The 18mm-full-frame-equivalent focal-length of this lens is just a little too wide for my current tastes. The reason why I employ the Rokinon 12mm f/2 lens less frequently now is because of the focal-length. It has nothing to do with the quality of the glass, which is quite good, especially considering how inexpensive this lens is. However, as time went on, I used the lens less-and-less.

When I once again got a Fujifilm interchangeable-lens camera, I regularly attached the Rokinon lens to it. Even though I didn’t have a camera to attach it to, I kept the Rokinon 12mm. Not too long later I sold my X-E1 to buy an X100F. Once I got a few vintage primes, the zoom lens was utilized less frequently (I’m not a big fan of zooms, even though Fujifilm does have some excellent options), and I soon sold it off. I had the Fujinon 18-55mm f2.8-f/4 and this Rokinon 12mm f/2, and I used them about equally. Five years ago I used this lens regularly. Despite being the first, it’s one of my least-used lenses today. It’s the oldest lens in my lineup (not including the many vintage lenses I’ve acquired…). The Rokinon 12mm f/2 NCS CS was the very first prime lens that I purchased for my Fujifilm X-E1 when I was just getting into the Fuji system ( you can read my review of it here). This is the first “Why I Love…” article that features a third-party lens.

Rokinon 12mm fuji startrail