For portraits on medium format, you could not all the time need absolute sharpness. There are occasions if you need softness, glow, and character in your photos, and sure lenses may give you that temper in methods others can’t. The selection of lens impacts not simply the look of your photographs but additionally the best way you method taking pictures.
Coming to you from D Caldwell Pictures, this considerate video takes an in depth take a look at the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 lens. In contrast to Fujifilm’s razor-sharp GF lenses, this absolutely handbook possibility brings a singular character to portraits. Large open at f/1.4, it produces glowing pores and skin tones and backgrounds that soften into painterly swirls, one thing you gained’t get from Fujifilm’s personal lineup. Cease it down and the sharpness improves whereas nonetheless retaining that medium format depth. The look is just not medical. It’s expressive, cinematic, and atmospheric, which is why Caldwell reaches for it typically.
Within the studio, the lens presents two distinct approaches. At narrower apertures, it’s sharp sufficient for managed work, however large open, it leans right into a softer rendering that feels extra like a painted portrait. Handbook focusing slows the method down, making you extra deliberate with every body. Caldwell notes that it may really feel much like taking pictures with movie cameras, encouraging you to deal with intentional composition. Outdoor at golden hour, the 65mm brings in flares that add to the dreamy temper with out distracting from the topic. It’s not a device for technical perfection however one for emotion and storytelling.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 65mm
Most Aperture: f/1.4
Minimal Aperture: f/16
Lens Mount: Fujifilm G, Hasselblad X
Format Protection: Medium Format
Minimal Focus Distance: 2.3′ / 70 cm
Magnification: 0.25x
Optical Design: 11 parts in 7 teams
Aperture Blades: 9
Focus Kind: Handbook Focus
Picture Stabilization: No
Filter Measurement: 72 mm
Dimensions: 3.23 x 3.78″ (82 x 96 mm)
Weight: 2.31 lb (1050 g)
At evening, the lens transforms once more. The quick aperture retains up with low mild, whereas the bokeh turns into daring and dramatic. Highlights glow and portraits carry an environment that feels alive. Caldwell factors out that this character can’t be replicated with Fuji’s sharper lenses, which are inclined to lean towards a extra medical look. The tradeoff is weight and the absence of autofocus. If you need technical perfection, Fujifilm’s GF lineup nonetheless holds the benefit. However if you would like portraits with temper and depth, this lens presents one thing totally different at a fraction of the associated fee. Try the video above for the total rundown from Caldwell.
