Rokinon Series II FE14M-FX 14mm
Its 14-element optical design with ED and aspherical glass delivers sharp, low-distortion images across a dramatic 115.7° field of view. The integrated petal hood and Ultra Multi-Coating effectively suppress flare for high-contrast results, while the bright f/2.8 aperture and 11-inch close focus distance add creative versatility. This lens is best for astrophotographers and real estate shooters on Fujifilm X who need precise manual control and edge-to-edge clarity in tight spaces.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Manual focus only, but the optics are so good you won't care. Grab it at USD 229 and laugh all the way to the landscape.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Optical quality is genuinely excellent for the price 91st
- Weather sealed, which is rare at this budget 83rd
- Built-in AE chip means aperture control works on Nikon bodies 79th
- 10-blade diaphragm makes nice sunstars 72nd
Cons
- Manual focus only, and the AF score is near the bottom
- Bokeh is mediocre at best
- Max aperture of f/2.8 is nothing special for low light
- Build quality is just average
The proof
Performance
The optical performance is the headline here. 18 elements in 12 groups with 2 aspherical and 1 ED element, and it shows. Sharpness is a standout, landing near the top of our database. The 10-blade diaphragm helps keep sunstars looking clean when you stop down. But here's the thing that surprised us: the stabilization score is solid at the 80th percentile, which is unusual for a manual focus prime. The macro capability is also better than expected for an ultra-wide, hitting the 75th percentile with a 10.8 inch minimum focus distance. That's close enough to get some fun exaggerated-perspective close-ups.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 14 |
| Focal Length Max | 14 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.2 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 14 |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x |
vs Competition
Against the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, the Rokinon is wider and sharper but gives up autofocus and zoom flexibility entirely. The Yongnuo 23mm f/1.4S is faster and has AF, but it's an APS-C lens and not nearly as wide. The Tamron 28-300mm is a completely different beast, a superzoom for convenience, while this Rokinon is a specialized tool for wide-angle work. If you need 14mm on full frame without spending a fortune, none of these competitors really touch it.
| Spec | Rokinon Series II FE14M-FX 14mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 14mm | 28-300mm | 18-55mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Nikon F | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 552 | 590 | 205 | 535 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rokinon Series II FE14M-FX 14mm | 14.8 | 25.2 | 54.4 | 91.2 | 82.9 | 21.9 | 33.2 | 71.9 | 79.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.4 | 62.9 | 83.3 | 96.3 | 70.8 | 97.9 | 50.4 | 79.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.6 | 81.2 | 83.6 | 95.3 | 54.4 | 82.6 | 82.8 | 86.1 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 53.9 | 97 | 66.9 | 72.3 | 96.6 | 95.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 86.6 | 83.7 | 48.9 | 86.1 | 88.2 | 80.4 | 86.1 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.2 | 70.8 | 37.3 | 78 | 82.6 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Here's where it gets interesting. The price spread across US listings runs from USD 229 to USD 299, which is a USD 70 gap. That's a big enough difference to matter. If you can snag this at the USD 229 end, it's a steal for the optical quality you're getting. At USD 299, it's still decent but less of a no-brainer. Shop around and don't pay the high end if you don't have to.
Read more
Overview
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Series II is a weird little lens. It's manual focus only, which scares off a lot of people, but the optical quality here is genuinely impressive for the price. You're getting an ultra-wide full-frame lens with weather sealing and a built-in AE chip for Nikon bodies, and the sharpness lands in the 88th percentile of all lenses we've tested. That's not a typo. This thing punches way above its weight class optically.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens autofocus on Nikon bodies?
Nope. It's manual focus only. The AE chip handles aperture control and metering, but you're turning the focus ring yourself. For landscapes and astro that's fine. For kids running around, it's a pain.
Q: Will this work on a crop sensor Nikon?
Yes. It covers full frame, so on APS-C it'll give you roughly a 21mm equivalent field of view. You'll get the sharp center portion of the image circle, which is actually a bonus.
Q: Is the weather sealing actually useful?
It's better than nothing, which is more than most lenses at this price offer. Don't go swimming with it, but light rain and dust shouldn't kill it. Just make sure your camera body is sealed too.
Who Should Skip This
If you need autofocus or you're shooting events, weddings, or anything with moving subjects, this isn't your lens. Go grab a used Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 or a Tamron 15-30mm instead. You'll pay more, but you won't miss shots while fiddling with a focus ring.
Verdict
If you shoot landscapes, architecture, or astro on a Nikon full-frame body and you're willing to focus manually, this lens is a no-brainer at the low end of the price range. The optical quality alone justifies it. But if you need autofocus or you're shooting fast-moving subjects, this will frustrate you. Know what you're getting into and it's a fantastic value.
