Saturday 11 April 2015

Cosmicar Television Lens 12.5 mm 1:1.9 [C-mount]

After testing Tevidon 10/2 I got my hands on Cosmicar 12.5/1.9. It's a bit narrower lens, produced in Japan with C-mount. It's easily adaptable for Micro Four Thirds. All you need is a simple C-MFT adapter, no need for additional dedicated mounts as for Tevidon.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 on Lumix G2 (Micro Four Thirds camera).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 on Lumix G2 (M4/3 camera).

Ergonomics

Size of the lens is proper for grown man hand. Focus ring is closer to body. The next one is the aperture ring.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 (12.5 mm f1.9)Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 (12.5 mm f1.9)
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 

I didn't find any difficulties adjusting the focus or aperture. However, a few times when I tried to unscrew the lens from the adapter, I managed to unscrew front filter ring. When I tried to do it later it was at random - sometimes it was easy, while more often it seemed to be impossible.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 (12.5 mm f1.9)
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9
Filter ring diameter is 43 mm (checked personally), so unfortunately not very common (although available). Step-up rings are always a good solution, though won't let you use original lens cap.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 (12.5 mm f1.9)
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9

MFT sensor coverage

Sensor coverage is very similar to Tevidon 10/2. Image circle is too small to cover full Micro Four Thirds sensor, however it's a good solution to be used on BMPCC and GH4 UHD crop.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage

Bokeh and sharpness

Bokeh is rather simple in Cosmicar 12.5/1.9. There is no creamy quality, it's not "magic" or swirly as in some C-mount lenses. There is nothing captivating in blurred image parts, what directs this lens more as a solid landscape tool.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - bokeh sample.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - bokeh sample.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - bokeh sample.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - bokeh sample.
However, unlike other C-mount lenses, Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 offers a very good image quality all the way from the centre to the edge on all aperture values. Of course, the lower the aperture, the better the result, but @1.9 it's already sharp, while Tevidon 10/2 was focused only in the image centre, while getting swirly blur towards the edges.

[Forgive me moving branches, it was so windy this day.]

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @2.8 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8.0 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8.0 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - close-up.
Yes, the aperture values go to 22, but it is "clicky" and there is no closed option.

Samples and image quality

Let's take a look at some single shots wide open and further you'll find aperture variations in two series.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9
Depth of field is really nice in close-ups. It is possible to adjust focus at a single plane and blur all the rest. High aperture is definitely a pro!

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - close-up.
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - close-up.
At first a common landscape at the river. I've realised there was some dirt on the lens after coming home, hence the blurry part of the image on the samples.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @2.8 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @2.8 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8.0 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8.0 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - landscape (full Micro Four Thirds sensor).
It's getting sharper with each step to be sharpest @5.6-8. From 11 to 22 sharpness decreases to get significantly reduced in the end.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @1.9 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @2.8 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @2.8 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @4.0 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @5.6 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @8.0 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @22 - landscape (2:3 crop).
Image quality doesn't reveal any "special" features of the lens. It's just a well designed and executed tool for all those, who seek proper quality for the right price, especially in motion.

Summary

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 is a fine lens for those, who look for decent image quality and sharpness to execute on MFT camera. It didn't amazed me as much as Tevidon 10/2, but that's just mine taste - I usually prefer "kinky" lenses with special effects. However, a good tool might not always be outstanding in it's feeling, but a proper ergonomics, satisfying sharpness and overall effect make Cosmicar a good choice for professional work.

4 comments:

  1. The filter ring you wrote is not correct: I think could be 43mm or 44mm.
    I bought a 42mm to 42mm and it's small !!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear fabio,
      I wrote "ca. 42 mm", which is "cirka", so about 42 mm. As I don't have an opportunity to properly test filter size and there are even halves (like 42.5 or 43.5 mm) I don't have any way to give you exact number at the moment. You might want to look for help at facebook groups or forums.

      I'm really sorry for misunderstanding.

      Delete
    2. Dear Fabio,
      it's been a while (almost 2 years), but I've finally managed to check filter diameter and it's definitely 43 mm. Just mounted a filter step-up 43-58 mm and it works like a charm.

      Delete