Another short snippet looking back in time… watching the night take over the day!
150shots /Winters/2012
D700 – 24mm – F2.8 – ISO200
Nikon D700
Samyang 14mm F2.8 – Nikon Mount – ED AS IF UMC
16.01.15, London –Ā Samyang 14mm F2.8 ED AS IF UMC Ultra Wide Angle Lens on the Nikon FX Mount. After using 24-70 F2.8mm and going wide with 20mm F2.8 I wanted to go even wider to the widest possible and that was pushing me to the 14mm. I didn’t have the budget neither a wish to put that much into a lens which would not see the light of the day in regular use and not be used extensively to be given a price of a Nikon ultra wides. I decided to move off the Nikon to give myself a chance to try something different.
With the valid reasons that ultra wide justifies you more in the travel scenarios and ultra wide scenarios which works awesome on the big MegaPixels guzzlers like Nikon D800\D800E\D810. I took a jump and ordered the new Samyang 14mm F2.8 via Amazon UK and it was sharp for a normal delivery cycle. Second day on the Free delivery is a good service. It didn’t put a hole in my savings as it was moderately priced for a wide angle F2.8. It is nearly 1/5th price of a Nikon F2.8. I will not call it a downside if you are using manual on such wide angle as you are possibly not going to do action shots that requires you to sharp focus on the moving objects. I have grown up through the ages as a child using the manual focus lenses and it doesn’t stops me from going back to Manual focus again. It is a old school thought but in all honesty that price makes me have a kick and put it to the test.
On the first impressions, out of the box – It is a very good quality light and solidly put together lens. The petal hood is plastic but well covered in its shell to avoid any damages to the lens. I do love the way you feel when you hold it. Here is the small unboxing video of it.
In terms of sharpness and quality of the images – there is indeed a flaw around the lines. You do not get the same straight lines but that is the case in all the ultra wide angle lenses. Here is the sample image at F2.8 without any editting and straight from the sensor of 36mpx D810.
With low to medium light I do not find this lens to be any problems with Fringing. I would certainly see a different aspect when I would have to test this in the sunny day against the fringing. There is a slight moderation with edges that they are not sharp as you would expect them to be but if you look in the image above in its full resoltion I do not find this to be an issue in my perspective. Also the FX sensors offers huge potential to crop your image to the likings. Looking at the sharpness perspective if you look at the sign posts – there lines and the sharpness of the text is as clear as you would like it to be. The lens weighs in at 530gms for Nikon mount. Canon mount is 552gms.
In terms of using this lens for video\Cine use there is another version which is similar or actually less than the price of the photo lens and the difference is in the focus ring on cine is different and it is measured in T points instead of F point.
Happy to answer any questions you may have and feel free to share the article and give me thumbs up if you liked the video or needs any additional inputs.
Human Conundrum
Isn’t it true? – we just follow the masses blindly, the identity to belong is extinct or just a limited quantity with those who can believe in themselves.
The Human Conundrum of this extinction.
The Purpose
The bigger purpose is not to question but to accept and take where you are. You may not know but it may lead you to something you have not seen, done and experienced before. Go ahead and open yourself to the unseen, unknown and unexpected.
Love life for it has no bigger purpose then to make you learn.
Cambridge, England.
A day when the weather god decided to show us the warmest day of the year. It generally is cold, windy and dull so it was a change for a good reason to step out. What better idea than to step out on a bicycle and head further to Cambridge. Not that I was going to ride bicycle all the way but carry the bicycle into the train and head for a ride local in Cambridge and a special reason to meet an old friend – Romesh Bhattacharji.
So once the bicycle was in the train it was a straight journey with half a dozen stops leading me to Cambridge.
Cambridge at this time of the year is quiet and not so vividly busy as you would expect it to be. But what sets Cambridge apart from all other big cities is – It is a hub for student, universities and atmosphere full of youth. Known for its universities you know what to expect – lots of bicycles, plenty of students and young energetic faces all across.
Bicycling through Cambridge is a different compared to bicycling in London. It is easier, relaxed and lot more enjoyable.
Away from the main city in the little farther corner lies this beautiful garden.
Through the little path between the maple trees it takes me to the bridge over the river Cambs.
Once I was across the River Cambs, I met my old friend who is an author to his book written from 40years travels in Indian Himalayas. There is a special connection between us that kept us together through the times. I met him 2006 and since past 6years we have had several such meetings where we talk endlessly about our never dying lust of himalayas.
Briefly over a small catchup we decided to walk back into the main city and have some little walk around the city.
Oh we met the Superman of the modern day š They are cool and candid – these ones came in different sizes.
& then they went on to “Save the Children”.
Ah there was even a hint of Italians. They are all over the Lambretta’s and vepsa’s.
To add it with even more colours there is a life of Folks(Just left to Museums) now.
Tired as it was so warm that it felt like we were somewhere away from Britain. Normally to see theĀ temperatureĀ soar at 28C is quite rare. So we decided to head back in to the hotel and take a little breather. Also have lunch before our round 2 at Cambridge walk through the streets.
No wonders why Cambridge is so delightfully peaceful and attractive destination for students. It is perfect with itsĀ ambiance to make the whole environment work together when it comes to dedicated students.
There was enough time for us to brain storm some of our knowledge quotient. I love getting to know these little secrets that gives me something to believe in. Something that Facebook and Google doesn’t provide us on its own. I love to know that the real east and the real west in England is not exactly the real directions but rather just mapped references.
Yet the knowledge shared is much more to my memory that we need to share and learn. People who believe in knowledge must know that it must be passed on. A gift only few can give as in this materialistic world it is all about money.
Away from the photos and words – it was a time to take a break.
I will return to share the Puntings of Cambridge in the next post.
Thanks for your read and enjoying the photos.
FreeBirD 