The photographic landscape of 2014 saw the introduction of numerous lenses, ranging from common DSLR zoom options to intriguing prime lenses designed for both full-frame and APS-C cameras. While major manufacturers like Canon, Sony, and Nikon released their own notable focal lengths, other brands such as Tamron, Rokinon, and Sigma dared to venture into more unconventional territory. For photographers seeking something beyond the ordinary, these distinctive offerings from a decade ago can still provide significant creative advantages, making them worthy of re-evaluation today.
Among these overlooked gems is the Rokinon 8mm f2.8 Fisheye II, a manual focus lens perfect for highly creative photographic endeavors. Comprising 11 elements in 8 groups, this lens is specifically tailored for APS-C cameras. Its design boasts a wide open aperture and a close focusing distance of 30cm, all while maintaining a remarkably lightweight profile at just 275g. The Rokinon excels in various aspects, including its impressive performance in low-light environments, its accurate color reproduction, and its robust construction. Furthermore, it is engineered to minimize lens flare, ensuring cleaner images. As a fisheye lens, it captures an expansive field of view, providing ample detail for landscape and interior photography. Beyond its practical applications, the unique fisheye effect can transform everyday subjects, making it an excellent choice for distinct portraits or dynamic concert photography, where an artistic touch is desired.
Another fascinating lens from 2014 is the Samsung 45mm f1.8 2D/3D, which uniquely integrates both two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging capabilities. In its conventional 2D mode, the lens captures standard photographs. However, when switched to 3D mode, a secondary dual LCD shutter system engages, effectively blocking one of the optical paths and creating two subtly different images on the sensor simultaneously. This innovative feature allows for the creation of stereoscopic images. Designed for the NX mount, this lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m and features 7 elements arranged in 6 groups. Its strengths lie in a smooth focusing mechanism, a straightforward optical design, and the production of exceptionally pleasing bokeh. Images captured with this lens exhibit excellent color fidelity, and its autofocus system performs swiftly in most shooting conditions, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of photographic genres.
Finally, the Lomography 85mm Petzval Lens, a remarkable optic designed for DSLR cameras, stands out for its distinctive visual characteristics. Key features include a 44mm image circle, manual focus operation, and a close focusing distance of 1m. It also accommodates a 58mm filter thread. The lens is particularly celebrated for its signature swirly bokeh, which adds an artistic flair to backgrounds, alongside its excellent color rendition and impressive sharpness in the focal plane. The build quality of the lens is another compelling reason for its consideration. As previously noted in reviews, the Petzval lens's color accuracy rivals even high-end lenses, particularly in rendering skin tones, producing surprisingly vibrant and faithful hues. These attributes collectively contribute to its appeal for photographers seeking a lens that imparts a unique, classic aesthetic to their work.
These three lenses from 2014 demonstrate that innovation and unique optical designs are not solely the domain of major manufacturers. The Rokinon 8mm f2.8 Fisheye II, Samsung 45mm f1.8 2D/3D, and Lomography 85mm Petzval Lens each offer distinct photographic experiences that can enrich a photographer's toolkit. Their specialized features, from creative distortion to stereoscopic imaging and classic bokeh, provide opportunities to capture images with a unique character that stands apart from standard contemporary optics. For those willing to explore beyond the mainstream, these lenses offer a compelling blend of artistic potential and robust performance, proving that some photographic tools only grow more interesting with time.
