Should I buy a Rokinon/Samyang Micro Four Thirds lens, or a Nikon-mount version and adapt it?
Asked 5/1/2015
6 views
2 answers
0
I currently shoot Micro Four Thirds and am considering a manual-focus Rokinon/Samyang/Bower lens. Since I may buy a Nikon body later, I’m wondering whether it makes more sense to buy the Nikon F-mount version now and use it on Micro Four Thirds with a Nikon-to-MFT adapter, rather than buying the native MFT version.
Are these versions optically the same apart from the mount, or are there drawbacks to adapting the Nikon version on MFT?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
3
For the most part, aside from the added instability and possible added variance in adapter thickness when stacking adapters, you're correct, but there are exceptions.
Not all the Samyang lenses for mft are identical to their dSLR counterparts. Samyang does make two lenses that were specifically designed for mirrorless mounts and do not work on dSLRs, and they are considerably more compact than dSLR counterparts: the 7.5mm f/3.5 (or in the case of NEX/Fuji X/EOS M 8mm f/2.8) fisheye and the 12mm f/2 wide angle prime.
The 7mm f/3.5 fisheye lens has a completely different optical design than the APS-C dSLR Samyang 8mm f/3.5 fisheye. While the APS-C version maps stereographically and is dSLR sized, the mirrorless version does the more normal equisolid fisheye mapping, has much better flare control, and in comparison it is tiny:
Since most folks get into mirrorless to have a smaller kit, then a smaller native lens obviously has an advantage over the larger adapted lens in terms of being a "better fit" with the system.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Usually, a Nikon-mount Samyang/Rokinon adapted to Micro Four Thirds will work fine, and the main tradeoffs are practical: the adapter adds another connection point, which can mean a little more play/instability and possible tolerance issues if adapter thickness is slightly off.
But they are not always the same lens with a different mount. Some Samyang lenses made for mirrorless systems are completely different optical designs from their DSLR versions. Examples mentioned by the community are the 7.5mm f/3.5 fisheye for MFT and the 12mm f/2 mirrorless wide-angle, which are designed specifically for mirrorless bodies and are more compact than the DSLR versions.
So the answer depends on the specific lens:
- If the MFT and Nikon versions are truly the same optical design, adapting the Nikon version is mostly a convenience/handling question.
- If the MFT version is a mirrorless-specific design, it may be smaller and optically different, so buying the native MFT version can be the better choice.
Check the exact lens model before deciding.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI11y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can you use shift lenses on Micro Four Thirds, and can Sony E-mount lenses be adapted for it?
For an ultrawide Micro Four Thirds setup, is a speed booster with full-frame glass better than a native lens?
Which lens mounts retain the most functionality when adapted to Micro Four Thirds?
Can Micro Four Thirds-mount Rokinon Cine DS lenses be used on a full-frame camera?
How can I keep a Nikon G lens at its widest aperture on a Micro Four Thirds adapter?