A Halloween-themed lens comparison

I wanted to compare two lenses before my Japan trip next month: the Hasselblad XCD f/1.9 80mm and my recently purchased Mitakon f/1.4 65mm. Specifically, I wanted to see if they would produce images that were similar enough to warrant leaving one of them home. Both lenses are quite heavy and relatively large, and I do love to keep my travel kit as light as possible.

Driving around my neighborhood, I came across this severed head - a willing and able model for this quick lens comparison test.

Mitakon 65mm shot wide-open at f/1.4

Hasselblad XCD 80mm shot wide-open at f/1.9

My findings: the Mitakon is quite a bit softer wide-open, but with a pleasant, vintage-looking glow. The Hasselblad is much sharper and has more micro-contrast. The Mitakon’s bokeh is very pleasant - maybe more so than the Hasselblad. Both lenses provide plenty of subject separation wide-open.

For the sake of keeping my camera backpack somewhat light on my upcoming trip, I think I will leave the Mitakon at home this time. But I am really impressed by the look this lens produces. Wide-open, it reminds me of vintage Walter Mandler-designed Leica Summilux and Noctilux glass.

Happy Halloween!