TV LENS f=50mm 1:1.4 review (CCTV, APS-C, Sony E, Fujian)

Navigation

1. In short
2. Main Specifications
3. Assembly
4. Focusing
5. Image quality
6. Sample Photos
7. My experience
8. Alternatives
9. All Sony APS-C E cameras
10. All original lenses for Sony APS-C E
11. Price
12. Results
13. User Comments
14. Add your review or question on the lens

Please note that this lens does not have any identification marks on its body. On its body is written only 'TV LENS f=50mm 1:1.4', and on its box there is only one single inscription related to the brand or name: 'CCTVLENS'. This lens is often referred to as 'FUJIAN 50/1.4' by analogy with other similar solutions, for example, FUJIAN CHINA TV LENS GDS-35 f=35mm 1:1.7. In this review, for convenience, I will call it exactly the same - FUJIAN 50/1.4.

This lens has a C-MOUNT mount (thread) and can be easily mounted on any modern cropped mirrorless camera using a simple and cheap adapter. In the review, I used a FUJIAN 50 / 1.4 lens with an adapter C-mount -> Sony E/NEX (black color, but there are silvery).

It's important: FUJIAN 50/1.4 is available in two body colors: black and silver. This review shows the version with a black body color.

It's important: FUJIAN 50/1.4 is available in two versions, with 12 blades and 6 blades. The 6-blade version only works on an MFT sensor or smaller (Nikon 1). This review shows a version with 12 aperture blades, which can work with grief in half on cameras with an APS-C sensor. The 6-blade version is easily identified by the different design of the ribs on the focus and aperture ring, as well as the front element, which is much closer to the filter thread.

In short

Fujian 50 / 1.4 - a modern fast lens with manual focus, uses a C-MOUNT mount, which makes it easy to adapt on any modern mirrorless camera. Covers the APS-C sensor with strong reservations. One of the cheapest such fixes for cameras with an APS-C sensor and a declared maximum aperture of F / 1.4.

50 mm is a focal length that allows the Fujian 50/1.4 to be used as a creative lens for a huge number of different photo tasks.

Fujian 50 / 1.4 is interesting for its very low price and maximum aperture ratio of 1: 1.4, as well as a 12-bladed diaphragm. Has very serious optical flaws when used on APS-C. Best suited for Micro 4/3 system cameras. Real aperture very far from T/1.4.

Fujian 50/1.4 - very weak solution. Other lenses from Fujian, namely 25/1.8, 35/1.6, 35/1.7, look much more worthy.

UPDATE: list of all lenses FUJIAN here.

Main technical characteristics of TV LENS f=50mm 1:1.4

Review Instance Name	On the case: TV LENS f=50mm 1:1.4 On the box: CTVLENS
Basic properties	The lens uses a C-mount, which is easily adapted to mirrorless cameras, such as Sony E Manual focus only Manual iris control Metal mount, metal body Multi-Enlightened Optics
Front Filter Diameter	35 mm
Focal length	50 mm EGF for cameras Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm, Leica T/TL, Samsung NX with APS-C sensor is 75 mm EGF for cameras Canon EOS M и Canon EOS RF-S is 80 mm EGF for system cameras Micro 4/3 is 100 mm EGF for system cameras Nikon 1 is 135 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	The mount easily adapts to modern mirrorless systems with a simple adapter
Number of aperture blades	12 rounded petals
Tags	focusing distance scale, only in meters: 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 4 meters and infinity mark
Diaphragm	from F / 1.4 to F / 16, controlled using the aperture control ring. There are marks for F / 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 16. The ring rotates without clicks, smoothly
MDF	0.3 meters
The weight	102 grams (measured, lens without caps and adapter)
Optical design	unknown Picture not found
Lens hood	Must be screwed into the front filter thread; marking unknown
Manufacturer country	Made in China (there is no data on the country of manufacture on the lens itself)
Period	Around 2017
Price	View on Aliexpress

It's important: f/1.4 aperture here is 'not real', with light transmission in the region of T/2.2. I compared Fujian 50 / 1.4 with a lens Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC DN C (Contemporary). At f/1.4, the Fujian 50/1.4 lens provides the same exposure as Sigma 30mm 1:1.4 DC DN C at F / 2.0.

Lately I have been careful about the maximum aperture, there have already been many cases of cheating with the indication of the real maximum aperture by some Chinese manufacturers, for example, this was the case with Pergear 35 / 1.6 (T/2.4).

Assembly

The lens came to the review completely new, in a sealed box. The box contains the lens itself with front and rear caps with a C-NEX adapter.

The design of the case completely repeats FUJIAN CHINA TV LENS GDS-35 f=35mm 1:1.7.

In general, the lens is assembled well, although it is noticeable that it is a little rough. Fujian 50/1.4 has metal mount for bayonet, and the lens case itself is completely made of metal.

The front cover of the lens is plastic, fits snugly to the frame of the body.

The weight of the lens is just over 100 grams. In the hands of the lens feels like a nice thing.

The diameter of the filters is only 35 mm (rare diameter).

The diaphragm consists of 12 petals and forms a round hole at any values, while in the photographs in the blur zone, rather round discs of blur are obtained at any aperture. The diaphragm can only be controlled manually using a special ring. Aperture ring rotates smoothly no clicks and fixed values, you can set any intermediate value in the range of F / 1.4-F / 16, which is very useful during movie shooting.

The aperture control ring rotates smoothly. There was no place at all for the F / 8 and F / 11 marks on the aperture control ring.

It's important: when mounted on the camera, the focusing distance scale and the aperture scale are located on the bottom of the camera (most likely a problem due to the adapter).

Focusing

The focus ring is metal, ribbed, comfortable. The ring spins on 90 degrees. Focusing is smooth.

During focusing, the trunk of the lens does not move forward and does not rotate. During focusing, the entire lens block moves, but in the middle of the lens barrel. We can talk about virtual internal focusing.

On the ring there is a scale with a focusing distance, but only in meters. The minimum focusing distance is 30 centimeters, but in practice with an adapter C-mount -> Sony E/NEX MDF is about 50 centimeters.

Fujian 50/1.4 has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect. During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.

Focus Shift (change in focusing distance due to aperture) is missing.

Hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for fast and accurate focusing under any operating temperature conditions, the lens does not have. With adapter C-mount -> Sony E/NEX (included) there is a small flight of infinity at the extreme position of the focus ring.

Focus peaking with Fujian 50/1.4 and cameras Sony a3500 and a Sony NEX-6 works well at F / 1.4.

Image quality

Most likely, the lens is built on a fairly simple optical design, from which it is difficult to expect anything special. The scheme also has a negative effect on the bokeh, which is rather 'nervous' in the Fujian 50/1.4.

Sharpness

1. F / 1.4 lens has poor resolution in the center of the frame, below the level of other inexpensive similar lenses
2. with aperture down to f/2.8 resolution becomes excellent
3. there is an absolutely catastrophic drop in sharpness to the edges and corners of the frame (on APS-C) at any aperture value
4. First of all, the drop in resolution to the edges and corners of the frame is due to the fact that this lens was not originally designed to work with APS-C sensors
   
5. mediocre contrast
6. palpable coma

Distortion

1. there is a small barrel-shaped distortion
2. distortion is unified, easy to edit in the editor

Vignetting (it's important)

1. vignetting increases with focus towards infinity. Most noticeable when focusing on infinity and least noticeable when focusing on MDF
2. vignetting increases with closing the aperture (it is with closing, this happens with lenses that are not designed for one or another sensor size)
3. critical vignetting (completely black corners and edges of the image) while focusing at infinity and f / 16 [example] (disappears completely when using the 'Magnification 1.3X' function, which gives an additional crop factor 1.3X. This function allows you to take only the central area of ​​the image, cutting off the edges and corners)
4. critical vignetting (completely black corners of the image) when focusing on MDF and F / 16 [example] (disappears completely when using the 'Magnification 1.1X' function, which gives an additional crop factor 1.1X. This function allows you to take only the central area of ​​the image, cutting off the edges and corners)
5. slight vignetting at f/1.4 while focusing at infinity [example]
6. weak vignetting at f / 1.4 while focusing on MDF [example]
7. this lens can only be very remotely considered as one that covers APS-C sensors with crop factor Kf = 1.5X.

Aberration

1. there is a noticeable amount of chromatic aberration
2. chromatic aberration significantly amplified from the center of the frame to its periphery
3. there is a noticeable frigging (the color of contrasting elements in the out-of-focus area is purple or green)

Rest

1. poor color rendering
2. on covered apertures it is difficult to achieve a beautiful effect of a 12-ray star
3. from bright light sources you can get a huge amount of glare, while they can be of enormous size (example)

Important: at the time of writing this review, there was no Fujian 50/1.4 profile for popular RAW converters. You can create a profile yourself or wait for its release.

Sample Photos

Sample photos on Sony a3500 (Sony Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor at 20 MP). All photos are JPEGs from the camera.

Original JPEG images can be view / download from this link (40+ files, Google Drive gallery).

My experience

I often look for something interesting among cheap solutions. This time I ran into a frankly weak lens for working on APS-C.

It's a pity that F/1.4 is 'not real' here, with the real value being around T/2.2. Strongly afraid of light. Covers APS-C poorly (only at close focusing distances and open apertures). Chinese lenses from more famous brands such as 7Artisans 55mm F / 1.4, or Meike 50mm 1: 2, will be much more interesting.

Fujian 50 / 1.4 refers to the so-called CCTV lenses, they are also called TV LENS, which are most often used in CCTV cameras. Most often, such lenses are designed for cameras with a sensor no larger than an inch and cannot cover large sensors (like APS-C). In the same case, the Fujian 50/1.4 easily copes with the MFT sensor and barely with the APS-C sensor. On the lens box itself, it is indicated that it is designed for 2/3-inch sensors.

Alternatives

Similar manual focus lenses and similar aperture for mirrorless crop cameras with APS-C sensor, there are already quite a few. Alternatively, I would point out the following options:

1. 7Artisans 50mm F / 1.8 (EF-M, E, X, M4/3)
2. 7Artisans 55mm F / 1.4 (EF-M, E, X, Leica L, M4/3)
3. 7Artisans 55mm F / 1.4 II (EF-M, E, X, Z, M4/3)
4. Meike 50mm 1: 2 (EF-M, E, X, M4/3)
5. PERGEAR 50mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC (E, X, M4/3)
6. Brightin Star 50mm 1: 1.4 (EF-M, E, X, M4/3)

All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

• NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, NEX-3Women
• NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-5R, NEX-5T [fifth series on AliExpress.com]
• NEX-6, NEX-7
• a3000, a3500
• a5000, a5100
• a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700 [6000 series on Ali]
• ZV-E10
• FX30
• QX1
• Hasselblad lunar

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

1. Sony 11 mm f/1.8 (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
2. Sony 15 mm f / 1.4 G (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
3. Sony 16 mm f/2.8 (overview) [2010, silver, AliExpress price]
4. Sony 20 mm f/2.8 (announcement) [2013, silver, AliExpress price]
5. Sony 24 mm f / 1.8 ZEISS ZA (overview) [2011, black]
6. Sony 30 mm f / 3.5 MACRO (overview) [2011, silver, AliExpress price]
7. Sony 35 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
   
8. Sony 50 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, AliExpress price]

Zoom Lenses:

1. Sony 10-18 mm f / 4 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
   
2. Sony 10-20 mm f / 4 G PZ (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
3. Sony 16-50 mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS (overview) [2012, black/silver, AliExpress price]
4. Sony 16-55 mm f / 2.8 G (overview) [2019, black, AliExpress price]
5. Sony 16-70 mm f / 4 OSS ZEISS ZA (overview) [2013, black, AliExpress price]
   
6. Sony 18-50 mm f/4-5.6 (overview) [2014, black]
7. Sony 18-55 mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2010, black/silver]
8. Sony 18-105 mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2013, black, AliExpress price]
   
9. Sony 18-110 mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2016, black]
   
10. Sony 18-135 mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2018, black, AliExpress price]
    
11. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS (overview) [2010, silver, AliExpress price]
12. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS LE (overview) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
    
13. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 PZ OSS (announcement) [2012, black]
    
14. Sony 55-210 mm f / 4.5-6.3 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, AliExpress price]
15. Sony 70-350 mm f/4.5–6.3 G OSS (announcement) [2019, black, AliExpress price]

Third-party autofocus lenses for Sony E APS-C:

• Sigma: Sigma C 16 / 1.4 | Sigma A 19 / 2.8 | Sigma EX 19 / 2.8 | Sigma C 30 / 1.4 | Sigma EX 30 / 2.8 | Sigma A 30 / 2.8 | Sigma C 56 / 1.4 | Sigma A 60 / 2.8 | Sigma C 10-18 / 2.8 | Sigma C 18-50 / 2.8
• felttrox: Viltrox 13 / 1.4 | Viltrox 23 / 1.4 | felttrox 27/1.2 | Viltrox 33 / 1.4 | Viltrox 56 / 1.4 | felttrox 75/1.2
• Tamron: Tamron 11-20 / 2.8 | Tamron 17-70 / 2.8 VC | Tamron 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 VC | Tamron 18-300 / 3.5-6.3 VC
• tokina: Tokina 23 / 1.4 | Tokina 33 / 1.4 | Tokina 56 / 1.4 | Tokina 11-18 / 2.8
• Zeiss: Zeiss Touit Distagon 12/2.8 | Zeiss Touit Planar 32/1.8 | Zeiss Touit Makro Planar 50/2.8M
• Hasselblad: Hasselblad E 3.5-5.6 / 18-55 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 3.5-6.3 / 18-200 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 2.8 / 16 LF
• yongnuo: Yongnuo 11 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 16 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8
• TTArtisan: TTArtisan 27 / 2.8 | TTArtisan 35 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 56 / 1.8
• Brightin star: Brightin Star 50 / 1.4
• Meike: Meike 55 / 1.4
• 7Artisans: 7Artisans 27 / 2.8
• Samyang: Samyang 12 / 2

Many interesting manual solutions are provided by Chinese manufacturers and brands. 7Artisans, TTartisan, Meike, Neewer, PerGear, Kamlan, Brightin star, Mitakon Zhongyi, Venus laowa, Fujian, ARTRALAB, AstrHori other. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters are also interesting Viltrox Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X и Metabones Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X... List of full-frame cameras and lenses Sony FE (Full Frame E) here

Price

Fujian 50/1.4 costs around $25. The easiest way buy Fujian 50/1.4 at Aliexpress.comFor example, here at this link.

Results

Fujian 50 / 1.4 - a tiny lens. Very cheap. The image quality is not impressive, and the 'lens pattern' is very 'rough'. Best suited for Micro 4/3 cameras, cameras with an APS-C sensor will have serious image quality problems at the edges and corners of the frame. Light transmission is at the level of high-quality class 50/2.0 lenses (with T/2.2). In general, the lens is very weak on APS-C and just weak on Micro 4/3.

10 main advantages

1. very low price tag about 25 dollars)
2. virtually internal focus
3. declared maximum aperture F / 1.4
4. good build quality: the lens body is completely made of metal, including a metal mount
5. very compact sizes
6. claimed minimum focusing distance of only 30cm (less than normal for a 50mm lens)
7. twelve aperture blades
8. smooth aperture adjustment (no clicks)
9. there is a focus distance scale
10. excellent resolution in the center of the frame after f / 2.8

10 main disadvantages

1. in fact, this is a NO-NAME lens (lens without a name), which does not inspire any confidence
2. aperture lens, expressed in T-stops, is at the level of T / 2.2 (this value is typical for lenses with a maximum relative aperture of 1: 2)
3. focus ring rotates only 90 degrees
4. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
5. real MDF is about 50 centimeters (it is stated about 30 centimeters, perhaps this is an adapter problem, there were no macro rings in the delivery set, usually they are)
6. there are no F / 8 and F / 11 values ​​​​on the aperture control ring. The distance scale is marked only in meters.
7. there is no lens profile for popular RAW converters, the lens is not 'hardwired' into modern cameras
8. strong glare in the backlight, a strong drop in contrast in the side light
9. catastrophic drop in sharpness at f / 1.4 at the edges and corners of the image (on APS-C)
10. the lens does not cover APS-C sensors with a crop of Kf = 1.5, creating strong vignetting, especially at covered apertures and focusing at infinity

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram