Stuff I used in this video: - Sony A7III Camera: amzn.to/2xM776q - Meike MK-310 Flash (mounted with an adapter to fit my Sony camera): amzn.to/2XMhHou - Camera strap, Peak Design Leash: amzn.to/2XMi4iS - Sony Grip extension: amzn.to/2xHKsrR - Diffuser similar to mine: amzn.to/2LKnmKz - I recorded the video with my Sony X3000 action camera: amzn.to/2XGF2bf Sign up for my free newsletter here: mwroll.com Go see more photos on my instagram: instagram.com/mwroll/ Or at 500px: 500px.com/mwroll/

I believe your hardship with this lens has kept many of us from making a mistake.

An honest reviewer that I would/do trust. It is important to tell it how it is. This is a brave stance as some manufacturers might turn their backs on the prospect on the reviewer if their product is dubious. Praise to the manufacturer for making changes from Mikael's initial review evidence.

Appreciate the brutal honesty!

I have returned two copies of this lens now. In my case, it is not the quality of the photos it takes, rather, it is the particles of black stuff that accumulates on the inner part of the glass. The first time I thought it was a returned lens, so I sent it back. The second one had the same issue. I used my blower to blow it off, but it is almost like when you zoom in and out, black particles fall off from the inner tube and on to the front, inner part of the glass. It is a shame, because otherwise, it is a good lens. I am going with the Laowa 65 mm 2x based on your recommendation.

I have the ZY optics 20mm 4-4.5 on a Macro rail, it is certainly and affordable set up and get the job done (photographing my specimens) my copy has fairly similar issues to what you have described but not as bad, I guess you are correct when it comes to stray light bouncing inside the lens barrel (not sure if this is the correct way of putting it) and probably a better coatings would also help. I say better coatings as I also have the Mitakon 25mm f 0.95 and found thar while this lens somewhat soft, it renders some aesthetically pleasing pictures, nice character, however it lacks micro-contrast and some definition, but again, ZY does produce fairly affordable lenses, I do use my ZY lenses as specialized lenses, I love the fact that they make them affordable. I wish they could try to work on wide angles rather than macros, Laowa seems to be the brand to beat in Macro and Wide, their 7.5mm rectilinear wide angle is amazing, I hope ZY optics can focus on innovating and refining the products they have which are fairly niche...

Thanks for this infromation. I assume they will rename the lense to M.Widell Macro lense after Rev.3 ;-)

Ah crap. Mitakon seemingly forgot me and shipped it one day after my last mail. Now it's stuck in customs and I was happy that I will be able to test it within the next days. Your review now makes me think I'm going to return it right away - and I won't even consider giving a revision3 a go, if this really should happen :-/

So I get Laowa 25 is better but do you have a review of Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro?

Hello Micael, have you ever tried medical Nikkor 200mm f5.6?

In the meantime I received my lens and finally came around to testing and comparing it (to a Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8) - as soon as I saw Pentax' result on the screen (took the Mitakon-shot before), I knew I'd be getting rid of this lens. I sent zy optics an email which they haven't answered yet, maybe I'll have to sell it otherwise. For anyone interested: to get similar results as on my Pentax (which was set to f5.6, 1/125s, ISO100), I had to go up to 1/20s - in bright sunlight! The result was lacking contrast - it seems like it's got similar problems like before the revision in terms of image quality. But that loss of light definitely is a BIG NO-NO for me.

0:40 - Jorgo! Monster, Monster, Monster, Fiskmonster, Rymdmoster, Kristallmonster. Funny memories for my youth. Good video btw, just start laughing when you mention Starzinger :)

Thanks bro!

Thanks for this review! I'll stick to the venus optics!

I currently have the MP-E 65, Canon ef-s 35mm macro, and Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro and Opteka 15mm macro. Wanted to grab this for field shots cause I don't want to carry the MP in the field. Think I will pass.

Can you please review canon mpe-65mm macro lens?

Too bad it didn't turn out better after the rework :/ So the Laowa macros are still king for super macro photography? Thanks for re-reviewing it. I'm a bit jealous though that you can fly to wherever you want just to get a better weather condition for your reviews xD

Depth of field looked not enough?

Nice review, sounds lime you got sloppy seconds on that lens lmao.

Hi Micael, next time you need a place to travel to come to israel. We have crane flies out now - a sure sign of spring. We would love to host you at the department of entomology of HUJI and go for photo walks.

.. actually no part of any new lens should fall down!! Worst scenario would be if it falls down on your sensor!!!! It could have damaged your camera very badly -_-

They fail again...

Geen goede lens dus?

Please Micael, which version of lens you were testing - I am confused, look here there is quite difference of dimension of front glass and serial number! in your video it looks like old version! petapixel.com/2020/01/23/back-from-the-drawing-board-mitakon-85mm-1x-5x-macro-lens-redesigned/

what a crappy lens *XD*

I am a firm believer in that you only get what you pay for.

Should I be nicer? No. What are they thinking? Yeah, the longer working distance isn't important and most won't know what to make out of the lenses' telecentricity... They don't understand the need of coatings/flocking to cull stray light within a lens? Are you kidding me? I'd be more forgiving if they simply forgot about it, it's an oversight etc stupid manufacturer fluffy language inserted here... Abysmal.