Mitakon Lenses

S

Simon Shasha

Well-known member
I've been looking for lenses for my A7S, and stumbled along these 3 lenses last night. They can all be used for either full-frame or APS-C (and smaller).


Mitakon CREATOR 35mm f/2


http://www.zyoptics.net/product/mitakon-creator-35mm-f2/


Mitakon CREATOR 85mm f/2


http://www.zyoptics.net/product/mitakon-creator-85mm-f2/


Mitakon CREATOR 135mm f/2.8


http://www.zyoptics.net/product/mitakon-creator-135mm-f2-8/


Tried to do a bit of research, but couldn't find a lot of info on them. Found a forum (can't remember the link) where someone wrote that Mitakon based their lenses on an old Leica formula - not sure how true/accurate that is though...


Has anyone used these lenses before? And if so, how did you find their performance?
 
Simon Shasha said:
Found a forum (can't remember the link) where someone wrote that Mitakon based their lenses on an old Leica formula - not sure how true/accurate that is though...
Click to expand...

This is how rumor starts. The lenses are trying to look like Leica cosmetically, but the lens formulae? It sounds to me like someone google-translated a Chinese website or misread something, but you should try to remember your source.
 
I found some samples of the APCS Zhongyi lenses:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/z...1-2---24mm-f-1-7-sample-photos---video--26420

There's much more info from users in China, where these lenses have been available for months by now:

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-1281365-1-1-1.html

http://qicai.fengniao.com/367/3670383.htmlT

The second link is very useful. Compares the 85/2 to the Nikon 85/1.4 D (not G). Looks like the Zhongyi has good resolution at center but is considerably worse in the extremes and corners. Has a classic look with swirly soft bokeh and somewhat heavy CA wide open, worse than the Nikon. Coating not as good: flares more easily than most modern lenses. Build quality apparently quite good. Geometric distortion and vignetting average.

Looks like it's worth a try at $200.

And actually the IQ does look rather similar to the Leica R 90/2, which can be had for about $500.
 
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If you're interested in this type of lens, why not just go with the rokinon/samyang route? They're well reviewed, widely available, in the same price range and faster as well.
 
Relative to Samyangs these ones have the virtue of light weight (~300g) and compactness, if that matters. The reports seem to say they are built quite well too -- both have retractable lens hoods.

And they are actually even cheaper than Samyang's bought new.
 
Here you have a bunch of Leica-R optical formulas, look for the Mitakon ones and compare (not available yet in their website). I'd be interested if they were actually similar (I already own a full Leica-R set, but I could get a couple of lenses for my girlfriend and father).

The bad news is: the Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 seems to be completely different from the Leica ASPH.
 
don't think mitakon releases their formulae. but the IQ certainly looks similar to the older Leica Summicrons--high resolution at center but with field curvature, spherical and chromatic abberations at open apertures--but with more primitive coating. maybe these lenses will suit someone look for a more vintage look? but in that case it seems real Leica R lenses are a better investment, even if more expensive.

i'm guessing Mitakon doesn't have the resources to make aspherics.
 
i have the 50mm f/.95 version 2 (Dark Knight). Pair this up with A7s, you can shot in complete darkness. This is a sample of it.

dk2.jpg
 
As a chinese student, I am glad too see here talking about Mitakon.

Well, the Mitakon 85 F2 is on my desk now. It's from one of my classmate. I'm trying these days.
It has good center sharpness and the corner(just corner) sucks (of course in full frame). F2 is still not bad but with much chromatic aberration in high contrast. F2.8 is pretty good.
Another bad thing is backlight reflection, like many old lenses, have to change angle to avoid it. I think our coating technology still outdated, at least Mitakon.
Then the rest is pretty good for the price. Color is nice. Very comfortable handling.

Here are some great samples, hope it is useful. http://forum.xitek.com/forum-viewthread-tid-738700.html

The one on my desk is 2nd gen. I heard that the 3rd gen version is coming, so maybe its worth waiting.
Also if any question about 85 F2 I will trying to answer.
 
aly324 said:
don't think mitakon releases their formulae. but the IQ certainly looks similar to the older Leica Summicrons--high resolution at center but with field curvature, spherical and chromatic abberations at open apertures--but with more primitive coating. maybe these lenses will suit someone look for a more vintage look? but in that case it seems real Leica R lenses are a better investment, even if more expensive.

i'm guessing Mitakon doesn't have the resources to make aspherics.
Click to expand...

I think it is not built for vintage look... But maybe trying to be similar to Leica.
There is a leaked fun news, another chinese optics industry called Phenix, do some OEM for Canon's cheap lenses...
 
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