Chinese lens manufacturer specializing in manual prime lenses — known for fast aperture optics designed for mirrorless camera systems.
Technical Details
Mitakon lenses are characterized by extreme apertures: the Creator 85mm f/1.2, the Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95, and the record-breaking Speedmaster 50mm f/0.7. The latter achieves an entrance aperture of T1.0 at a minimum focusing distance of 50cm. The construction is based on 9-12 lens elements in 7-9 groups with multi-layer nano-coating. Available mounts include Sony E, Canon EF/RF, Nikon F/Z, MFT, and Fujifilm X. Weight varies between 420g (35mm f/0.95) and 950g (135mm f/1.4).
History & Development
Founded in 2013 by Zhongyi Optical Company, Mitakon initially established itself with Speedbooster adapters for mirrorless cameras. In 2015, the first native lens followed, the Creator 135mm f/1.4. The breakthrough came in 2017 with the Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 for Sony E-mount. In 2019, Mitakon presented the f/0.7 lens as a direct response to the legendary Zeiss lenses from Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon." Since 2021, the company has increasingly focused on cinema versions with uniform housings and focus gears.
Practical Use in Film
Mitakon lenses enable extreme available light filming at ISO 800-1600 without additional lighting. The f/0.95 and f/0.7 produce characteristic bokeh effects with strong subject isolation and circular out-of-focus highlights. Independent productions utilize these lenses for low-budget night scenes and intimate portraits. Manual focus requires precise follow-focus systems, as the depth of field at wide open aperture is less than 2cm. Typical workflows include focus peaking and 4x magnification on the monitor.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to Zeiss, Leica, or Canon, Mitakon offers similar apertures at a tenth of the price – the f/0.95 costs approximately 800 Euros versus 4000+ Euros for competing products. The optical quality reaches a professional level at apertures of 2.8-4.0, but exhibits significant aberrations and vignetting at wide open. Sigma Art, Tamron G2, or Viltrox Pro offer better sharpness performance but do not achieve the extreme apertures. For controlled studio conditions, established manufacturers remain the better choice.