ZY Optics has announced that its Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4, initially released for Fujifilm GFX cameras, is now available in Hasselblad X flavour. This makes the manual focus lens the fastest lens available for the Hasselblad X system. It has an aperture range from a bright f/1.4, stopping down to f/16, with a field of view on Hasselblad X cameras similar to that of a 50mm lens on full-frame cameras.
Being such a wide aperture lens and taking advantage of a medium format sensor, its relative depth of field is also shallower than it would be at f/1.4 on full-frame for the same field of view. Its diaphragm contains nine aperture blades for what ZY Optics describes as “outstanding bokeh” and they say it produces no vignetting at all, with consistent sharpness from edge to edge.
The video above is the only review I’ve been able to find on YouTube, where photographer Bobby Tonelli uses it on the 100-megapixel Hasselblad X2D. In the sample images shown in the review, you can really see just how shallow that depth of field really gets. As it’s a manual focus lens, though, you do have to be extremely precise when focusing before taking your shot. It doesn’t appear to be a very forgiving lens at all.
| Focal length | 65mm |
| Format | Medium Fromat |
| Mount | Hasselblad X |
| Focus type | Manual focus |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min aperture | f/16 |
| Min focus distance | 70cm |
| Optics | 11 elements in 7 groups |
| Angle of view | 46° |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Filter diameter | 72mm |
| Dimensions | 82 x 96mm |
| Weight | 1,050g |
The lens contains two ultra-low dispersion elements and two high refractive index elements, which ZY Optics says “are precisely arranged to deliver optimal sharpness and clarify”, with minimal field curvature and edge-to-edge sharpness.
They also say that it distinguishes itself from other XCD lenses due to its internal focus design. This allows for easy focus adjustments without any extension or retraction of the lens housing. It also means that it can be used in rigs using matte boxes in fixed positions without worrying about shifting things when focusing. One thing they don’t mention in the product listing, however, is focus breathing. So, its performance in that respect is currently unknown.
The Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 for Hasselblad XCD cameras is available to buy now for $599 from the ZY Optics website. There’s no word yet on when it’ll arrive at retailers around the world, but given that the Fuji GFX version is available to buy elsewhere, I expect it’ll be coming eventually.
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!