Chinese lens manufacturer ZY Optics, known for making fast and friendly budget lenses under its subbrand Mitakon, has announced the release of a new Mitakon 200mm f/4 macro lens.
Aimed at those who are capturing videos or photos of the “tiniest details”, and equipped with a practical 200mm telephoto focal length, this Mitakon might be an appealing choice, especially at the affordable price of $499.
Macro filming and photography are loved by countless enthusiasts because they show interesting details within objects that are not easily visible to the naked eye. I can only compare it to “slow-motion shots” when it comes to “uniqueness” that’s beyond normal filming. The original Laowa 24mm Macro Probe from 2018 opened the door for many to the world of macro filming, and although this Mitakon lens is a completely different breed, at 1x magnification it seems to be capable of producing nice macro images as well (next to long-focus shots).
According to the press release, “The lens is consisting of 11 elements organized into seven groups. Three Extraordinary Dispersion (ED) lenses, three ultra-high index elements, and a single extra-high transmission lens. In order to combat chromatic aberration (purple fringing) the company is using APO Technology”.
The lens is heavy (1300g) and therefore includes a supportive Arca Swiss plate.
Unlike working with a 100mm macro lens, a 200mm macro lens allows you to set a greater distance from your subject, useful in many cases such as wildlife filming or photography without disturbing the subject).
When it comes to options for mounts, the new lens is available in a variety of choices including F, EF, FE, RF, Z, GFX, L, and XCD.
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Mitakon lenses from a few years ago were reported to be a bit soft, but it seems as if the company has made a leap forward with its optical design and glass quality. It will be interesting to see how this one behaves in the real (filming) world.
The lens is currently available for purchase directly at ZY Optics site.
Do you guys have experience working with Mitakon lenses? How is the lens built quality? Would you recommend them to others? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
