Samyang Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens for Nikon F Review
The Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 delivers sharp images and a super-wide view for Nikon APS-C, but you'll be focusing by hand. It's a budget-friendly specialist lens.
Overview
So you're looking at the Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 for your Nikon APS-C camera. It's a super wide prime that gives you a 15mm full-frame equivalent field of view. That's seriously wide, perfect for cramming a whole scene into the frame or getting creative with perspective.
This is a manual focus lens, which is a deal-breaker for some and a feature for others. It's built for Nikon F mount DSLRs with APS-C sensors, so it won't cover a full-frame sensor. Just know what you're getting into before you click buy.
Performance
The optics are the star here, landing in the 81st percentile. That means sharpness and clarity are genuinely good for the price, especially in the center. The f/2.8 aperture is decently bright for a lens this wide, letting in enough light for indoor shots or astrophotography. But the autofocus and build quality percentiles are low, at 47th and 20th respectively. You're focusing by hand, and the lens feels a bit plasticky and isn't weather-sealed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (81th percentile) 98th
- Strong macro (69th percentile) 84th
Cons
- Below average build (20th percentile) 18th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle |
| Focal Length Min | 10 |
| Focal Length Max | 10 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 240 |
Value & Pricing
At around $299, it's a solid value if you specifically need this ultra-wide focal length and don't mind manual focus. You're paying for the glass, not the frills. For a sharp, wide prime, it's hard to beat at this price point. Just don't expect any luxury features.
vs Competition
This lens is in a different league than the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or Meike 55mm f/1.8. Those are standard or portrait primes with autofocus. If you need autofocus and a more versatile focal length, look at those. But if you need width, this Rokinon is your pick. Compared to other ultra-wide options for Nikon APS-C, it's often cheaper than first-party lenses, trading autofocus and build for a lower price and still-good optics.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens for Nikon F | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 10mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 581 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this if you shoot landscapes, real estate, interiors, or creative wide-angle shots on a Nikon APS-C DSLR and you're comfortable with manual focus. It's a specialist tool. Avoid it if you need autofocus for events or video, if you want a rugged travel lens, or if you plan to upgrade to a full-frame Nikon Z camera down the line.