My way too early review of the Fuji GFX 50sii and the Mitakon 65mm f1.4 in 2025
If you’re reading this, you are probably a little medium format curious. If you are anything like me, you are considering picking up a GFX system with the Mitakon 65mm f1.4 in mind. It certainly is a captivating enough lens to consider picking up an entirely different camera system for it. I have been shooting primarily on Canon and Leica for the past several years. I made the transition to a Leica q2 after shooting on the Fujifilm x100v for a number of years. The switch from Fuji to Leica was far more abrupt than any of the youtubes said it would be. The narrative that the x100v and the q2 are in the same camp is preposterous. I have been hesitant to pick up a GFX because I know how much more I liked my Leica over my last Fuji.
When was the last time a single piece of gear stood out as a real game changer for you? For me it was the Leica Q2. That camera fundamentally changed me as a photographer. Just like you, I hear about the Mitakon 65mm and the hype is intriguing. So I sell my Canon RF 85mm F1.2 and get a GFX 50sii and the Mitakon 65mm f1.4. This review is after only a month of shooting on it. I find that short term reviews based on first impressions can be illuminating in their own way. This camera is less about “what you have to get used to” and more about “Is this piece of equipment giving me something different.
Does the Mitakon live up to the expectations?
I loved my Pentax 67/105mm f2.4 and many have compared that look and experience to that of the Mitakon 65. Does it match that look? Yeah, I would say it does. To be honest with you, the whole experience feels rather similar. The lens doesn’t have the smoothest focus ring, but it can be an enjoyable experience to slow down and be present with this camera. The camera actually forces you to slow down as much as the lens does. There is a lengthy blackout after each shot, even at fast shutter speeds, the haptic feeling of the shutter is very slow. The images have that same soft and dreamy look that you get with the Pentax. However, missing focus on this system is going to happen to you often and it’s hideous when you miss. I honestly don’t know what the difference is but when I would miss focus on the Pentax, it didn’t totally ruin the image. As if there was something pleasing about the soft, slightly missed focus. With the Mitakon, when you miss, it looks like a failure.
When it hits, it hits.
When used in appropriate situations and when the focus is successful, this gives you stunning results in camera. If you are looking for a camera to shoot Jpegs that you intend to send straight to your phone (and subsequently Instagram obviously), this camera and lens will absolutely be that camera for you. The fuji color, the dynamic range, sharpness, it is all really quite good on the 50sii.
Only a month in, I am a huge fan of this system. I decided to buy a few other manual focus (some vintage and some modern) for the camera. I kind of want this kit to fully replace my Mamiya RZ67 and take over the type of work I used it for. I honestly haven’t spent much time with the other lenses because the Mitakon really is that unique. I think most photographers interested in that lens would be happy having that be their only G mount lens.
Thank you for reading this review! Here are some more images from this system after a month of using it.
