Cosmicar Television Lens 25 mm 1:1.4 [C-mount]

25 mm is a standard focal length for micro four thirds cameras (eq. of 50 mm for Full Frame aka type 135). Luckily, there are many lenses with C-mount that would work perfectly. So far I mentioned only Fujian 25/1.4, that was a cheap tool available. Recently I've found a bargain Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 with slightly distorted filter ring and oily aperture, but with perfect glass condition.

 Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4

Lens is larger than Fujian 25/1.5, closer to Fujian 35/1.7. It's still a very compact lens that weighs ca. 100 grams (3.5 oz.). However it's still can be comfortably used. Focus ring is closer to the body, but it's wide and accessible.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 on Lumix G2 (M4/3 camera)

Cosmicar 25/1.4 doesn't need mount conversion or any adjustments. I've used simple thin adapter from eBay that works perfectly. 

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - C-mount [rear side]

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - filter thread [front side]

MFT sensor coverage

Unfortunately there is some slight vignetting visible on full Micro Four Thirds sensor.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @2.8

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @22

As you can see vignetting changes significantly with aperture value. I believe there might be part of the lens hood (or rather filter thread) visible. Although my Cosmicar was a bargain, I don't want to file it off.

Depth of field

Cosmicar 25/1.4 is a fast lens so DoF should be shallow and of course it is.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @1.4 

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @2.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @2.8

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @4.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @5.6

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @8.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @11

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @16

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - close focus @22

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - f1.4-22 animation

Lens flare

Flaring is obviously visible, but I must tell you, it took me a while to set a proper frame to show some "extras". It wasn't that easy - lens works better directly against the light, then when light source appears from the side.

I like last samples the most, where closing aperture causes light rays to revolve.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @1.4

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @2.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @2.8

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @4.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @5.6

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @8.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @11

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @16

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - against the sun @22

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - f1.4-22 animation

Bokeh

Samples below were taken against the sun with focus set at closest value. Aperture is octagonal and can be adjusted from f1.4 to f22 by 1 f-stop with clicks. 

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @1.4

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @2.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @2.8

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @4.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @5.6

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - bokeh @8.0

Image quality and samples

As you might have noticed from previous photos, Cosmicar 25/1.4 is glowing quite heavily at f1.4. It's significantly reduced @2.0 and gone @2.8. This feature can be considered a flaw, but also a good way to build atmosphere for some vintage or romantic image.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - heavy glow on tree branches and leaves @1.4

Two samples below illustrate it perfectly.

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @1.4

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @2.8

One more set of same frame with different aperture settings:

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @1.4

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @2.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @2.8

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @4.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @5.6

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @8.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @11

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @16

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @22

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @2.0

Cosmicar Television Lens 25/1.4 - @8.0

Conclusion

If you are a MFT or BMPCC user, you shouldn't be afraid of Cosmicar 25/1.4. It has its flaws, but it's quite a nice piece of glass and metal. High aperture values provide decent image quality, where fastest value f1.4 produces nostalgic, vintage look. If you have the opportunity, grab one and test it yourself!