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After almost one year of launching, a newly redesigned version of the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm T1.0 full-frame cinema lens is headed to the shelves. This ultra-fast cinema prime now features a whole renewed housing conform to industry standards. The lens is available for $999.
Zhong Yi Optics is a Chinese company famous for producing extremely fast prime lenses, known by the name of Mitakon Speedmaster. Back in April 2021, we reported the release of four of these light-starving glasses, including the impressive, original full-frame 50mm T1.0 cinema lens.
Apparently, over the last year, the Zhong Yi Optics team has been busy perfecting the design of this prime lens. Finally, the company is ready to ship the product with improved, industry-standard cinema housing. Let’s take a closer look at this new version of the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm T1.0.
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm T1.0: a world’s first
According to the manufacturer, the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm T1.0 is the first full-frame lens with these characteristics to come with a native PL mount. The company also offers another popular mount option: Canon EF.
The image circle of this glass can cover full-frame as well as large-format sensors, like those of the RED V-RAPTOR and ARRI Alexa Mini LF. The impressive aperture value of T1.0 lets a lot of light pass through the lens, making it ideal for low-light situations.
Furthermore, the combination of this lens with a full-frame camera will result in an image with an extremely shallow depth of field. This will provide greater separation of the subject from the background that will challenge even the most experienced focus pullers.
Same body, new dress
From its initial release in 2021, the lens housing has been completely redesigned in order to meet the demands of industry-working professionals. The new all-metal construction features standard 0.8 MOD iris and focus gears.
The aperture ring is step-less, while the focus one offers a long 285° throw for precise operations. A series of engraved focus markings clearly display distances in both feet and now meters. The lens can focus as close as 65cm.
Moreover, the barrel has a 105mm filter thread at the front and an outer diameter of 114mm. From what I can see, the lens lacks a threaded hole for additional support. This is a little disappointing, considering that this glass weighs 1800g/3.97lbs!
Optical design
Beneath this new dress, the internal design has remained unchanged. The optical scheme features 12 elements divided into 6 groups, including extra and ultra-low dispersion as well as ultra-high refraction elements.
The super-wide aperture features a 9-blade design that should provide a nice, smooth bokeh. Like every lens company out there, Zhong Yi Optics claims that the lens retains good contrast and sharpness characteristics even wide open.
Of course, this needs to be tested with a proper chart and on the field. Meanwhile, you can judge for yourself by taking a look at this sample footage provided by the manufacturer.
Key features
- 50mm with 35mm full-frame coverage
- T1.0-16
- PL and EF-Mount
- 12 elements in 6 groups
- 9 aperture blades
- Extra and ultra-low dispersion elements
- Ultra-high refraction elements
- Close focus: 0.65m
- Aperture throw: 72°
- Focus throw: 285°
- Size: 114x136mm (4.49 x 5.35”)
- Weight: 1800g/3.97lbs
Price and availability
The company has finally started shipping this redesigned Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm T1.0 full-frame cinema prime. The lens is currently available for purchase on the manufacturer’s website for the astonishing price of $999. Along with the lens, Zhong Yi Optics includes a high-quality protective case.
What do you think about this extremely fast cinema lens? Do you often shoot wide open? Do you have any focus-pulling experience with lenses of this kind? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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