Silver Mitakon Mark II 0.95/35mm vs its "Dark Side" version

[yukosteel]

Decided to share few interesting observations from comparing "two color" versions of exact same lens - Mitakon Mark II 0.95/35mm.

 

There are few obvious differences displayed on dealers site pictures - newer version has silver aluminum frame, red numbers for ft, and red dot marker for aperture position.

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Deeper look unveils one more difference - silver version has more yellowish and greenish tint on glass surfaces, comparing to its "Dark Side" version.

 

Same from the rear look

 

One more positive difference in this new silver sample - aperture blades don't shake inside on f0.95 value (they do in the black version).

 

Other than that both lens deliver exactly same sharpness and contrast indoor. Will be interesting to try them under different light. Will share if notice any other difference.

And to my taste silver version looks more natural on Fuji-X silver/chrome bodies : )

[yukosteel]

Didn't notice any difference while shooting, despite the different coating both lens deliver same results.

 

However my silver sample had issue with focusing ring. I didn't notice it much until compared with silky smooth focusing on black sample.

There was about 1-2mm lag on changing focus direction, which makes precise focusing a bit slower process.

 

Chinese seller offered return and replace, but that's too much time, so decided to fix that locally.

I've disassembled helicoid and re-distributed white grease. I've also adjusted better positions of helicoid lockers.

It solved the issue, now lens is focusing very smooth without any lag.

 

Few shots, all at f0.95

ISO200, 1/1700s, +2/3EV


ISO800, 1/60s


ISO1250, 1/60s

 

 

Few daily close up shots at f2 - f2.8

[Aswald]

Wow....amazingly sharp at F0.95!

[Jaco van Lith]

What is the maximum speed of a red Ford Mustang compared to a white Mustang ?

[CDBC]

It is what it is. Though the white Mustang will of course reflect more light. 

[quincy]

The Red one goes faster

[Sluw]

The difference of colour of the glass is interesting though... the inside of the lens is/should be the same colour. Usually I'd say it's a different coating but that would be strange...