Ultra-wide Primes FTW

It's funny, at the start of my trip to Whistler a few weeks ago, I was actually thinking about selling this lens as soon as I got home. I haven't been a fan of prime lenses in the past- despite owning half a dozen- as it's hard to visualize MTB shots with a fixed focal length.

That said, an ultra-wide prime is the shit... damn, this lens is slowly turning into my favorite. I bought the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2 (with AF) for around $200'ish, and I love it. AF is legit, the F/2 is nice to have in crappy lighting situations, and it's pretty damn crisp too. I ended up taking some of my favorite MTB images of the last few years on the trip with this lens (I also shot with the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8).

https://photos.smugmug.com/Clients/C...24.2-38-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/Clients/C...24.2-35-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/Clients/C...24.2-24-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/Clients/C...24.2-20-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/Clients/C...24.2-28-XL.jpg

Is this 12mm on a full frame? What aperture are you using in the shots? Some look brightly-lit and like you would be at a smaller aperture anyways. I used a Fuji 16mm F1.4 on a crop a lot. I find wide angle harder to compose for, but when you get it right you tend to have a more dynamic and interesting image.

12mm on a crop sensor (Sony A6600). A couple of those definitely had good light, just using them to show composition more than low light.

I actually have that lens but with no AF, and have never used it for this type of photography. It really shows the steepness and the setting

Those look great! I think it's always interesting to see shots that aren't the normal long lens type action shots. It puts you in the scene more when you go so wide.

Cool thread. I have a Rok 14mm manual focus for my FF. Should break it out more for mtb/ski shots.

Fun shots!

Sometime a little used lens just finds its spot.