No love for the Mitakon 50 f0.95?

[Amin]

Mine just arrived. Quick snap (vignetting added):


Facetime with Halmoni (Grandma), Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 @f/0.95 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr

 

[Jack]

you're so easy, Jack! :ROTFL

:ROTFL::ROTFL::ROTFL:

 

[Jack]

I maybe should have asked the original question differently --- is there anybody who owns this lens who does NOT like it?

For me, it's a lot to like for $800

 

[MikeEvangelist]

The replacement's on its way from Popflash. I'm anxious to spend more time with it, as I really like the look.

My sister - a7S with Mitakon 50mm ƒ0.95, wide open

 

[iiiNelson]

Is it correct that the revised version has a clickless aperture ring? Also does the lens transfer metadata to the camera?

 

[MikeEvangelist]

Is it correct that the revised version has a clickless aperture ring? Also does the lens transfer metadata to the camera?

Right, clickless aperture. No electronic connection, unfortunately.

 

[MikeEvangelist]

Popflash came through with a quick replacement of the loose lens. The new one is rock solid; and it seems perhaps a little sharper too.

I'm loving the incredible subject separation.

Mitakon 50mm ƒ0.95 on Sony a7R

 

[Steve P.]

I'm not in the market for another 50mm lens right now but in the spirit of this Mitakon I see that sonyalpharumors are carrying the first images of a Samyang/Rokinon 135mm f2, rumoured to be less than $600. If it's anywhere near as good as this Mitakon looks from the examples here then it may prove tough to resist. These third party MF lenses really do give you a lot for the money.

 

[Amin]

Philip - Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 @f/0.95 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr


Philip - Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 @f/0.95 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr

 

[cam]

As Vivek claims, I'm merely a fondler, but gaaaaawd, I am weakening

 

[Jack]

I'm merely a fondler, but gaaaaawd, I am weakening

Well it's about time. Just sayin...

:ROTFL: :ROTFL: :ROTFL:

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Okay these last images look pretty dang good. Getting a wobble in my knees. Keep teasing me. Lol

 

[MikeEvangelist]

Guy, I think I'll nickname this lens 'the Black Hole'... it sucks up even the tiniest bit of light.

 

[Amin]

Here are 100% crops from the two pics in my last post. Remarkable center sharpness IMO considering these are both f/0.95 photos.

 

[Dukegoulden]

Been lurking for a while Loving this lens so far, here's one from the other night at 0.95

 

[iiiNelson]

Right, clickless aperture. No electronic connection, unfortunately.

Yeah that is a bit unfortunate because I'd love a version with the clicks and metadata although the samples all look very good.

 

[Amin]

I did a quick shootout with the 50/0.95 Noctilux and 50/0.95 Mitakon. No attempt made at artistry here. Just 30 min outside in the freezing cold with the two lenses, my A7, and a tripod/self-timer.

Full-resolution JPEGs - Control-click (Command-click on a Mac) on these in a tabbed browser to compare full screen by switching tabs:
Leica @ f/0.95: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7513/16258449362_4fe2f82315_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/0.95: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/15639375503_b9afb1ddb9_o.jpg
Leica @ f/0.95: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/16259274255_6eb2f03b3a_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/0.95: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16257450981_cf88fae037_o.jpg
Leica @ f/0.95: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/16257450861_9258763dff_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/0.95: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16073422017_73bd5ff897_o.jpg
Leica @ f/0.95: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/16073421957_6066430dfe_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/0.95: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/16073136159_bec8158604_o.jpg
Leica @ f/0.95: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/15636866524_23fd600737_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/0.95: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/16259273265_0a167acda9_o.jpg
Leica @ f/4: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/16259273545_7f8f5a8121_o.jpg
Mitakon @ f/4: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/15639374143_1718362388_o.jpg

RAW files for download:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06335.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06337.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06338.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06340.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06341.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06342.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06343.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06345.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06346.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06347.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06348.ARW
https://s3.amazonaws.com/mitakondarkknight/DSC06349.ARW


The A7 meters the Noctilux as being about 1/3 stop faster (eg, 1/400s for Leica vs 1/320s for Mitakon with both lenses wide open) though the Mitakon seems to have less light falloff wide open.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

I'm on iPhone so what are your thoughts

 

[Vivek]

The A7 meters the Noctilux as being about 1/3 stop faster (eg, 1/400s for Leica vs 1/320s for Mitakon with both lenses wide open) though the Mitakon seems to have less light falloff wide open.

Thanks for the info, Amin.

 

[Amin]

I'm on iPhone so what are your thoughts

My thoughts (from using both on A7, may be slightly different story with Noctilux on a Leica):

-Size and weight are comparable
-Mitakon has better center sharpness both wide open and stopped down.
-Leica has better edge sharpness wide open.
-Mitakon has overall smoother bokeh, and more even across the frame. With near bokeh, Leica has less blur on the foreground on the sides of the frame (due to field curvature).
-Field curvature is very different for the two lenses - see the f/4 shots with the same mid-distance focus target - Leica much more in focus in the foreground on the edges, Mitakon much more in focus in the background on the edges.
-Longitudinal CA is a wash. Both have a fair amount.
-Leica meters 1/3 stop faster but has more light falloff, so less than 1/3 stop faster when you include the edges.

Overall I prefer the Mitakon rendering. Would prefer clicks for apertures and Leica build.