Mitakon Zhongyi Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II Review

So you're looking at the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II. It's a manual focus prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and its whole deal is that massive f/0.95 aperture. That gives you a 70mm equivalent field of view, which is a classic portrait length. At around $359, it's a very specific tool for photographers who want extreme background blur and don't mind focusing by hand. If you're searching for a fast, affordable portrait lens for your MFT camera, this is one of the few options that gets you below f/1.2.

Let's talk about what that f/0.95 aperture actually does. In our tests, its bokeh quality scored in the 97th percentile. That means the out-of-focus areas are really smooth and creamy, which is the whole point of a lens like this. Optically, it's decent for the price, landing in the 66th percentile. You'll get some softness wide open, but that's expected, and it sharpens up nicely by f/2.8. Just know it's all manual. The focus ring is smooth, but there's no autofocus or stabilization. You have to be comfortable with that.

For $359, the value proposition is clear: you get an f/0.95 aperture that most lenses in this price range can't touch. The trade-off is giving up autofocus and stabilization. If you shoot portraits, still life, or controlled video and enjoy manual focusing, it's a steal. If you need autofocus for chasing kids or pets, you'll need to look at alternatives like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7, even though it's not as fast.

The most direct competitor is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z. It has autofocus, which is a huge advantage for many shooters, but its max aperture is f/1.7. That's a full stop and a third slower than the Mitakon's f/0.95, meaning significantly less background blur. The Panasonic 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 is the opposite: super versatile for travel, but its slow aperture makes it terrible for low light or portraits compared to the Speedmaster. For Fujifilm X-mount shooters, the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 is a similar autofocus option, but again, you're giving up that ultra-fast aperture. The Mitakon is for people who prioritize blur over convenience.

Should you buy the Mitakon Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95? It's a yes, but only if you know what you're getting into. This isn't a do-it-all lens. It's a specialist. If you want to create stunning portraits with dreamy, out-of-focus backgrounds on a budget, and you're okay with manual focus, it's fantastic. Its scores for portrait (92.1) and professional work (75.2) back that up. But if you need autofocus for everyday shooting, or if you're a traveler who needs versatility (it scored only 40.4 for travel), look at one of the zooms or an AF prime instead. For the right shooter, it's a lot of fun for not a lot of money.