Your opinion on Jackar Snapshooter 34mm f:1.8 for MFT

lgstoian · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Bucharest

Just discovered that a Hong Kong company under the name Jackar has launched a new MFT(comes for E-mount too) prime lens , the Snapshooter 34mm f:1.8. It costs 190 usd with free shipping and comes in a nifty package that includes a lens hood and a pouch of so called " Genuine Leather". From what I can see it seems that it might be a re-cased C-mount Chinese lens , kinda like the 35mm f:1.7 Fujion. But I have a feeling it might actually be a new lens or at least one with somewhat improved optics over these C-mounts. From images I think that the diameter of the first optical element of the lens is larger then that of the Fujion , but that could be just my mind tricking me. I went over their Flickr examples and to me they do look better then what you get from these C-mounts. The bokeh is by far not the best but is smoother and less crazy ( not as swirly and distorted ). The center sharp area seems a bit larger then on these lenses. Also if none of the images are cropped it looks like it actually can cover even the APS-C sized sensor of the nex completely. I have one of the aforementioned Chinese C-mount lenses ( though not the Fujion ) and I can tell from first hand experience that they vignette like a bitch even opened at max aperture , a problem this Jackar seems to lack. I'm curious if you folks think that this lens has , or not , better optics then the C-mounts.
I'm tempted to buy this lens if the optics are better then the C-mounts.

Here is their site : http://snapshooter.jackarlens.com/eng/pageOverview.php
Flickr samples : http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackarlens

fermy · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 1974

It's hard to be sure, but they are asking a lot of money for an unknown lens. Zuiko 45mm is excellent and a proven performer, has a very fast AF, comes from A-list manufacturer, is supported by the warranty and the price difference is not that great. Also I think it's Fujian in fancier casing, but of course I have no proof of that.

lgstoian · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Bucharest

I would of liked the 45 mm but the price difference isn't quite as small as you say. It is basically double the price , making it quite far out of my budget.

Edit:
I do have a C-mount lens and at least compared to mine the quality is far better. Plus from what I saw of the C-mounts they don't really cover the full sensor not even the 4/3'ds one.

NewStuff · Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 847 Location: Wales, UK

As they are pushing the M4/3 version, I'm wondering if it vignettes on the NEX. I'm sure C-Mount lenses can't cover the sensor.

Still, it's half a 14mm Samyang for me, and though interesting, I'll pass this time around.

lgstoian · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Bucharest

They are actually pushing a E-mount version too. Their flickr page has some samples shot on a NEX and it does look like it is covering the sensor.

fermy · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 1974

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

Looks like remounted c-mount lens to me - too expensive for what it is.
Save a little bit more and you may get a real lens.

Btw: Video on Nex (and also on Pen) is more cropped than the normal still pictures - so on video a lens may not vignette.