I recently got my hands on the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens, and I'm impressed. The weight distribution feels balanced, making it comfortable to handle. The smooth aperture ring rotation is a delight, and the premium look and feel exude confidence. The lens caps are a nice touch, too. What really caught my attention, though, is the excellent bokeh performance – the 11-bladed diaphragm produces stunning results. Overall, I'd give it a outstanding rating. If you're looking for a high-quality lens for cinematic footage, this one's worth exploring further to see how it can elevate your production quality.
Key Takeaways
- The Rokinon Xeen 20mm Lens offers excellent image quality with minimal distortion and sharpness across the frame.
- The lens features a 200-degree focus throw and 11-bladed diaphragm for smooth cinematic focus pulls and bokeh.
- Its sturdy aluminum body provides a premium look and feel, with a solid build quality for durability and confidence.
- The lens is compatible with multiple mounts and includes essential accessories for lens maintenance and protection.
- The Xeen 20mm lens offers competitive pricing for professional-grade features, making it a cost-effective solution for cinematographers.
Weight Distribution Feels Balanced
As I held the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens in my hands, I was impressed by its balanced weight distribution. The aluminum body feels solid and sturdy, and the tripod mount adds stability without making the lens feel too heavy or cumbersome.
What We Liked
The Rokinon Xeen 20mm's weight distribution feels impressively balanced, making it comfortable to handle and maneuver during extended shoots. This is particularly notable given its aluminum body and generous focus throw. I was pleased to find that the lens's 2.6-pound weight was evenly distributed, allowing me to focus on capturing the perfect shot without fatigue.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Aluminum body | Durable and lightweight |
| Unified focus, aperture gears, and T-stop scale positions | Easy to use and integrate with other equipment |
| Large, easy-to-read markings | Quick and accurate adjustments |
| 11 bladed diaphragm | Smooth, rounded bokeh and increased depth of field |
What Can Be Improved
Finally, while the Rokinon Xeen 20mm's balanced weight distribution is a significant advantage, I did encounter some areas where this lens could be improved to make it an even more formidable tool for cinematographers.
One area I'd like to see improved is the tripod mount. Although it's sturdy, I found it a bit tricky to attach and detach the lens from my tripod. A more intuitive design would be welcome.
Additionally, I think the focus ring could be slightly more responsive, especially when making precise adjustments.
To conclude, while the lens is compatible with full-frame cameras, I'd love to see more lens profiles available for color grading and correction software. These tweaks would elevate the Xeen 20mm to the next level.
Quick Verdict
I'm impressed by the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens's ability to deliver exceptional cinematic results without breaking the bank. As a professional, I appreciate the attention to detail that Rokinon has brought to this lens.
The durable aluminum body, large and easy-to-read markings, and long focus throw make it a joy to use. The 11-bladed diaphragm and unified focus, aperture gear, and T-stop scale positions guarantee that I can achieve precise control over my shots.
The affordable pricing is the cherry on top, making it an accessible option for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality cine lens without the hefty price tag.
Smooth Aperture Ring Rotation
Rotating the aperture ring on the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens is a silky-smooth experience that allows me to make precise adjustments with ease.
The aperture ring is designed with a long focus throw, which provides a 200-degree rotation range. This means I can make subtle changes to the aperture setting without having to worry about accidental jumps.
The ring's smooth motion also helps me to achieve a more precise control over the aperture, resulting in better-exposed footage.
The unified T-stop scale positions and aperture gear make it easy to work with, and the large, easy-to-read markings make sure that I can quickly identify the desired setting.
Premium Look and Feel
The Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens exudes a premium look and feel, thanks to its sturdy aluminum body and sleek design, which inspires confidence and professionalism.
As I hold it in my hands, I'm impressed by its solid build quality, which suggests a lens that can withstand the rigors of frequent use.
The large, easy-to-read markings and unified focus, aperture gear, and T-stop scale positions add to its premium feel.
The lens's 114mm front diameter, compatible with matte boxes, further reinforces its professional-grade features.
Lens Caps Included
As I unboxed the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens, I was pleased to find that it comes with lens caps included. These caps are essential for protecting the lens from scratches and dust when not in use.
I appreciate that the manufacturer has thoughtfully provided these extras, along with detailed specifications, documentation, and a user guide to help me get started with my new lens.
Specifications
I'm diving into the specs of the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens, and I'm pleased to find that it comes with lens caps included, which is a thoughtful touch for a pro-grade cinema lens. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty details.
Here are some key specs that caught my attention:
- Aluminum body: Built to last, this lens is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use.
- Long focus throw: With a 200-degree focus throw, you'll have plenty of room to finesse your focus.
- Unified gear positions: The focus, aperture, and T-stop scales are all aligned, making it easy to work with a follow focus or other accessories.
These specs suggest a lens that's built for serious cinematography.
Documentation and User Guide
I appreciate that Rokinon includes a detailed user guide and documentation with the Xeen 20mm lens, which helps me get acquainted with its features and operations quickly.
The documentation provides a thorough overview of the lens's specifications, including its technical details, mounting options, and compatibility with various camera systems.
The user guide is well-organized and easy to follow, making it simple to understand how to use the lens's features, such as the aperture and focus rings.
Additionally, the documentation includes helpful tips and tricks for getting the most out of the lens.
Features – What We Found
Durability and functionality converge in the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens, which boasts an impressive array of features that make it an attractive option for professional cinematographers.
I was impressed by the lens's aluminum body, which provides a sturdy foundation for the lens's complex mechanics.
The inclusion of a tripod mount is a thoughtful touch, allowing for seamless integration with existing rigs.
The large, easy-to-read markings make it simple to adjust settings on the fly.
I also appreciated the long focus throw, which provides a high degree of precision when adjusting focus.
Excellent Bokeh Performance
With its 11-bladed diaphragm, the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens produces a stunning bokeh that adds a professional touch to my footage.
I'm impressed by how smoothly the aperture blades shift from in-focus to out-of-focus areas, creating a creamy, dreamy effect.
The bokeh is particularly noticeable when shooting wide open at T1.9, where the lens truly shines.
I've found that the bokeh performance is consistent across various lighting conditions, from bright daylight to dimly lit interiors.
Rating
Overall, I'd rate the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, considering its impressive performance, build quality, and value for the price.
This lens has exceeded my expectations in many areas, from its beautiful bokeh to its smooth and accurate focusing.
The aluminum body and large, easy-to-read markings make it a pleasure to use.
While it may not be perfect, the minor flaws are far outweighed by its strengths.
For the price, I think it's an incredible value.
If you're in the market for a high-quality cine lens, I'd highly recommend giving the Rokinon Xeen 20mm a serious look.
It's definitely a top contender in its class.
Concluding Thoughts
After putting the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens through its paces, I'm convinced that it's a game-changer for indie filmmakers and videographers on a budget.
This lens checks all the right boxes: it's affordable, robust, and delivers exceptional image quality. The aluminum body and unified focus, aperture, and T-stop scale positions make it a joy to use.
The 11-bladed diaphragm and 200-degree focus throw guarantee smooth, cinematic focus pulls. With its compatibility with multiple mounts, it's a versatile addition to any kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rokinon Xeen 20MM Lens Compatible Withaps-C Cameras?
"Yes, I've checked, and the Rokinon Xeen 20mm lens is compatible with full-frame cameras, but it's also compatible with APS-C cameras, although you'll get a 30mm equivalent focal length."
What Is the Minimum Focus Distance of This Lens?
Notably, this lens has a generous 200-degree focus throw, allowing for precise adjustments. Regarding the minimum focus distance, I've found that it's approximately 11 inches (28 cm) for the Rokinon Xeen 20mm T1.9 Pro Cinema Lens.
Can I Use This Lens for Astrophotography?
"I've got my eye on the stars Can I use this lens for astrophotography? Absolutely, its 20mm focal length and wide T1.9 aperture make it perfect for capturing celestial beauty."
Is the Lens Weather-Sealed or Resistant to Moisture?
'As I explore the core of this lens, I find no shelter from the storm – it's not weather-sealed or moisture-resistant, leaving it vulnerable to the elements, much like an exposed film reel in a rainstorm.'
Does the Lens Come With a Hard Case or Storage Box?
"I'm looking at the Rokinon Xeen 20mm T1.9 Pro Cinema Lens specs, and I don't see a hard case or storage box included. You'll need to purchase one separately to protect your investment."
Conclusion
To sum up, the Rokinon Xeen 20mm T1.9 Pro Cinema Lens exceeded my expectations, delivering stunning image quality and a premium feel.
Some may think it's pricey, but trust me, the investment is worth it – the results speak for themselves.
With its exceptional bokeh performance and smooth aperture ring rotation, this lens is a game-changer for cinematographers.
It's a worthy addition to any kit, and I'm confident it'll become a go-to for many shoots to come.
