Sample Images - Konica Minolta 17-35mm f/2.8

I took my newly acquired Konica Minolta 17-35mm f/2.8 wide angle lens with me to Seoul today and took it out of the bag long enough to snap a few sample photos with it.

Sample images shot with a Sony A99.

Please refer to my previous blog entry for more information - http://felixgphoto.blogspot.kr/2015/08/konica-minolta-17-35mm-f28-good.html

Konica Minolta 17-35mm f/2.8

Konica Minolta 17-35mm f/2.8 - A Good Alternative to Sony Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8

I have been searching high and low for a solution to my wide angle woes. I started out with a Sigma 16-35 something or other and that sucked donkey balls. Then I picked up a Tokina 11-16mm which is ok but it's not full frame. So then I tried a few Minolta's including the 28mm and the 20mm, the 20mm being the better of the two but not a stellar performer.

I've been trying to avoid spending $1500 on the Sony Zeiss 16-35mm, I just can't continue to buy thousand dollar lenses. Which is why I was truly relieved to find the Konica Minolta 17-35mm f/2.8 full frame lens.

I bought this one used for around $300 and it is in excellent condition. I just got it today and only had the chance to shoot a quick photo of my little office area in my army barracks room. More to come...

Rokinon 14mm Wide Angle Lens - First Impressions

I was quite excited to get my new Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens, as I am with each of my new camera-related acquisitions, and wanted to post a few images and give you my first impressions.

Firstly, the lens looks to be extremely well built and sturdy. It is fairly compact, not too long in length, not too wide. It comes in a nice package and includes a felt soft case. It fits snuggly onto my Sony A99 and the manual focus ring is smooth and quiet.

I just received it yesterday and only had the chance so far to snap a few photos in my army barracks room here at Camp Casey, Korea. I'll take it out into the world this weekend. Check back for more pics.

Price $279 (eBay)

The interior of my army barracks room at Camp Casey, South Korea

Shot with Sony A99 and Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 wide angle lens

Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens

Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens

Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens

Sample image shot with Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens

New Lens - Rokinon 14mm

I hope, I think, I believe I have finally found a suitable lens for wide angle photos for my full-frame Sony A99. I already have a few wide angle lenses but I haven't been totally happy with them and several of them are not compatible with the full-frame A99, such as with my Tokina 11-16mm which is for cropped sensor cameras like my A77. It will work with my A99 but only when I'm fully zoomed in at 16mm.

I also have a couple of nice Minolta lenses but they are at 20mm and 28mm respectively and while the Zeiss 24-70mm is a good all around lens that I've captured some nice landscapes with, I really want something just a little bit wider without breaking the bank.

I stumbled across a pretty good deal on eBay today for a used Rokinon 14mm lens. The seller had it listed for $279 USD (buy it now), I found it too difficult to resist and went ahead and bought it, my decision helped with the knowledge that brand new ones go for around $500 USD.

Here are a few photos of the actual lens. As always, I'll be sure to share some images as soon as I get it in my hands!

Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens