Rokinon 16mm f/2 ED AS UMC CS Manual APS-C Lens for Canon EF-S Mount Review

The Rokinon 16mm f/2 ED AS UMC CS is a wide-angle prime lens designed for APS-C Canon EF-S bodies, delivering an effective field of view equivalent to roughly 26mm in full-frame terms. At $169 MSRP, it sits in the budget-friendly segment of manual-focus wide primes, appealing to videographers and photographers who need fast glass without autofocus. The f/2 maximum aperture offers decent low-light capability and shallow depth-of-field control for a wide lens, while the ED and aspherical elements aim to control aberrations common in ultra-wide designs. Build quality typically includes metal lens mounts and multi-coated optics, though the focus and aperture rings are manual-only. This lens competes with budget options from Samyang (its sister brand) and older Canon EF-S wide primes, carving out a niche for creators who prioritize speed and price over convenience features.