Samyang 8mm f/3.8 - or f/3.5?

[Tim L]

Planning on getting the 8mm Samyang - but which would make more sense?

f/3.5
Amazon.com Samyang SYHD8M-N 8mm f 3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood for Nikon Camera Lenses Camera Photo

t/3.8
Amazon.com Samyang Cine SYHD8MV-N HD 8mm t 3.8 Fisheye Lens with De-Clicked Aperture and Removable Hood Fixed Lens for Nikon DX Cameras Camera Photo


I got a D3100 and I haven't been doing a lot of videoing, close to none, so I was wondering if the F-increase (0.3) affect low light situations as to a point where it matters to an amateur-photographer ?

I will mainly be shooting time lapse pictures and skate videos, eventually concert/festival pictures when summer comes, and it seems that the T/3.8 version is almost 90 bucks more, at least in Denmark - is it worth it? I know I got the aperture ring with the T/3.8 edition, but do I really need it that bad?

Also, D3100 is 1.5x (DX). so both lenses would be 100% compatible, right?


Appreciate advise, comments and alternatives

 

[480sparky]

The aperture difference is negligible for all practical purposes. The biggest difference is one lens is 'de-clicked'. This means the aperture ring turns smoothly with no clicks, or detents, at full- and half-stops. This has its advantages for video for smooth, uninterrupted changing of aperture while recording video.

 

[tirediron]

They're both de-clicked, but only one (the cheaper one) specifically states it's for a DX body.

 

[480sparky]

I see only one is declicked.

Samyang Optics Lenses for Camera Cine Photo - VDSLR Prime Lenses Third party Lenses
is not,

Samyang Optics Lenses for Camera Cine Photo - VDSLR Prime Lenses Third party Lenses
is.

 

[tirediron]

I was going by the Amazon ads; they both mention it being 'de-clicked', but you're right Samyang's own page doesn't, and it wouldn't be the first time an Amazon ad wasn't 100% correct.

 

[480sparky]

The first link only uses the word click in reference to links. I see nothing on it about the lens being declicked.

 

[tirediron]

Hmmm... we mebbe could be looking at something different. I just noticed when I click it, I'm automatically re-routed to Amazon.ca, vice .com. The last bullet point for link one when I click it is:
"Seamless aperture shifting from t3.8-t22; With High Definition Optics, De-Clicked Aperture and Follow Focus Compatibility and Removable Hood" And yes, I see the text reads, "t.3.8" but the image clearly shows 3.5.

 

[480sparky]

Here's what I get:

Amazon.com Samyang SYHD8M-N 8mm f 3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood for Nikon Camera Lenses Camera Photo

 

[tirediron]

Okay, for some reason, it's taking me to a totally different listing. Nebermind....

 

[Tim L]

Would that be a huge turn-off for videoing? I've never come across a lens that was "clicked"

My standard 18-55 turns smooth, while my 35mm has like tiny dents when you turn it, but it still feels smooth to me. Is it like big and solid "clicks" that would interfere with the video in such a way that it would be obvious when watching the video?

 

[480sparky]

The vast majority of lenses (especially for DSLR and SLRs) are, by default, 'clicked'. Meaning, they have a slight 'click' when they reach a full stop, and many will do so at half-stops as well. This holds the aperture ring in place better than a 'declicked' or 'cine' lens.

We're not referring to the focus or zoom rings here. We're talking about aperture rings, with the numbers such as 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 etc. on them. Such rings are not common on many modern lenses from the main-stream manufacturers like Nikon and Canon.

A 'normal' aperture ring would make exposure changes using it much more difficult during recording. It also would be audible if you were using the camera's on-board microphone.

 

[Tim L]

Oh, I see. Well, I can't connect a microphone to my D3100, so the T/3.8 version sounds like I'd suit me.

This seems to be the cheapest alternative I have.
Amazon.com Rokinon RK8MV-N 8mm T3.8 Cine Fisheye Lens for Nikon Video DSLR with Declicked Aperture Digital Slr Camera Lenses Camera Photo

Appreciate all the help

 

[wfooshee]

I have the Nikon version of the Rokinon 8mm 3.5, the same lens as the Samyang. I can confirm that its aperture ring clicks, like a photographer would want.

I can see that a videographer wants a de-clicked aperture ring, but I can't imagine trying to view video shot with a fish-eye. The distortion shifting the image as the camera moves would make me queasy, I think. A fisheye is not a just a very wide-angle lens.....

 

[480sparky]

Fish-eyes are very common to use for vids.

Used correctly, they're the right tool for the job.... just like any other lens.




Incredible Timelapse Video of the Night Sky Recorded Using a Fisheye Lens Colossal

 

[wfooshee]

Yeah, that was as I expected, I couldn't watch it. 30 seconds and I was literally queasy...