It’s the closest-focusing lens I have ever tested – including the time I made that Photo101 video experimenting with macro extension tubes. Let’s see if this inexpensive (US $200) Mitakon lens is a practical solution for extreme macro work.
All pictures taken by me on a Canon 6D camera.
Support me on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/christopherfrost
Be sure to follow my Photostream on Flickr, to see sample pictures of lenses I’ve reviewed and to see previews of upcoming lenses, too! https://www.flickr.com/photos/56334263@N07/
Music:
‘Opportunity Walks’, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b…
Price: $3.99
Weird Science
(as of September 24, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price:
Buffalo Games - Weird But True Game
National geographic kids - based on the best-selling kids app and book series franchise. Weird but true is now a family fun filled board game from the same creators as brain game kids Mind bending facts - over 200 wacky wild facts Inclusive play - al... (as of September 24, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $0.99
Recycled Wonders
(as of September 24, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price:
I think it was made with focus stacking in mind. Instead of changing focus. One would put it on a macro use tripod head that would allow you to move the camera forwards or back by tiny degrees. Then you take a bunch of photos and focus stack them.
Hi Chris, hope you can review the new Canon EFM 32mm 1.4!
I have that lens in my collection and I’ve gotta say it’s pretty cool but also hard to nail focus. Overall a fun lens to use.
First! Again!
I wonder if it’s possible to attach this lens to a camera with a smaller sensor. It would be bigger magnification
Hi,where can i get the photo you use for testing distortion sharpness etc?thank you
Is this a completely fixed focus lens?
Looks like a copy of the Olympus 20mm f2 x4.2 macro
7min + okey i hold a Cup of Tea in my left hand and wait.. 5 min later the Cat need fun wiht the 20mm lens, so a wait again.
I have no need for it, but I want it.
I’m wondering how the pictures would look like with extension tubes, how close we can get.
Interesting lens, I haven’t seen this one before.
saw weird lens review notification… clicked immediately . long time is last weird lens review
Weren’t you tempted to try the ibis in your Sony with this lens?
The Zenit factory has recently updated its Zenitar 85mm f1.4 (Helios 40-3). Could you possibly do a review? I can find some examples online, but no comprehensive reviews yet.
I wish it was just a regular 20mm f2.
Second!!
It looks like it’s simply a reversed lens. I modified a 18-55 kit lens to attach the lens backwards for macro work, and as you mention, focusing is very frustrating. I even conected wires externally to keep electronic communication but the autofocus is pretty much useless. I recorded the whole process as a video tutorial. I may upload it sometime soon in case someone is interested.
This is amazing.
Please please review Tamron 17-35 f 2.8 OSD lense. It would be great to see.
Re lighting. One would use macro flash (either a ring light that would be around the lens, or two small lights to either side of the lens) or other macro lighting technique so I don’t don’t think the exposure times would be as long as in your video.
It goes for about $169 at B&H, very temping and it has a mount for my camera!
Are you suggesting Counterfeiters would find it more than useful 🙂
Nice. A proper review of this lens. Thanks!
Weird Lens but Ok!
Weird. But if you wanted to do something very different I guess it’s cool.
I waited for this video so long… thank you
Wow, that’s one specialized lens.
I love weird lens reviews!
“It’s a totally manual lens”
Well, buying macro rings will be much cheaper then. :/
It looks like a normal lens that has been reversed. And essentially that’s what it is
Man I have been eyeing this lens ever since USB microscope kicked the bucket I may pic one up soon. Definitely better image quality.
Thanks for this. I’ve always wondered about this lens and you’ve answered all of the main points I wondered about.
Good review. I have this lens and your summary of the properties is very good. I have gotten some very nice images with it. 4-4.5x is quite difficult to use effectively and requires care. Lighting is best done with a couple of fiber gooseneck lights due to the tiny working distance. After messing with this lens, I’ve moved to a stacking rig using a 5x mitutoyo objective with my 70-200mm used as the tube lens for it. Much easier and longer working distance but a LOT more expensive. I find the Mitakon is much more at home on my stacking rig due to the excellent control of the lens and subject holders on that microscope base.
Do you usually keep these cheap/weird lenses you review? (I’m assuming these are not loan review copies.)
Great review as always!!
At this point this is a microscope…….. I dare you to put macro tubes on it 😀
Thank you for this great review! I´ve been thinking of getting this lens for a while now and tried to look for a decent review of it. 🙂
You guys ever wonder what an octopus based vehicle will look like?
This is microscope magnification territory.
Did you use electronic first shutter curtain mode to eliminate image blur due to shutter vibration?
Why not use an external flash for macro?