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The new Mitakon lenses launched at Photokina are now shipping:
Mitakon 42,5mm f/1.2 on [shoplink 52611 ebay]eBay (mostly European sellers)[/shoplink].
Mitakon 24mm f/1.7 on [shoplink 52612 ebay]eBay (mostly Europen and Asian sellers)[/shoplink].
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7 Responses
They want $250 for manual chinese 24/1.7 ? What is wrong with them, Panasonic 20/1.7 can be had for similar money, with AF and auto aperture and EXIF and real warranty…
Yes, but the Zhongyi’s are like brand new vintage lenses with a funky character (and you’re not missing out on anything if you just get both the Zhongyi ánd the Panasonic; for variety; dress up for the occassion you know).
I’ve got both Zhongyi’s. Since last year too, btw. Actually surprised about this article now popping up.
thanks cinegain, do you have samples to share? how’s that funky character?
Check: http://www.mirrorlessons.com/2014/11/17/the-zy-optics-mitakon-24mm-f1-7-and-42-5mm-f1-2-micro-four-thirds-mount-complete-review/ . They’ve done a pretty good job covering it. Sums things up quite well. If you feel a little artsy, you can get some cool soft bokeh looks.
If you are more about the clean and sharp… well, if you’re looking at a full manual lens anyways, the 18-35mm f/1.8 Nikon mount Sigma ART lens is pretty brilliant. It’s like having multiple f/1.8 primes. Use regular adapter, use a speedbooster/focal reducer/lens turbo. If you’re all about native. Olympus has a great line-up of primes and PRO zooms. If you need stabilization with a Panasonic, well, the Leica branded ones are nice, expensive though. The new 30mm and 42.5mm f/1.7 from Panasonic are affordable and nice though (the usual pancakes and zooms might lack a little ‘soul’ in comparison with other glass).
Yeah the 24 is sort of a snorefest since, its not only soft as all hell, its only about $50 cheaper than an Oly 25mm f1.8 off of ebay. At least the 42.5mm has a fast aperture, and seems to be reasonably sharp wide open. It could be enough of a difference for someone to drop $350 on it instead of spending $300 for the Oly 45.
Considering its high price and softness (see tests) at f1.2, the 42.5mm is a bad investment. I own a Canon FD 50mm f1.4 SSC + a metabones speedbooster, it gives you a 35mm f1.0 that is quite sharp and very bright. And this combo is even cheaper than the mitakon 42.5mm…
I’m going to try the Pana 42.5mm f1.7 for ~300€. It has OIS and sharpness is said to be incredible at f1.7.
I’ve only seen one test of the 42.5mm at mirrorlessons, it seemed decent. Of course the 1.8/1.7 lenses are the best deal, but now compared to the huge $1000 Nokton, this seems at least a decent alternative for shallow DoF (though I’d rather keep saving up for the Nocticron…).