Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 Review
The Mitakon 85mm f/1.2 delivers stunning, creamy bokeh for a fraction of the cost of other f/1.2 lenses. But there's a big catch you need to know about.
The 30-Second Version
A bokeh monster on a budget. Get it for the stunning f/1.2 look, but only if you have the patience for manual focus.
Overview
The Mitakon 85mm f/1.2 is a one-trick pony, but man, what a trick. This lens exists for one reason: to give you that impossibly shallow, creamy bokeh that makes portraits look like they were shot on a movie set. Forget autofocus, forget weather sealing, forget versatility. You're buying this for the f/1.2 aperture, period. It's a specialist's tool, and if you're the right kind of shooter, it's kind of magical.
Performance
The numbers tell the story. Its bokeh and aperture are in the top 3% of all lenses we've tested, which is absolutely wild for the price. That means the background blur is genuinely best-in-class. The surprise? The optical quality is just middle of the pack. It's sharp enough, but don't expect clinical perfection wide open. The real performance is in the look, not the lab scores.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The f/1.2 aperture creates absolutely stunning, cinematic bokeh that's hard to beat. 97th
- Build quality feels solid and the manual focus ring is smooth for precise control. 96th
- Surprisingly good value for an f/1.2 lens, undercutting first-party options by a huge margin.
- The 11-blade aperture keeps bokeh balls looking nice and round even when stopped down.
Cons
- It's manual focus only, which is a deal-breaker for action or casual shooting. 15th
- Vignetting is severe at f/1.2, a common complaint from owners in our database. 19th
- Build quality scores in the bottom 20%—it feels okay, but lacks any weather sealing. 22th
- Zero image stabilization, so you'll need steady hands or a high shutter speed.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 9 |
| Groups | 6 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E (Full Frame) |
| Weight | 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Value & Pricing
At just under $1,840, this lens is a steal for an f/1.2. You're getting a look that normally costs twice as much. The catch is you're paying with your own effort—manual focus is the tax. If you're cool with that trade, the value is fantastic.
vs Competition
Don't even look at zooms like the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8; that's a different tool. The real question is manual vs. auto. For autofocus, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is half the price and will nail focus for you, but you lose that magical f/1.2 look. The Meike 55mm f/1.4 is cheaper and has AF, but it's for APS-C sensors, not full-frame. This Mitakon is for the shooter who prioritizes ultimate bokeh over convenience.
| Spec | Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 55mm | 17-70mm | 35mm | 24mm | 25-50mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 |
| Mount | Sony E (Full Frame) | Nikon Z | FUJIFILM X | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 921 | 281 | 544 | 400 | 272 | 635 |
| AF Type | - | STM | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | Zoom | - | Wide-Angle | Zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 | 46.4 | 96.7 | 18.8 | 21.7 | 64.1 | 95.9 | 37.5 | 14.5 | 37.9 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 89.9 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.4 | 77.7 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 92.1 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.6 | 37.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare | 46.4 | 81.8 | 87.6 | 81 | 82.5 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 98 | 99.9 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH. Compare | 46.4 | 86.2 | 73.8 | 67.6 | 94 | 80.6 | 77.7 | 78.1 | 37.9 |
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens work on a Sony A7III without bad vignetting?
It will vignette, especially wide open at f/1.2. That's just part of the optical design. Stop down to f/4 and it mostly clears up, but you buy this lens to shoot at f/1.2, so you have to accept the vignette as part of the character.
Q: Is the manual focus hard to use?
It's smooth and precise, which helps. But nailing focus at f/1.2 on a moving subject is always challenging. Use focus peaking and practice. It's not hard, but it's slow.
Q: Should I buy this or an autofocus 85mm?
If you need to catch fleeting moments, get an autofocus lens. If you craft shots slowly and value bokeh above all else, this is your lens. It's a creative choice, not a practical one.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a do-it-all travel lens or something to chase your kids around with, this isn't it. The manual focus and weight make it a terrible choice. Go get a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 instead and save yourself the frustration.
Verdict
We recommend this lens, but with a giant asterisk. If you shoot controlled portraits, studio work, or artistic video and you love the process of manual focus, buy it. The images have a unique character. If you shoot kids, pets, events, or anything that moves, the lack of autofocus will drive you insane. Get the Viltrox instead.