for general-purpose wide-angle shots, or if you want a bit more working distance from your subject, the 14mm presents a compelling option. Consider the typical subjects you photograph most often.
Field of View and Distortion
The most significant difference lies in their field of view. The 12mm lens offers a dramatically wider perspective, allowing you to fit significantly more into your frame. This extreme width, however, can lead to more pronounced distortion, especially towards the edges of the image, which can be a creative tool or a challenge to manage. The 14mm, while still very wide, presents a slightly less extreme perspective and generally exhibits less noticeable distortion, making it potentially easier to work with for those who prefer a more controlled wide-angle look. Evaluate how much distortion you are willing to tolerate or embrace. (See Also: Adobe Pro Vs Docusign )
Use Cases and Applications
For astrophotography, the 12mm’s wider aperture and field of view are often preferred for capturing more of the night sky and achieving faster shutter speeds to minimize star trails. It excels at fitting expansive starfields and the Milky Way into a single frame. The 14mm is also capable of astrophotography but will capture a slightly tighter portion of the sky. For landscapes, both are excellent, but the 12mm can create a more immersive, grand feeling. For videography, the 14mm might offer a more manageable focal length for general wide shots, while the 12mm can be used for ultra-wide cinematic establishing shots.
Optical Quality and Price Point
Both Rokinon lenses are known for their excellent optical quality at their respective price points, especially considering they are manual focus. The 12mm often features a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0), which is advantageous in low light and for achieving shallower depth of field. The 14mm typically has an f/2.8 aperture. While both are budget-friendly alternatives to autofocus lenses from major brands, there can be slight variations in sharpness, contrast, and flare resistance between the two. Research specific reviews for the exact models you are considering, but generally, both offer superb value.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy rokinon 12mm If…
- You shoot with an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds camera and want an ultra-wide lens for astrophotography or dramatic landscapes.
- You prioritize a wider field of view and a faster aperture for low-light situations on a crop sensor.
- You need a compact and lightweight wide-angle lens for travel or handheld shooting.
Buy 14mm If…
- You shoot with a full-frame camera and desire a very wide-angle perspective for landscapes, architecture, or astrophotography.
- You are looking for a versatile wide-angle lens that can also be used for some creative distortional effects.
- You don’t mind a slightly larger and heavier lens in exchange for a wider field of view on a full-frame sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which lens is better for astrophotography?
The Rokinon 12mm is generally considered superior for astrophotography due to its wider maximum aperture (often f/2.0) and significantly wider field of view. This allows you to capture more of the night sky in a single exposure, gather more light, and potentially use shorter shutter speeds to reduce star trailing. While the 14mm can also be used for astrophotography and produce excellent results, the 12mm’s combination of speed and breadth makes it the preferred choice for maximizing celestial views. (See Also: 40 Vs 32 Tv )
How much distortion can I expect from each lens?
The Rokinon 12mm, with its extreme wide-angle perspective, will exhibit more noticeable barrel distortion, particularly towards the edges of the frame. This can be a creative effect for emphasizing foreground elements or creating a sense of vastness, but it may require correction in post-processing for architectural or more rectilinear subjects. The 14mm lens, while still wide and prone to some distortion, generally shows less pronounced barrel distortion, making it a bit easier to manage for those who prefer a straighter perspective.
Which lens is more versatile for general photography?
For general-purpose wide-angle photography that includes landscapes, travel, and environmental portraits, the 14mm might offer a more versatile focal length. Its field of view is still very wide, allowing you to capture expansive scenes, but it is less extreme than the 12mm, resulting in a slightly more natural perspective and less pronounced distortion. This makes it potentially easier to integrate into various shooting scenarios without feeling overly wide or requiring extensive distortion correction.
Are these lenses suitable for video?
Both lenses can be excellent for video, especially for capturing wide shots. The 12mm is ideal for dramatic, immersive establishing shots or when you need to fit a lot into a confined space. The 14mm offers a slightly more conventional wide-angle perspective that can be very useful for general cinematic shots, vlogging, or capturing action in tight quarters. Their manual focus design allows for smooth, controlled focus pulls, which is a significant advantage in video production. (See Also: Lansky Vs Work Sharp )
Which lens is better for low-light situations?
The Rokinon 12mm often boasts a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0) compared to the 14mm (typically f/2.8). This wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, making the 12mm lens generally better suited for shooting in very low-light conditions. It enables faster shutter speeds to freeze motion or lower ISO settings to reduce noise, which is particularly beneficial for astrophotography and handheld shooting in dim environments.
Final Verdict
Both the Rokinon 12mm and 14mm are exceptional manual focus lenses offering incredible value. The 12mm shines for its ultra-wide perspective, perfect for astrophotography and dramatic landscapes, though it demands careful handling of distortion. The 14mm provides a more manageable wide-angle view, making it more versatile for general use and slightly easier to work with regarding distortion. For dedicated astrophotographers or those seeking the widest possible field of view, the 12mm is the clear winner.
Winner: Rokinon 12mm