MS Optics ISM 50mm f1.0 M Mount – A Baroque Creamy Lens
MS Optics ISM 50mm f1.0 M Mount - A Baroque Creamy Lens
Lens Review
MS Optics ISM 50mm f1.0 M Mount – A Baroque Creamy Lens
First time I heard about this MS Optics 50/1.0 M Mount lens was from an announcement in JCH’s post. The article was about Miyazaki san designing an ultra-fast f1.0 lens mentioned this 50mm is super compact equipped with thin and light high power glasses and I immediately got hooked on it. I once had an MS Optics Perar 35mm f3.5 II, even today I still miss this lens and always wanted to get it again. It is a very compact lens that has a special hue from Japanese made glass, especially on Leica M9.
Alright back to this 50mm f1.0 lens, I tried to look for sample photos on this new MS Optics 50mm f1.0 ISM, unfortunately, there are only a few samples on the internet about this lens but it made me wonder what is the difference between this and the Noctilux / Canon f0.95?
MS Optics 50mm f/1.0 ISM
It is weighted at 400g available in multiple finishings such as black chrome, black paint and silver. My favourite was the black paint version, aesthetically with the green purple lens coating on it just to make it look super handsome. Some details about the lens
- 7 elements in 5 groups Gauss type
- f1.05, 51.5mm with 10 full multi-coat surfaces
- Minimum focusing at 0.8m
- 16 rounded aperture blades producing extra round bokeh
- Filter size 55mm
- Hood is using male to female adapter reverse adoption
- Diameter of 50mm
- 67mm filter if you want to attach on the hood
Lens Performance
Strong flare at full aperture results in lower contrast but sharpness and resolution is very high. Once you stop down the lens to f1.4 closing down to f2 all flare is gone. At f1.0, spherical aberration (glow) and coma was strong and it reminds me of Leica Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph (version 2) and Canon 50mm f0.95 at wide open. Vignette was strong from f1.0 to f2.8 but it has the best vignette at f5.6 but resulted in a slight dark corner at f8.0. When I refer to phillireeve’s review, I found the same thing happened at f8.0. Maybe Miyazaki san didnt design the lens with an image circle that is big enough to cover the whole full frame sensor.
My Only Complaint - Vignette
Same as above mentioned, vignette does not get better even when you stop down the lens at infinity. F11 is probably the worst. Since it is a block focusing mechanism, the vignette is less obvious when you are focusing closer to the subject.
Baroque Creamy Character
To answer those who are interested in getting this lens, if you like Baroque painting such as Rembrandt which has dramatic contrast with super strong character like Canon 50mm f0.95, Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM and wild figure like Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph that bokeh is not clean but they can bring you interesting “effects”.
More images with Leica M9P
Looking for Cameras / Lenses or Gears?
If you have any questions related to film photography and you would like to source any cameras and gears, feel free to email me or subscribe for free photography tips below.
Support this Community
You may support TAHUSA $5 a month with a coffee or beer, you can help support the keeping up this place or subscribe for exclusive content in my Patreon.
Recent Posts
Solo Exhibition – We Have Seen Better Days
Travelling through Scotland: Reflx Lab’s 120 Kodak Vision 3 50D with Pentax 67II
A Conversation with a Pro – Why Film Photography is Still So Attractive
New addition Voigtlander 35mm f/1.5 Asph VM Lens and Its Sleek Square Hood
The Widelux F8: My Unexpected Creative Companion
Joining the Bicep Club: My Rollercoaster Ride with the new Pentax 67II
