Is This the Ultimate Bokeh Lens for Medium Format Cameras?

Generally, when it comes to medium format, lenses do not have the same extremely wide apertures many full frame or APS-C options do. Nonetheless, there are a few such options out there for medium format users, and they can offer some extreme and unique results. One such option is the Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 XCD for Hasselblad mirrorless cameras, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of images you can create with the lens. 

Coming to you from Bobby Tonelli, this excellent video review takes a look at the new Mitakon Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 XCD lens for Hasselblad mirrorless cameras. At $599, this new lens is remarkably affordable by medium format standards, and it offers the combination of the medium format look with an extremely wide aperture. Of course, you should not expect ultra-sharp results from such an affordable option with such an extreme design, but I have to admit that I was surprised by just how good the images looked; they are certainly perfectly workable. You will need to be comfortable with manual focus to work with the lens, and fast action is not an option due to the Hasselblad mirrorless system's lack of a mechanical shutter, but for portrait work, it looks like quite an interesting option. Check out the video above for Tonelli's full thoughts on the lens. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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3 Comments

It's a great "fun" lens for the GFX series of cameras. Not having a mechanical shutter on the XCD means it's a lot less versatile on this system IMO.

Nice crop sensor lens.

Looks ok for a "native mount" lens but the Mamiya 645 1.9 lens has an arguably nicer result. I have a few adapted lenses but the quality of native xcd glass as well as HC glass on the HC 0,8 adapter that allows for full coverage as well as auto focus makes me not want to bother with soft lens for the sake of experiments in "character". This was fun on my old GFX100s until i had the GF110 but after building the full gf kit, I had similar feelings. I think adapted lenses bring great value to full frame cameras as well as for video but on the old gf100s and now the X2D, native XCD and HC bring much nicer results. Used market HC lenses can be great place holders as well. When I see the result of this 65mm. It reminds me of my adapted full frame 50mm 1.8. For cash value, a used canon 50mm sells for under $80. Fun and cheap, lots of character. Sharp in the middle at f2!