FYI, here's a deal on that expires in the next two (2) days. The Rokinon 24mm T/1.5, 35mm T/1.5, and 85mm T/1.5 Cine lenses are bundled for an extra savings or $250 dollars. Available in Canon, Nikon, and Sony E/A mounts, but they can easily be adapted to fit M4/3 cameras as well. As far as Rokinon Cine Lenses go, these are probably the most popular and the deal ends March 2nd. Check it out via B&H (found here)
Rokinon Cine Lens Bundle Deal 24mm, 35mm, 85mm T/1.5
Here's a side by side video test showing samples from a Panasonic GH3 with and without the new Lens Turbo Focal Reducer. We used a newer Rokinon 85mm T/1.5 Cine Lens [Nikon Mount] + and old Nikon 50mm Pancake. With the Lens Turbo adapter we were able to achieve a wider field of view and an increase in exposure.
Obviously YouTube has added compression to the video, but if you want to be a pixel peeper, you can download a better version of this edited video from my Vimeo Channel (here).
I think the image quality achieved from this (Speedbooster alternative) adapter delivered decent results for the price. The Metabones Speedbooster will run about $489 dollars (here), versus this Lens Turbo which can now be found under $139 US (here).
Of course we're just using a consumer grade Rokinon Cine Lens, and an old $50 dollar lens from eBay. There's no doubt this adapter won't match up to the quality of the Metabones products. Anyone using serious glass worth thousands of dollars might as well pony up the extra cash for the Metabones MFT M43 Speedbooster (found here).
Metabones SpeedBooster Nikon to M43 MFT
If you're a casual video shooter looking to get a wider field of view and increased light through your common glass, I think you'll be happy with the Lens Turbo. I'll probably go out and take a bunch of high resolution still images on the next outing, but for now let's hear a few comments about these first video test results. What did you guys think so far? [Comment]
For more info, you can find the Lens Turbo MFT Focal Reducer adapter available now via eBay (click here).
Lens Turbo Focal Reducer Nikon to MFT Micro Four Thirds Adapter
You've probably heard the news and seen the images, but here's a closer video look at putting together the new Shape Cage for the BlackMagic Pocket Camera. The BMPC simply drops into the Shape Cage and is locked in place by a rear sliding metal cover. So even if your system is completely rigged up, the camera can be removed from the cage.
Access to all buttons, menus, battery door / SD card, and ports are easily accessible. A very solid cold shoe above the Shape BMPC Cage can be used to mount heavy accessories (monitors, evf, audio) or to add a Shape Candy Handle. The SHAPE Cage for Blackmagic Pocket Camera can be purchased with or without the bottom 15mm rail adapter.
For more information about Shape products, check out their website at https://ShapeWLB.com, or follow the links below for information about these specific products.
Shape Cage (only) for BlackMagic Pocket Camera
Shape Cage for BlackMagic Pocket Camera + Top Handle + 15mm Rail Base
In this article, Keiko (of GearAddix) has helped put together a short video review of the new Rokinon 300mm F/6.3 Mirror Lens for micro-four thirds camera systems [Thanks Keiko]. If you're looking for that long zoom on a budget, this new mirror lens from Rokinon is a great option, and yes it will work on a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema camera as well.
Unlike traditional glass element lenses, the incoming light is reflected by a main mirror on the back towards a secondary mirror (located in the front), and back again towards the camera's sensor. By folding the light, these lenses can offer incredible distance while staying very compact and especially very lightweight.
Unfortunately this design also has a few disadvantages such as aperture control. This Rokinon 300mm mirror lens has a fixed F/6.3. This is the reason why an ND filter was required on an especially bright day. I guess that's not too much of a problem, as many DSLR shooters tend to carry ND filters nowadays.
B+W Static ND Filter
Tip: At this distance static ND filters are best to retain sharpness
Also, sharpness and contrast are typically just mediocre with mirror lenses, but i'm very surprised at how much this new Rokinon 300mm mirror lens retains. They've done a great job creating a very compact MFT lens that still retains sharpness, detail, color, and contrast.
Another prominent tell-tale sign of a Mirror Lens is an odd donut-like effect (white rings) that show up on out-of-focus highlights. While lenses with an aperture blade are capable of producing perfectly round highlights, Mirror lenses will create a round donut-like out of focus highlight as seen in the image below.
For a stylized effect there are groups who find this aesthetically interesting, when used with portraits (see example photos here).
Due to it's fixed aperture of F/6.3 optimal conditions are preferred (lots of light), and keep in mind these lenses do not offer image stabilization. Still, maybe not so much of a problem as many of today's M43 cameras are starting to add Image Stabilization at the sensor level.
Mirror lenses have been around for years, and are available in focal lengths past 1600mm. The most expensive of which still falls under just $300 bucks. That's a pretty amazing price for the distance you get, but obviously you have to consider if those mirror-lens 'differences' work for you. Find a few options below.
Variety of Rokinon Mirror Lenses - via eBay
So now that you've checked out this video review, and some of the other mirror lens image samples (found here), what do you guys think about Rokinon's latest 300mm F/6.3 Mirror Lens for Micro Four Thirds? Leave your comments below.
If you caught my recent video shot entirely on the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema, you'll probably find quite a few wide angle shots. That's because I tried very hard to include only native MFT lenses especially the Panasonic 7-14mm & Rokinon 8mm Fisheye.
For anyone looking to adapt non-MFT Lenses (without a speed booster) to the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, here's what it will look like through a full frame Canon 5D Mark II, Panasonic GH3, and BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
In other parts of the video a Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 was used throwing it somewhere close to the 600mm focal range. Since an ND Filter was not used, results were much sharper from the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
Judging from the distance of the 5D Mark II, the tripod was quite a distance away. Using the Rokinon 35mm and 85mm lenses, you can tell there is quite a crop factor to the smaller BMPC - more than you would get from a GH3. The BMPC has even more crop than from the original BlackMagic Cinema Camera. That's something to keep in mind if you plan to work in tight spaces. Invest in the right glass, or look for a Speed Booster / Focal Reducer (found here on eBay).
Products Used
 Canon 5D Mark II |
 Panasonic GH3 |
 BlackMagic Pocket Cinema |
 Rokinon 35mm |
 Rokinon 85mm |
Since the Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 had been released, i've kept a close eye on it. I haven't decided to pick it up just yet mainly because I was working with the Full Frame cameras. Now that i've been using the BlackMagic Design Cinema camera and Micro Four Thirds GH3, i'm finding this focal length is much needed.
Typically ranging $600+ dollars, today there is a discount for the Samyang branded version for just $499. That's a pretty decent price for this lens. Sale is for the next couple of weeks, and you can check it out via B&H (click here).
Samyang 24mm F/1.4 Discount Price
Here's a recent video from Vimeo member Jason Shelton put together with the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera. He had the opportunity to shoot with the new BMCC for a week and used the following lenses: Tamron 18mm-270mm, Rokinon 24mm 1.4, Rokinon 35mm 1.4, Rokinon 85mm 1.4, and Canon 200mm 2.8.
The BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera was announced in April 2012 (last year) and is still on backorder with every retail store. There are quite a few consistently listed to auction via eBay, but just be prepared to pay a bit more than the $2995 suggested retail price. Check out the listings via eBay (click here).
BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera In Stock
Anyone thinking about investing in a set of Rokinon Cine Lenses could save a few bucks if purchased in one of the Rokinon Cine Lens Bundled Deals. Also a nice way to save with an organized group buy. Available bundles include variations of the Rokinon 85mm T/1.5, 35mm T/1.5, 24mm T/1.5, and 14mm T/3.1. Check out the three different offerings via eBay (click here).
Rokinon Cine Lens Kits - Bundled Deals
Rokinon Cine Lenses - via eBay Right Now
If you're looking for a lightweight Carbon Fiber Monopod, here's a great deal. This Rokinon Carbon Fiber 5 section monopod is selling for just $39 + FREE SHIPPING (USA domestic). If you want to throw a monopod into your airline carry on bag, 21" is about the max length you should be looking for. This Rokinon is perfect since it can collapse down to just 18", yet extends to a max height of 65" inches. I've looked around for other deals, but could not find this type of minimum-maximum range in another Carbon Fiber Monopod at this price. It's worth taking a look at. Includes: carrying case for easy hands free transporting. Check it out via eBay (Click here).
Rokinon 65" Carbon Fiber Monopod with Carrying Case
