Tilt-Shift Lens Comparison: Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 vs Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Ron Martinsen compared the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC vs the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, two tilt-shift lenses with a huge price difference: around $989 for the Rokinon, $2000 for the Canon. About the Rokinon’s build quality he says: the Rokinon didn’t feel like a cheap lens. It has more substance and quality feel than a typical Canon EF-S lens.

In the conclusion Ron writes:

My overall conclusion was that you have to look pretty hard to see the differences, so the Rokinon impressed me quite a bit. Really all that I could fault the Rokinon for was a seemingly inferior bokeh and the fact that it was a little darker.  Sure, the Rokinon controls are garbage but they work so if you are gentle on your gear it should probably be fine. Image quality wise I’d call it “as good as” Canon.

Be sure to check out Ron’s blog for more samples.

Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Product descriptions after the jump.

Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC product description (from B&H’s product page):

The Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Lens for Canon from Rokinon is a wide-angle, full-frame lens fitted with the perspective control and tilt-shift functions. A tilt-shift lens allows the user to control perspective and correct convergence of lines within your frame, useful especially in architecture, landscape and product photography. The optical tilt mechanisms enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control. It is compatible with both digital and film formats with an angle of view of 83.5º and on an APS-C size sensor has an angle of view of 56.9º and focal length equivalent of 38.4mm.

The tilt-shift function on the 24mm f/3.5 lens allows adjustment of the focal plane by an angle of +/-8.5º and enables parallel shift of the optical axis by +/-12mm. The tilt-shift section of the lens rotates left 90º (click-stop adjustment each 30º) and the lens mount can rotate left or right by 90º (click-stop adjustment each 30º).

The lens is comprised of 16 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical lenses and two Enhanced Dispersion (ED) lenses, which reduce aberrations and provide sharp details and accurate color separation. Multi-layered, anti-reflective UMC coating on each lens element allow even light transmission, minimizing flares and ghosting.

24mm Full-Frame Prime Lens

Focal length equivalent when using lens on APS-C format camera is 38.4mm

Tilt/Shift functions allow for precise perspective and depth of field control

Aspherical and Enhanced Dispersion lens elements minimize aberrations for sharp resolution and accurate colors

UMC coating on lens elements provides even light transmission and minimizes reflections, flare and ghosting

 

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II product description (from B&H’s product page):

For discerning architectural photographers, there is great need for wide angle lenses. Tilt and shift movements, features normally found on large format cameras, can be bestowed upon a smaller format of camera with a lens such as this wide Canon 24mm f/3.5L II TS-E Lens.

Being a Canon “L” lens, by definition it is a premium Canon optic. The 24mm TS-E has several distinct elements that make it stand apart from more common glass. Firstly, designers integrated a set of physical controls that allow users to rotate the direction of the tilt and shift independently of one another. Secondly, there is ±8.5° of tilt and ±12mm of shift that gives photographers ample ability to correct for perspective when taking images of interior or exterior spaces, and landscapes.

EF mount lens is compatible with all Canon EOS cameras

Wide image circle of 67.2mm is 50% greater than 35mm/full frame film area

High precision glass (16 elements/11 groups) for low distortion and high resolution to the edge of the image

Tilt and shift mechanism rotates ±90° allowing shift in any direction

Tilt mechanism rotates ±90° allowing tilt in any direction relative to the shift

One Aspherical and three UD lens elements minimize chromatic aberration

Sub-wavelength structure and super-spectra coatings minimize ghosting and flare

Circular aperture for creative, blurred highlights