Chinon 50mm f/1.9 Auto

Chinon 50mm 1.9 Auto-1

Chinon 50mm f/1.9 Auto. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Chinon 50mm 1.9 Auto-2

Barrel
Plastic

Weight
4.5 oz (127g)

Focus Type
Manual Focus.

Focus Ring
Plastic.

Close Focus
1.75 feet (0.5 meters).

Filter Threads
49mm, Plastic

Aperture Ring
Plastic

Diaphragm
6 blades stopping down to f/16.

Mount
Pentax Metal Mount.

Made in
Japan


f/1.9 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/8

 

100% Crop

f/1.9 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/8

 

Corner f/1.9

Corner f/1.9

Sharpness
f/1.9 Pretty soft but still sharp for being wide open. The lens suffers from heavy coma, and spherical aberration, and a little chromatic aberration but contrast is not too bad.
f/2.8: Sharpens up really nicely but still suffers from coma and a bit of chromatic aberration.
f/3.5: Sharper yet with almost no chromatic aberration.
f/4: Sharper yet.
f/8: Sharper yet.

Vignetting
There is quite a bit of vignetting at f/1.9 and clears at f/2.8 and only a hint at f/3.5.

Bokeh
Very poor and very distracting.

 

 

Distortion
There is a little bit of Barrel Distortion but a lot less then expected. One of the best features of the lens.

Recommendations
On MF Camera
Optics:         ★ ★
Mechanics:  ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:   ★ ★
Availability:    ★ ★
Overall:          ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics:   ★ ★ ★
Overall:           ★ ★
Out of 5

If you want a very light and small lens that could easily fit in your pocket then this lens is perfect. Optically the lens suffers from quite a bit of spherical aberration and coma making the lens very hazy when shot wide open. It takes a fair bit of stopping down to clear it. Sharpness is fine but nothing too exciting. It seems they intended the lens to be a f/2 but managed to get f/1.9 out of it.

The build quality is very cheap feeling and the focus grip looks rubber but it’s actually molded plastic. If you can find one kicking around for a good price then it’s fun to play with but I wouldn’t go looking for this lens.

 

Did this review help?
My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd