Zhongyi Optics Mitakon Speedmaster 20mm T1.0 S35 Cine Review

The Zhongyi Optics Mitakon Speedmaster 20mm T1.0 is a budget-oriented cine prime designed for Super35 and APS-C sensors on Sony E-mount. At $499, it aims squarely at solo shooters and indie filmmakers who need a fast wide-angle with proper cine features but can't stretch to the price of a name-brand cinema lens.

The optical design is straightforward with 13 elements in 8 groups, and the T1.0 maximum aperture offers real low-light capability and shallow depth of field control. Cine-friendly features include a 0.8 MOD focus gear, suppressed focus breathing, internal focusing, and dual focus scales in metric and imperial. The 270-degree focus throw and 60-degree iris rotation are workable for manual operation, and the 77mm filter thread keeps accessory costs reasonable.

At 730 grams, it's a manageable weight for gimbal work or handheld run-and-gun. The lack of electronic communication is typical for manual cine glass in this price bracket, so you'll need to dial in settings on camera. The 72-degree horizontal angle of view gives you a usable wide perspective without extreme distortion, and the nine-blade aperture should deliver smooth bokeh when stopped down.