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 (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 

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

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

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 @8 - 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.

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 @2.8 - 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 @8.0 - close-up.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @11 - close-up.

Cosmicar 12.5/1.9 @16 - 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

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.

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 @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 @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 @11 - 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).

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 @2.8 - 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 @8.0 - 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 @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.