Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 review

The $799 Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 brings the medium format look to 35mm cameras… with a caveat

Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 review
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you want dreamy bokeh, the Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 delivers with aplomb. In fact, we'll go one further: the depth of field is so shallow at that crazy wide aperture that it rivals the ethereal look of medium format photography. There is, however, a trade off in the sharpness department. For photographers who want a lens with character (and not in a pejorative way), this delivers images that can be very special. For photographers that prize sharpness and can't abide aberration, however, there are many cheaper and better options.

Pros

  • +

    Dreamy bokeh

  • +

    Medium format depth of field

  • +

    Low price for an f/0.95

  • +

    Clickless aperture

Cons

  • -

    Soft until you stop down

  • -

    Manual focus

  • -

    Can be hard to hit focus

  • -

    Lots of aberration

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Love fast glass? It doesn't get much faster than the Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95, which the Chinese manufacturer crows is the world's only f/0.95 lens for DSLR cameras. 

Indeed, we've seen a few f/0.95 lenses – and the fastest lenses even shatter that speed – such as the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, as well as a number of optics from Voigtländer and even Zhongyi itself. However, they're all for mirrorless cameras – or, in the case of the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH, for rangefinders.

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.