MJ1 macro lens

[Saul]

Anybody tested or had experience with the MJ1 macro lens ?

http://www.stabilizer-pro.com/products/micro-lens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kP_H37GWEs

[Macro_Cosmos]

It is an F13 lens and from what I heard, quite mediocre.

It is known as 秘境一號, mi jing yi hao, or ummm, "mystic land number one"?
Get the Laowa 2.5-5x instead. That price is just, unbelievable.

[Lou Jost]

It is only a four-element lens! I strongly agree with Macro-Cosmos, get the Laowa, whose best aperture is close to f/2.8 rather than f/13.

[Saul]

Thank you , no plans ( even for Laowa) , have to control my GAS
Yes , price is "interesting" ...

Appears there is a MJ1 group on FB, contains some photos

[Macro_Cosmos]

Thank you , no plans ( even for Laowa) , have to control my GAS
Yes , price is "interesting" ...

get the Laowa, whose best aperture is close to f/2.8 rather than f/13.

Price for the full kit is 2999 yuan, which includes the 4-element lens and that plastic flash thing.
So about $470. Taxation and what-not, $618, I think their margins are actually quite thin.
Still cheaper to get from China if one knows how or knows someone who is able to do so on their behalf.

I wonder the origin and motive behind this lens. Did they design it to be a fun novelty, or found a giant lot of large DoF scanner lenses and discovered it worked well as a macro lens?

[Saul]

...picture quality on FB looks better than on their website. Of course, hard to judge from this small size

[PhotogrAzure]

My friend has reviewed this 秘境一号 lens, you may see for yourself: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/yleGsgqI7cVD9fITDUi1TQ
It's in Chinese but Google translate might just do the job.
Spoiler: In short, it's totally rubbish.

[RobertOToole]

Thank you , no plans ( even for Laowa) , have to control my GAS
Yes , price is "interesting" ...

Appears there is a MJ1 group on FB, contains some photos

Hi Saul.

If you want to experiment with a slow Scanner style lens, I have some here someplace I've haven't had a chance to ever test, if I find them I can send them for free!
A simple Polaroid scanner lens is a much better deal, APO corrected 1.8x and f/5.6! A lot better than f/13! I think I have an extra Polaroid scanner lens or two also I can sell for cheap.

Best,

Robert

P.s. if you are curious about the polaroid, follow this link: https://www.closeuphotography.com/polar ... -lens-test

[Saul]

Thanks, Robert, have a bunch of lenses waiting for testing also ...
I'm covered now , just need 72h day instead 24h !

[RobertOToole]

Thanks, Robert, have a bunch of lenses waiting for testing also ... ....

Okay you got me curious now, give us some highlights!

I just shot a 2.5x test that was a really interesting!

Best,

Robert

[Lou Jost]

I just shot a 2.5x test that was a really interesting!

Robert, that would be a magnification where the Laowa 2.5x-5x could excel, about a third of a stop closed down. Were you able to include it in your test?

[RobertOToole]

I just shot a 2.5x test that was a really interesting!

Robert, that would be a magnification where the Laowa 2.5x-5x could excel, about a third of a stop closed down. Were you able to include it in your test?

Yes I did, and f/3.3 was best!

Last night I ran a few lenses, my wife is out of town so I had some free time!

Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x @ f/3.3 (actually my lens gives me a 2.64x image)
Mejiro 90mm + Componon 2.8/35 @ f/4 (at 2.55x)
Canon MacroPhoto 35 2.8/35 (2.55x) @ f/4 (f/3.3 had strong CAs)

For 5x
Laowa 25mm 2.5-5x
Mitutoyo 5x M Plan APO
Olympus 2/20 I have a copy here so I might as well try it but I have a feeling CAs will be an issue
Makro-Symmar 120 + Componon 2.8/28 only 4.3x but it might be a fun one to try
Canon MP-E 65

Any ideas or suggestions let me know. Sorry to go off subject!

Best,

Robert

[dickb]

For 5x the Qioptiq mag.x could be included. And perhaps another stacked combo, a 23 xenoplan plus 120 makro symmar or the 35 componon plus 180mm tube lens.

[Saul]

...Sorry to go off subject!...

No problem, very interesting discussion !

[RobertOToole]

For 5x the Qioptiq mag.x could be included. And perhaps another stacked combo, a 23 xenoplan plus 120 makro symmar or the 35 componon plus 180mm tube lens.

Thanks for the ideas Dick!

Tested all of these yesterday:

2.5x
Laowa 25
Canon MP35
Mejiro 90mm+Componon 2.8/35

4x
Laowa 25
Makro-Symmar 120 + Componon 2.8/28

5x
Laowa 25
Mitutoyo M Plan APO 5x + Raynox 150

I've looked at the RAW results and a lot of people will be surprised I think.

I might add the MP-E 65 at 5x but I'm hesitating since I've already tested this lens at 5x and thats not a good range for it, it's much better at 1-2x.

Best,

Robert