20/04/2024 3:35 am
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Hi everyone,
I'm considering purchasing the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III manual focus lens for my Sony a7III. This lens has an extremely fast f/0.95 maximum aperture which is very appealing for low light shooting and achieving shallow depth of field.
However, I don't have any first-hand experience with Mitakon Zhongyi lenses. I'm curious if anyone here has used the Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 and can share their thoughts on its optical performance, build quality, handling, etc. Specifically:
- How is the sharpness, especially when shot wide open at f/0.95?
- Are there any issues with color fringing, distortion, or vignetting?
- How smooth is the manual focus ring, and is it easy to nail focus?
- What is the general build quality and feel of the lens?
- How does it compare to other fast 50mm options like the Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4?
Any insights from Speedmaster owners would be much appreciated as I weigh whether this lens would be a good addition to my kit. I mostly shoot portraits, events and some video work.
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25/04/2024 8:26 am
I've been using the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III on my Sony a7III for several months now, mostly for portrait sessions and low light event photography. Here are my thoughts:
Sharpness: Wide open at f/0.95, the lens is surprisingly sharp in the center, but expect some softness towards the edges of the frame. Stopped down to f/1.4 or f/2, the sharpness improves considerably across the frame. For portraits, the slight softness at f/0.95 can actually be quite flattering for skin tones.
Optical Issues: Some purple fringing is visible in high contrast areas when shooting at f/0.95, but it's fairly well-controlled and can be easily corrected in post. I haven't noticed any major distortion, and vignetting is present wide open but disappears by f/2.8.
Manual Focus: The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, with a long focus throw that allows for precise focusing. The lens also has a clickless aperture ring for smooth aperture adjustments during video. Nailing focus at f/0.95 takes some practice, but the focus peaking and magnification on the a7III make it easier.
Build Quality: The all-metal construction feels solid and premium. The lens is hefty but balances well on the a7III body. The included lens hood is also metal and attaches securely. Overall, the build inspires confidence.
Compared to Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4: The Speedmaster has a faster aperture and is fully manual, while the Sony Zeiss has autofocus and is lighter. In terms of pure image quality, the Sony Zeiss is sharper across the frame and has less fringing. However, the Speedmaster's f/0.95 aperture allows for more subject separation and low light capability. The rendering is also subjectively different, with the Speedmaster having a slightly more "vintage" look.
Overall, I'm very happy with the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III. It's not a perfect lens, but it has a unique look and is capable of impressive results when used within its strengths. For portraits and event work, the fast aperture and smooth rendering are very useful. Just be prepared to work around the quirks of shooting at f/0.95 and focusing manually.
