Last updated on 2026-04-26
A review and sample photographs using the MS-Optics ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 standard lens with the LEICA M-P typ240 digital rangefinder camera, and the HASSELBLAD X1D-50C and LEICA T typ701 mirrorless cameras.
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Table of contents
Gallery
The following cameras were used to take the sample photos.
- Leica M-P
- HASSELBLAD X1D-50c
- LEICA T typ701
Review
1．Overview
The MS_OPTICS ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 is a large-aperture standard lens released by Ms-optics (Miyazaki Optical), employing an Ernostar lens configuration.
A 55mm focal length with an Ernostar configuration is unusual; Ernostar configurations are generally used for lenses with focal lengths of around 90mm to 135mm, making 55mm a wide-angle lens for this type. This lens was created due to the dedication of MS-OPTICS designer Sadayasu Miyazaki, who wanted to create a large-aperture standard lens using the Ernostar configuration.
The lens specifications are as follows; further details are provided in the specifications and analysis section.
- Aperture: F1.2
- Lens Construction: 4 elements in 4 groups, Ernostar type
- Aperture Blades: 10
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 1.0m (down to 0.8m)
- Rangefinder Coupled with Leica M Rangefinder Cameras: 1.0m
- Hood: 49mm diameter, reverse-mount screw-in type
- Lens Color Variations: Silver, Black, Gold
- Lens Length: 43mm
- Weight: 180g
This lens appears to be part of MS-OPTICS’ Miyazaki History series, similar to the MS-PROT 40mm and MS-DAGONAR 40mm, but this is not mentioned in the instruction manual.
2．Usability
The MS-OPTICS ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 lens exhibits a clear, sharp image due to its simple 4-element, 4-group construction, and a unique rendering with a slight blur at the edges of the subject. The center of the frame, in particular, boasts high sharpness and resolution.
This is also noted in the lens’s instruction manual by lens designer Mr. Miyazaki, who states that it is a portrait-oriented lens with excellent central rendering.
The lens barrel also has distinctive features; to achieve a compact design, the front element and barrel are almost nonexistent, a structure common to MS-OPTICS large-aperture lenses, similar to the SONNETAR 73mm F1.5 and GA-ISM 50mm F1. When viewed from the front, the front element appears to be directly attached to the barrel.
The impressions of using each camera are as follows:
The lens I own has a moderately smooth aperture ring, and unlike some MS-OPTICS lenses, it doesn’t have the looseness. However, because the focus and aperture rings are close together, accidental operation is possible, so some care is needed when shooting.
Digital Rangefinder Camera – LEICA M (35mm Full-Frame Sensor Camera)
The LEICA M-P typ240 is a rangefinder camera equipped with a 24-megapixel 35mm full-frame sensor. While it has a large-aperture lens with a wide aperture of F1.2, it uses the M-type Leica’s split-image focusing system to capture the intended subject.
The ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 offers satisfactory image quality in the center for a 24-megapixel sensor, in terms of sharpness and resolution. However, when the background contains patterned elements such as trees or wire mesh, false colors can appear around the edges of these elements at the widest aperture (F1.2).
Furthermore, due to its wide image circle, no vignetting is observed in images taken with a 35mm full-frame sensor the same size as 35mm film.
However, in the image below, the grass in the lower right and lower left corners, although on the same plane as the bronze statue in the focal plane, shows a noticeable distortion in its rendering. This is because, as explained in the overview, an Ernostar-type sensor with a 55mm focal length was used, and care must be taken when placing the main subject in the corners.
Furthermore, with rangefinder cameras, the focus point is the center of the viewfinder due to the double-image focusing mechanism. Therefore, when moving the camera to change the composition, the focus position is maintained if the plane of focus is kept parallel to the subject. However, if the camera moves in a forward or backward direction relative to the subject, including at an angle, the focus position will change.
Mirrorless Camera – HASSELBLAD X Series (Medium Format Digital Sensor Camera)
The HASSELBLAD X1D-50C in the HASSELBLAD X series is a mirrorless camera equipped with a 44mm x 33mm medium format digital sensor. The ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 lens is designed for 35mm film format, but there are no issues with peripheral illumination, and it generally covers the medium format digital sensor.
However, as mentioned with the LEICA M-P typ240, even with a 35mm film sensor, image quality degrades at the corners. With larger medium-format digital sensors, this degradation spreads further, making this lens difficult to use when uniform rendering across the entire frame is desired.
This is the same result as in the FUJIFILM GFX series demo, which uses a medium-format digital sensor of the same size.
LEICA T typ701 (APS-C size sensor camera)
The LEICA T typ701 has an APS-C size sensor measuring 23.6mm x 15.7mm. Because its area is smaller than 35mm film (36mm x 24mm), the focal length is equivalent to an 82.5mm lens when multiplied by a 35mm film equivalent factor of 1.5.
The LEICA T typ701 is a mirrorless camera, so you use either the rear LCD or the electronic viewfinder, allowing you to shoot while looking at the screen. This means you don’t need to be as conscious of the focal length as you would with a rangefinder camera.
The image quality is significantly improved because it cuts off 57% of the surrounding area compared to a 35mm full-frame sensor, resulting in much better overall image uniformity. I particularly like the contrast it produces in monochrome.
Example images 5 and 6 were taken with the LEICA T typ701 in monochrome mode with the aperture wide open. Even at the widest aperture, the image is sharp and clear, even at the edges, and the petals stand out beautifully—clearly demonstrating the lens’s strengths.
3．Summary
In summary, the MS-OPTICS ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 boasts top-class performance in central image quality at its widest aperture among MS-OPTICS’ standard lenses, making the designer’s statement that it’s a bright lens ideal for portraits understandable.
Furthermore, its sharp, high-contrast monochrome rendering will appeal to photographers who appreciate that style.
However, it suffers from some issues with peripheral image quality on 35mm film; using it with a smaller image sensor will result in a sharper, more defined image across the entire frame.
Specification and Competitor
Comparing the MS ELNOMAXIM 55mm F1.2 with the MS-OPTICS SONNETAR 50mm F1.3 clearly illustrates the difference in lens configuration between the Ernostar and Sonnar types.
While the two lenses have different specifications and therefore a direct comparison isn’t particularly meaningful, the ELNOMAXIM, with its longer focal length and slightly brighter aperture, is larger in both size and weight. However, both lenses are compact compared to similarly specced lenses from other manufacturers, making them both highly portable.
| Item | ELNOMAXIM | SONNETAR |
| Focal length(mm) | 55.6 | 50 |
| Max aperture | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 |
| Aperture blade | 10 | 10 |
| Lens Construction | 4 elements in 4 groups | 5 elements in 4 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Length(mm) | 43 | 36 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 50 | 50 |
| Filter size(mm) | 49 | 49 |
| Weight(g) | 180 | 110 |
| lens hood | Dedicated cylindrical 49mm reverse thread | Special trumpet type 49mm reverse thread |
| lens mount | LEICA_M | LEICA_M |
| Release date | 2020 | 2022 |
| Price | ¥90,000 | ¥100,000 |
Reference links
- Ernostar type lens on wikipedia
- MS-OPTICS SONNETAR 50mm F1.3・Shige’s hobby
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Update History
- 2026.3.22
- 2025.5.15
- 2024.04.24
- 2023.09.29:Update
- 2022.01.15:First release
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