Rokinon Series II 14mm f/2.8 14mm
Covering a 115° full-frame field with a fast T3.1 aperture and full weather sealing, this 14mm cine prime captures dramatic wide-angle shots in harsh conditions. Color-matched across the DSX line, it streamlines multi-camera shoots and slashes post-production grading time. It’s best for cinematographers needing a rugged ultra-wide lens for narrative establishing shots and cramped interior work.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
This lens delivers optical quality in the 84th percentile for a bargain price, but user sentiment is a rough 30th percentile thanks to inconsistent quality control. You'll get sharp centers and great coma control for astro work, but you have to accept fully manual operation and the risk of getting a soft copy. Buy from a place with easy returns and test it thoroughly.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Optical quality in the 84th percentile, with sharp centers that rival much pricier glass. 84th
- Excellent coma control on good copies, making it a top pick for astrophotography. 78th
- Solid, weather-sealed build at a weight of just 485g.
- Smooth, well-damped manual focus ring for precise adjustments.
- Incredible value, often found for a fraction of the cost of first-party 14mm primes.
Cons
- User sentiment is a disappointing 30th percentile, driven by quality control roulette.
- No autofocus or electronic contacts, landing it in the 13th percentile for AF.
- Heavy mustache distortion and vignetting that require software correction.
- Soft edges on decentered copies are a common frustration among buyers.
- No filter threads, so you're stuck with bulky square filter systems.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202685/100
Buyers praised the lens quality and night performance, but noted the manual f-stop as a drawback. Used purchases arrived in excellent condition with fast shipping.
- Excellent image quality, especially at night.
- Used lenses arrive in great condition, like new.
- Fast shipping and good seller communication.
- Manual f-stop is a drawback compared to digital control.
- Q3 2024100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its performance on Canon and Sony cameras, noting its compactness, improved feel, and suitability for astrophotography and landscapes.
- Excellent for Milky Way and wide-angle landscape photography.
- Compact, improved feel over previous version, and good build.
- Works well with Canon 5D MK IV and Sony A1 cameras.
- Includes permanent hood with cap, locking focus ability.
- Q1 202475/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness and value, but noted accidental aperture ring movement and warranty issues for Canadians.
- Sharp image quality and good value, especially on sale.
- Manual focus learning curve; accidental aperture ring movement.
- Warranty service problems reported for Canadian customers.
- Solid build, locking focus ring, and manual aperture ring appreciated.
- Q2 202272/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography, street photography, and fast autofocus, but one flagged a persistent focal length communication bug affecting SteadyShot and EXIF data.
- Great for astrophotography and street photography; fast AF on Sony A7IV.
- Lens fails to communicate focal length to camera, requiring manual menu adjustments.
- Works well on Nikon D3300 but declared incompatible with D3500.
- Lightweight and portable for street photography.
- Q1 202250/100
Buyers praised sharpness and value, but reports of coma on stars, early failure, and focusing difficulty tempered enthusiasm.
- Sharp, fast autofocus, and great value compared to first-party lenses.
- Severe coma on stars, even at center, making astrophotography difficult.
- Lens stopped working after three weeks of use.
- Hard to achieve focus, with only one in five shots sharp.
- Q4 202193/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, value, and build quality. Minor issues include occasional focus hunting and hidden f-stop indicator.
- Excellent value and sharpness for the price, often compared favorably to Canon equivalents.
- Great build quality with metal construction, lightweight, and smooth/clickable aperture ring.
- Some users report occasional focus hunting, but firmware updates address it.
- F-stop indicator partially hidden on Canon mount; wish for faster aperture like f/1.8.
- Q3 202196/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography, sharpness, fast focus, and value. One highlighted impressive bokeh.
- Excellent for astrophotography and nightscapes, delivering clear, sharp images.
- Sharpness and fast autofocus consistently praised across reviews.
- Great value for the price, considered a bargain.
- Impressive bokeh quality noted by one reviewer.
- Q2 202183/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, astrophotography performance, and value. Some note compatibility issues with Canon R6 and desire for sharper results.
- Excellent sharpness and image quality for astrophotography and landscapes.
- Great value for the price, often compared favorably to more expensive options.
- Compatibility issues with Canon R6 reported; works with older Canon models.
- One user found the lens not sharp enough and returned it.
- Q1 202193/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, autofocus, and value compared to pricier OEM alternatives. A few note slow focus for movement and slight corner softness wide open.
- Excellent value and performance rivaling Nikon and Zeiss lenses at a fraction of the cost.
- Sharp central image quality, especially at f/1.4, with good bokeh for portraits and weddings.
- Autofocus is quiet and fast but can be slow for moving subjects.
- Slight corner softness at f/1.4, sharp across frame by f/2.8.
- Q4 202090/100
Buyers praised the lens for its image quality, build, and value, though one noted the manual focus requires adjustment.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and value compared to pricier alternatives.
- Good build quality and lightweight design, though heavier than expected.
- Manual focus takes getting used to, causing occasional missed shots.
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance.
- Q3 202075/100
Buyers praised this lens for astrophotography and value, but some noted corner distortion and sharpness issues.
- Excellent for astrophotography, capturing Milky Way and night sky.
- Great value for price, often compared favorably to pricier alternatives.
- Sharpness praised by some, but one buyer returned due to insufficient sharpness.
- Corner stretching during daytime use noted as a limitation.
- Q2 202075/100
Buyers praised the lens for minimal coma and wide-angle creativity, but one reported softness issues and returned it for a pricier Sony alternative.
- Great wide-angle lens with minimal coma, enhances creative photography.
- One unit had softness issues, leading to return for store credit.
- Focus acquisition tricky but manageable; value good compared to expensive Sony lenses.
- Pairs well with Canon Mark IV, captures impressive detail and subject.
- Q1 202087/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, build quality, and wide-angle performance, though one noted a missing hood attachment and another found it mainly manual on Nikon Z6.
- Sharp, crisp images with great wide-angle and low-light capability.
- High build quality and premium materials, including velvet-lined lens cap.
- Auto focus works well but hood doesn't attach; manual use on some cameras.
- Distortion present but correctable in post-processing.
- Q4 201980/100
Buyers praised the lens for its impressive field of view, fast autofocus, and build quality, though one noted excessive distortion.
- Impressive field of view and fast, accurate autofocus.
- Well-built and works well with both DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
- Excessive distortion led to a return with partial refund for shipping.
- Great for night and star photography, exceeding expectations.
- Q3 201987/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, wide field of view, and value for night photography, though some noted harsh vignetting and a bulky lens cover.
- Sharp images and ultra-wide field of view appreciated.
- Great value compared to Canon equivalent, especially for night photography.
- Excellent bokeh and good deal with lens dock.
- Harsh vignetting, likely due to fixed lens shade; large cover inconvenient.
- Q2 201982/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography and portrait work, noting sharpness and value. Some reported low-light AF issues and missing ND filter support.
- Excellent sharpness and clarity for astrophotography and portraits.
- Great value for the price, solid build quality.
- Low-light autofocus performance is poor compared to cheaper alternatives.
- Known quality control issues with focusing, but this copy worked well.
- Q1 201996/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography, real estate, and wide-angle shots, noting sharpness and value, though some mentioned it is heavy.
- Excellent for astrophotography and real estate photography with crisp images.
- Great value for the price, especially for wide-angle needs on various cameras.
- Lens is heavy, but overall performance outweighs this drawback.
- Easy to use manual focus, suitable for architecture and landscapes.
- Q4 201887/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography, low light performance, and value for real estate. Some noted stiff focus ring and ghosting in bright light.
- Excellent for astrophotography and low light without flash.
- Great value and bargain for real estate and interior photography.
- Sharp and clear, but focus ring is stiff and build is mostly plastic.
- Ghosting occurs in bright light at certain angles, reduced by stopping down.
- Q3 201882/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography and value, but noted mixed sharpness and manual focus challenges.
- Excellent for astrophotography, especially Milky Way shots.
- Great value for the price, with solid build quality.
- Sharpness varies; some users report unsharp photos.
- Manual focus and aperture require adjustment, no AF.
- Q2 201881/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, value, and performance in landscape and astrophotography. Some reported quality control issues with infinity focus.
- Excellent value for the price, comparable to more expensive lenses.
- Sharp images, even at edges and wide apertures.
- Great for landscape and astrophotography.
- Quality control issues: some lenses fail to focus to infinity.
- Q1 201872/100
Buyers praise the lens for value, sharpness after correction, and versatility for astro/real estate. Some note manual focus challenges and distortion.
- Great value for price, especially for astrophotography and real estate.
- Distortion and vignetting correctable in software; acceptable for cost.
- Manual focus and lack of autofocus frustrate some users.
- Build quality good; occasional vignetting or focus issues reported.
- Q4 2017100/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharp, wide-angle images and accurate focus, with minor notes on filter incompatibility.
- Sharp, crisp images and wide angle of view.
- Accurate focus and infinity settings, even for beginners.
- No filter support noted as a known limitation.
- Recommended for ultra-wide photography with filter holder suggestion.
- Q3 201787/100
Buyers praised this lens for astrophotography and landscapes, noting sharpness, solid build, and low cost. Some mentioned manual focus adjustment and missing f-stop metadata.
- Excellent for astrophotography and low-light landscapes, producing sharp, vibrant images.
- Solid construction and low price make it a great value for full-frame cameras.
- Manual focus requires practice; some users miss autofocus convenience.
- Does not communicate f-stop to camera metadata, requiring manual note-taking.
- Q2 201763/100
Buyers praised sharpness and value for astro/landscape, but many reported extreme mustache distortion and inconsistent sharpness across copies.
- Sharp images and good contrast for the price, especially for astrophotography and landscapes.
- Extreme mustache distortion, far worse than expected, even after correction.
- Inconsistent sharpness; some copies had severe smearing and lack of focus outside center.
- Manual focus and permanent hood limit filter use, but acceptable for intended use.
- Q1 201782/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography and value, but noted manual focus challenges and slight vignetting.
- Excellent for astrophotography and night sky shots.
- Manual focus is difficult for some, but manageable with focus peaking or infinity setting.
- Great value and sharpness for the price.
- Slight vignetting at wide open aperture.
- Q4 201682/100
Buyers praised the lens for astrophotography and landscapes, citing sharpness and value. Some noted manual focus and distortion issues.
- Excellent for astrophotography and landscapes, with sharp images.
- Great value and price compared to native or L-series lenses.
- Manual focus is a common adjustment; some blur from user error.
- Distortion hard to correct; not ideal for architecture.
- Q3 201671/100
Buyers praise the lens for astrophotography and value, but one reports a defective copy with poor image quality.
- Excellent for astrophotography, capturing stars and Milky Way with low coma.
- Great value for price, sharp images, and solid build.
- Some softness at edges and distortion, but correctable in post-processing.
- One buyer received a defective copy with poor focus and image quality.
- Q4 201585/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, value, and suitability for landscapes and astrophotography, though some noted soft video and manual focus challenges.
- Sharp images at f/5.6-f/8 on tripod; good for landscapes and architecture.
- Great value for the price; recommended for budget ultra-wide needs.
- Manual focus works for some, but problematic for astigmatism or video use.
- Soft and dark video; Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 preferred for real estate.
- Q2 201493/100
Buyers praise this lens for exceptional sharpness, value, and full-frame coverage, with minor notes on manual focus practice.
- Lens is exceptionally sharp, compared to a katana.
- Excellent value and speed, outperforming pricier lenses.
- Full-frame design works well on Sony A7 and NEX.
- Manual focusing requires practice and good lighting.
- Q3 201390/100
Buyers praised this manual wide-angle lens as an outstanding value, delivering sharp images and solid build quality at a low price.
- Excellent value for money, outperforming expectations given the low cost.
- Sharp images, especially at f/8, with good corner performance on full-frame cameras.
- Minor complaints: no retro-focus markings and no rear filter slot.
- Secure lens cap design prevents accidental contact with front element.
- Q2 2013100/100
Buyers praise this lens for exceptional sharpness and value, especially for video and wide-angle photography on high-resolution cameras.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality rivaling expensive Nikon lenses.
- Excellent value for the price, often compared to lenses costing much more.
- Great for video work, providing a unique wide-angle look.
- Manual focus and no filter use are noted but accepted for the price and depth of field.
Based on 250 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Optically, this lens can punch well above its weight class. The 14 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical and two ED elements, do serious work to keep chromatic aberration in check. In our database, its optical score sits in the 84th percentile, making it one of the better wide-angle primes we've tracked for raw image quality. Center sharpness is where it shines, often rivaling glass that costs three or four times as much. But the edges are a different story, especially wide open at f/2.8. You'll see noticeable mustache distortion and heavy vignetting that demand a lens profile in Lightroom to clean up. The manual focus ring is smooth and well-damped, which is a lifesaver since you'll be using it for every single shot. Just don't expect any help from the camera, there's no autofocus at all, landing it in the 13th percentile for AF capability. For astro and landscapes where you're zone focusing anyway, it's a non-issue. For anything that moves, it's a hard pass.
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 | Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x |
vs Competition
Stacked against the competition, the Rokinon is a specialist. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 are zooms that offer autofocus and stabilization, making them far more versatile for everyday shooting. They land much higher in our versatility rankings, while the Rokinon sits in the 34th percentile. But those zooms can't touch the Rokinon's 14mm field of view or its coma control for astro work. The Nikon Z 16-50mm and Sony 18-135mm are even more general-purpose, with OSS and VR stabilization that the Rokinon completely lacks, putting it in the 37th percentile for stabilization. If you need one lens to do it all, look elsewhere. If you need a dedicated, ultra-wide prime for a specific job and you're willing to work for the shot, the Rokinon carves out a unique niche.
| Spec | Rokinon Series II 14mm f/2.8 14mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic LUMIX S S-E100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 14mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 16-50mm | 18-135mm | 100mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E | L-Mount |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 485 | 610 | 290 | 135 | 326 | 298 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Stepping Motor | Linear motor | Dual Phase Linear Motor |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | macro |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rokinon Series II 14mm f/2.8 14mm | 12.9 | 13.2 | 64.6 | 38.2 | 83.6 | 20 | 30.2 | 33.7 | 78 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98.1 | 77.3 | 65.3 | 85 | 96.8 | 65.6 | 91 | 97.8 | 55.9 | 82.5 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 87.2 | 81.4 | 86.7 | 90.8 | 82.5 | 83.6 | 80.7 | 78.5 | 89.9 | 36.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 87.2 | 74.8 | 92.9 | 45 | 74.4 | 77 | 0 | 83.2 | 81.2 | 95.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98.1 | 74.8 | 73.2 | 40.1 | 78.9 | 77 | 44.6 | 95.8 | 89.9 | 82.5 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-E100 Compare | 98.1 | 86.6 | 86.5 | 81.3 | 83.6 | 83.6 | 80.7 | 33.7 | 65.8 | 36.8 |
Price
Value & Pricing
The price spread on this lens is wild, ranging from $218 to $6520 across vendors. The low end is where the magic happens. For around $250, you're getting optical performance that can hang with lenses in the $1000+ range, assuming you win the quality control lottery. That's an absurdly good price-to-performance ratio for a specialized wide-angle prime. The high-end pricing you see is likely for bundled or auto-focus versions on newer mirrorless mounts, but the core manual focus EF and Nikon F mount versions are where the real deal is. If you're on a budget and need an ultra-wide for landscapes or astro, it's hard to argue with the math here.
Amazon.co.uk 2 offers From £218
Price History
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Overview
The Rokinon Series II 14mm f/2.8 is a lens that lives and dies by its value proposition. At its best, you're getting optical performance that lands in the 84th percentile of our database, which is genuinely impressive for a lens that can be found for just a couple hundred bucks. The center sharpness is a standout, and coma control on a good copy makes this a darling for astrophotography. But you need to know what you're signing up for. This is a fully manual lens with no autofocus and no electronic communication with your camera, so forget about EXIF data. The user sentiment score sits at a mediocre 30th percentile, and that tells the real story: quality control is a gamble. You might get a razor-sharp copy, or you might get one with soft edges that'll drive you up a wall.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use screw-on filters with this lens?
Nope, the built-in petal hood and bulbous front element mean there are no filter threads. You'll need a square filter system with a holder, like those from Lee or NiSi, which adds bulk and cost.
Q: Will this lens autofocus on my Nikon D3100?
It won't autofocus on any camera body. This is a fully manual lens. The AE chip version will give you focus confirmation, a green dot in the viewfinder when you've nailed focus, but you're doing all the turning yourself.
Q: Is this a good choice for astrophotography?
On a good copy, absolutely. The 14mm focal length gives you a huge swath of sky, and the coma control is excellent for pinpoint stars. Just be aware that quality control is spotty, so test your copy for decentering before heading out to a dark sky site.
Who Should Skip This
If you need a reliable, grab-and-go lens that just works, keep walking. The 30th percentile user sentiment score isn't just a number, it's a warning. Shooters who rely on autofocus for events or fast-paced work will find the 13th percentile AF ranking a dealbreaker. Videographers needing smooth, stabilized footage should look at the 37th percentile stabilization score and run the other way. And if the thought of returning a lens multiple times to get a sharp copy makes you cringe, the quality control lottery here will be a nightmare. This is a lens for tinkerers and budget-conscious specialists, not for anyone who values convenience or consistency.
Verdict
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is a high-risk, high-reward lens. The data shows it can deliver best-in-class optical performance for the price, but the 30th percentile user sentiment score is a red flag you can't ignore. You're essentially rolling the dice on getting a good copy. If you win, you've got a fantastic astro and landscape lens that's a steal. If you lose, you're dealing with soft edges and frustrating distortion. Our recommendation is simple: buy it from a retailer with a solid return policy, test it immediately, and don't be afraid to exchange it. For patient shooters on a budget, the potential payoff is huge.
