Chinese optical specialists unveil its latest Speedmaster bokehtastic prime lens
With the Fujifilm GFX 50R about to go on sale to join the existing Fujifilm GFX 50S medium format mirrorless camera, we have just been told the news that there is a new super-fast lens for the system – and it is not a Fujinon. The new record-breaking lens is the Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 from Chinese optical specialists ZY Optics.
With an equivalent focal length of around 50mm, this standard prime is two full stops faster than Fujifilm's own GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR. The super-wide maximum aperture of f/1.4 creates what the manufacturer is describing as a "bokeh monster".
The manual-focus metal-cased lens is constructed from 11 elements in seven groups – and has a nine-blade diaphragm. The lens includes two Ultra-low dispersion (UD) and two High-reflective index (HR) elements to help deliver what the manufacturer claims as "exceptional image quality to meet the demanding 51.4MP sensors".
Sample image gallery
Image 1 of 4
Manufacturer sample image: Shot with the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4. Image by Jonas Rask.
Manufacturer sample image: Shot with the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4. Image by Jonas Rask.
Manufacturer sample image: Shot with the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4. Image by Jonas Rask.
Manufacturer sample image: Shot with the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4. Image by Jonas Rask.
With a diameter of 82mm and measuring 96mm when focused at infinity, it weighs in at 1,050g. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m, giving a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:4.
ZY Optics launched the Speedmaster range of wide-apertured primes back in 2014, and currently includes the 50mm f/0.95 and 35mm f/0.95 for Sony E-mount. Mitakon's 85mm f/1.2 for the GFX G-mount went on sale at the beginning of the year
The Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 lens is available now for a recommend retail price of $799.
Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography.
His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.
He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.
