Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye Lens for Nikon F Mount with AE Chip Review

The Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye is a full-frame manual lens for Nikon F mount that delivers a dramatic 180-degree angle of view at an accessible price point. It packs solid optical features into a compact package, including three extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements to control distortion and chromatic aberration, plus Nano Crystal and UMC coatings to minimize flare and ghosting. The lens includes an AE chip, enabling auto exposure and focus confirmation on compatible Nikon bodies, a practical feature often missing from budget manual lenses.

This is a fully manual lens, meaning you'll handle both focus and aperture adjustments by hand. The f/2.8 maximum aperture is reasonably fast for a fisheye, and the aperture ring stops down to f/22. The minimum focus distance of 7.9 inches lets you get very close to subjects for exaggerated perspective effects. Rokinon includes a petal-shaped lens hood in the box. At under $350, this lens targets Nikon shooters looking for creative fisheye effects without the cost of name-brand alternatives.