TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian [C-mount]

As you could've found out from previous posts, Fujian C-mount lenses are known for their unusual quality and effects. Fujian 35/1.7 is a great portrait lens with swirly bokeh. Fujian 25/1.4 becomes a very nice "standard" lens with same effects and extra vignetting. Being led by that trail I decided to buy Fujian 50/1.4, just for it's unique effects. Well... did I nailed it? Um...

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian (C-mount)

First of all it looks almost alike 35/1.7. The only difference is larger front lens.

Fujian happy family (from the left):
TV lens 25/1.4 aka Fujian
Fujian TV lens GDS-35 35/1.7
TV lens 50/1.4 aka Fujian

Mounts up!

I got mine with a tiny chip/scratch and dirty front lens. First samples were a bit blurry, so I cleaned it and realised that the flaw is on the second lens. Anyway, I don't think it affects image quality. At least not so much...

First samples I took some samples that showed major chromatic aberration on light elements and discouraged me from using it for must-be-sharp tasks.

Camera: Lumix G2
Mount: C-mount > Micro Four Thirds
Aperture: 1.4 (unless stated otherwise)
Edit: PS CS6 50% scaling

The photo on the right shows a bit of a flare from directing it to the sun. 

You might say it's acceptable, but compared to 35/1.7 and 25/1.4 its quality is really poor. Not to mention Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 (OM) Flare is dreamy and bokeh seems fine, but sharpness is just below my expectations (even though the price was $35 on eBay).

Last night was really snowy, so a lot of whites is going to screw with lens a lot. It means the "50" might work better in mid-tones, but for snow (and beach I suppose) it's... just take a look:

Centre of the image is blurry, but if you zoom in, you might see that there's a tiny branch on the top, that seems to be in focus. What's going on?

Not that bad. Yet, not supa-sharp.

Here comes the killer! This plant cadaver wasn't blueish or purplish at all! Even bokeh shows some major chromatic aberration.

Here's the one I like. I mean, not all of it, but the way the building and all that signs in the distance look just makes me feel good :) I guess that's partially the lens and partially the weather.

Aperture tests!!!
Well... there's no mark to identify the exact aperture, so I decided to shoot a bit with various settings and then to calculate. Aperture values (besides 1.4) are estimated.

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @1.4, 1/400 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @2.0, 1/200 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @2.8, 1/125 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @1.4, 1/320 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @1.8, 1/200 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @2.0, 1/160 s

TV lens 50 mm 1:1.4 aka Fujian @3.2, 1/50 s

As you can see, it starts to look pretty good at F1.8. Aperture value of 2.0 gives a really decent results.
To sum up, it might be a good lens, but not as fast as manufacturer wants it to be.

And one more thing. Important for those who like shooting in winter. It's almost impossible to use it with thick gloves - you will change focus and aperture ring at once :)