SLR Magic 26mm f/1.4 Toy Lens for Micro Four Thirds

So...this is not the most versatile lens you could hope to acquire. That said, it's pretty fun. The effect of the defocus on this lens is really pretty unique, the closest thing I have seen to it is my Lomo Petzval 85mm, and this lens costs less than 1/10 the price, weighs much less, and is far more portable, and generally much easier to use (aperture ring vs. water house plates is far more convenient). This is an effect lens to be sure, and the effect is very pronounced. The nature of the bokeh on this thing is legitimately pretty unique, and at the price (I payed < 50 US) it's well worth it if you're looking for something different. The vignette on this thing is crazy, like it goes to a full circle at the extremes, and the extremes are much of the aperture range. I found the images almost unusable wide open, with the contrast and saturation getting pretty washed out, but by f/2.8 (which I have thus far discerned as the optimal performance point for this particular lens), the vignetting is down to a workable level, the sharpness in the center is genuinely impressive, and the color and contrast are actually pretty intense. It's a cool, and fun lens.

I got this lens to put on my Panasonic GM1 (my pocket camera) to do some experimental photography - street, landscape, maybe even some limited still life. I like the small size coupled with the focal length and maximum aperture. It fits well with my idea of what a pocket camera should be and do. The lens is completely manual but that is no problem for me. Be sure to first turn on the Shoot Without Lens feature for the camera. Then it just feels like shooting with a late 60's - early 70's vintage camera. For exposure I put the GM1 in aperture priority mode, set my aperture manually, and the camera selects the shutter speed. Manual focusing takes some getting used to if you're not familiar with the process, but I am familiar so it's no big deal. Image quality is as good as you can expect for a low cost lens. The central portion of the image resolves plenty of detail even at the widest apertures. At wide apertures the bokeh is definitely unusual, but that's why you're getting the lens, right? If you're expecting 1500 lens IQ and deliciously creamy bokeh, you need to look elsewhere. In case it's not clear, the lens has a threaded screw mount that screws into a provided adapter plate for micro 4/3s. It goes on the camera easily because twisting the lens on only tighten the thread mount to the adapter. To remove is not so easy. There are serrations on opposite sides of the plate edge that allow you to get a grip on the plate. You have to use them to twist the plate because twisting the lens just unscrews it from the plate, or at least it did for me. The plate is thin and gripping the serrations took a little practice. It's still not as easy as gripping the lens and twisting. I did encounter one gotcha! - I could not thread on a 30.5 mm filter or step-up adapter. The threads on both were oblviously too big and I could not mount either one. I think the filter threads on the lens are 30 mm, not 30.5 mm. I'm inclined to believe the filter and adapter were correct because the adapter screwed into the filter with no problem. This loss of function means I can't use the lens with my full spectrum camera which requires various filters to be used. I'm a little disappointed with this situation. All in all I'm satisfied with the lens. I had a pretty good idea what I was getting when I ordered it. I do recommend that you check out various blogs for more information about the lens and example images so you can gauge whether this lens is what you're looking for.