Emailed Samyang- the word is that this lens was NOT designed for Follow Focus gear usage at all- otherwise the focus ring would have been less dampened.
Just thought everyone should know- BTW: there is some more information from Samyang- however I have to double check if I can share... ; )
@Alexauwa The major difference in Rokinon's Canon and Nikon versions is that the focus ring rotates in opposite directions, consistent with lenses made by Canon and Nikon. If you want a lens whose focus ring rotates in the same direction as Panasonic Lumix lenses, get the Canon version of the Rokinon 35mm f1.4. I got the Nikon version of the Rokinon because its reversed focus ring rotation works the way I prefer with the TrusMT Follow Focus unit.
@Everyone I have been thinking about this- re: 35mm 1.4 Samyang movement... how 'stiff' is the focus ring on your units? Mine is quite dampened. Maybe too dampened- as the resistance causes the backlash. :(
What should I do spray WD40 inside the ring or something? (joke) As I have found that pulling focus from 1-3 meters is quite ok... no issues with breathing for that distance.
Ill get one and report back here what it is like (I have a few gear reviews in the pipeline) I am a bit suspicious re the build quality- (would prefer a PL style) - but I may be surprised!
@VK- Not only with this lens- but this is quite a heavy and large lens so I notice it more :(
@LPowell- I must be a troglodyte or something--- but I have NOT scene that mount! Please let me know where I can get this mount- considering my predisposition for Nikon Mount- this is outstanding!
I have the 35mm 1.4... And I am experiencing a wobble- however it has nothing to do with the optical block inside the lens- the whole GH2 is simply moving up and down .5mm or so when I use the Follow Focus (seriously small pulls). Any ideas regarding GH2 stabilization - especially for this lens (and other larger lenses?)
I am using a TrusMT FF + Shoulder Rig + Rails + Letus style quick release block.
I have this lens too, for a few months now. Nice for stills, but not usable for video; maybe only handheld. Focusing makes the optical block inside wobble up and down. If you turn the focus ring clockwise, the image moves up, if you turn it ccw, the image moves down. The optics move about half a millimeter, but on a 24 inch screen, it's already almost a centimeter. Guess what it looks like on a 20 foot cinema screen... I tried to swap it for a better one two times, but this is just a design flaw; the three lenses i've seen were identical. So, i've stopped using it.
+1 @stonebat The Rokinon 35mm and 85mm lenses also work well with a follow focus on a small rig. The focus ring on the Nikon version rotates in the standard Nikon direction, which is opposite to the Four Thirds standard. With the TrusMT follow focus, I prefer the Nikon focus direction, as it pulls the focus point closer as I turn the follow focus knob toward me.
I still can't decide between the Samyang 35mm or the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-S. Two areas pulling me back is the size and build of the Samyang. Also, I have heard of the exposure shift on the Samyang through the different apertures. If anyone has experience with both, it would be great to hear.