Monday, December 29, 2025

Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6, First Look

Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Digital Moments: First impression images with a Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6, a budget-friendly, manual focus APS-C lens mounted on a Lumix DMC-G5.
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My curiosity got the better of me recently, and I ended up getting my hands on a new MFT mount Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6, a budget-friendly manual focus APS-C lens known for its wide f/1.6 aperture and vibrant, saturated colors straight out of the camera.

The lens, a fifth-generation manual focus lens originally derived from a CCTV lens, resonates well with enthusiasts looking for an option with a wide aperture and an extremely low price point.

The 70mm equivalent (on a 2x crop sensor digital) is excellent for everyday photography, portraits, street photography, travel, events, and experimental photography.

With its short telephoto configuration, the Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6, mounted on a 2x crop sensor MFT digital, is equally adept as a portrait lens with natural and flattering compression for separation between subjects and background (I don't do portraits, though).

Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6

The lens, with its lively blue livery (also available in red, gold, and silver body finishes), is a 4 elements in 4 groups all-metal and glass built, with maybe an ED element in some versions, 8 straight blades (while others may have 12 rounded petals), a clickless aperture ring with an aperture range from f/1.6 to f/16, a minimum focusing distance of 0.45 meters, takes 46mm filter, and, depending on the generation, weighs from 113 to 140 grams.

Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6

The Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6 was shipped with both a plastic rear and an ala-classic screw-in metal front cap, in an impeccably packed mint-colored box, snugly wrapped in a plastic sleeve in a box with exact-fit sponge liners, and accompanied by a vinyl pouch, a lens cleaning lint, and an instruction leaflet (in a different language, though). What seems like a perfect setup is slightly marred, however, by the lens mount not being a tight fit; it plays slightly when mounted on the camera.

Just as well, for still photographers, a clickless aperture ring on an experimental night shoot like this may actually be more of an inconvenience rather than an asset.

Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6

The lens might not be the best in its class; in fact, it is far from it. However, when it comes to delivering vibrant images with saturated colors, the lens wins hands down. And along with its wide f/1.6 maximum aperture, sharp center focus, a nostalgia of a classic, and a slightly quirky manual shooting experience.

Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6
Lumix DMC-G5, Risespray HD MC 35mm f/1.6

The images here were shot with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5, a mirrorless digital camera released in 2012. The camera has a 16MP Live MOS MFT (Micro Four Thirds) sensor, a 3-inch articulating touchscreen, a 1,440k-dot electronic viewfinder, ISO sensitivity from 160 to 12,800, 6 fps continuous shooting, and 1080p 60p video. The G5 is noted as having a very fast AF and improved low-light performance, a noted option for entry-level DSLRs.



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