ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV
1
Pancake Primes and Zooms; Lightest Fast Lenses; Lightest Full Frame CamerasFind this table in the downloads section at ChristianSchnalzger.de, © 2025
2
3
Contents of this table:
Full Frame Pancake Lenses for...
...Rangefinder Primes
...SLR Primes
...Evil (mirrorless) Primes
...Zooms of all systems
Full Frame Lightest Fast Lenses + Most Compact Setups
Smaller Formats Pancake Lenses (Primes and Zooms)
Full Frame and Larger Lightest Cameras

"List of Lightest Fixed-Lens Cameras" is a separate table,
see main Downloads page		Pancake Lenses turn a standard camera into a compact travel setup that fits a messenger bag or jacket pocket, whilst (ideally) retaining good image resolution and detail, high ISO performance and full manual control of your familiar camera - to extends that no smartphone can match.
The smaller the lens, the more compact and thus practical the resulting setup. The cutoff for this list is 3o mm from bayonet. This means actual protrusion from the camera body; not the physical lenght of the lens overall with its bayonet or a hood. 3o mm is arbitrary, yet already lenient.
Some early rangefinder lenses are collapsible, i.e. their barrel could be sunk into the camera for compact transportation. That makes the setup very compact for travel, but might be clumsy for actual photography: setting up takes a moment, and there is a potential of improperly de-collapsing the lens when in haste, yielding defocussed pictures. Both can be mitigated by collapsing the lens only for transport, not between pictures, and uncollapsing it in a calm place before going out, not just when immediately needed.
4
This table is an overview of all options across the decades, addressing the real-world photographer. Prototypes like a Leitz Elcan 5o/2 collapsible are therefore usually not considered, since their prices and availabilty make them collectors' items rather than photographers' tools
5
As a nerdy sidenote, the technically correct definition of a telephoto lens is one with a focal length longer than the physical barrel of the lens (i.e. a 9o mm focal length lens with a physical length of only 7o mm). By that definition, most pancake lenses, even wideangles, are telephotos!
6
7
Performance comments: My comments on performance originated in my own subjective research as a photographer, and were originally not intended for publication. Use them as a start for your own research: look at high-resolution image samples on flickr etc. and form your own impressions. I have only used a fraction of these lenses myself. Comments in quotation marks are by other users; all others are mine, often based on samples pictures. Note that comments should not directly be compared between lenses. You may read critique on a Leica lens, and praise of a Russian lens. That is not directly comparable. It starts from assumptions like all Leica lenses were impeccable, which they are not (Hello Peter Karbe!), or that all Sovyet lenses were rubbish, which they are not. Then there is the consideration of price: a price of many thousands of pounds/euros/dollars suggests perfection. With a similar-spec lens for a fiver second-hand, I may be more tolerant.
8
Value for money: the collector pays for rarity, the photographer for quality. In practical use, most of the following lenses are irrelevant; they are interesting only as testaments to bygone times (see all the Leica Elmar 5o/3.5 copies) or as status symbols (see all current Leica M lenses). Comments pertaining to value are subjective, in response to popular belief, and from the perspective of a photographer.
9
Current prices: Second hand prices outdate fast, so check your own sources. In the post-Brexit dystopia we live, all prices are in EUR = USD = GBP. A turquoise mark on the left or in the 'current price' column marks a lens up to 1oo quid second-hand in the last round of research. Not all lenses have been researched, though!
10
Pinholes: Lensless pinhole or zone-plate caps have a very unique rendition. They are thus not considered here, but are a very compact option if the resulting look and handling fits your project. The same is true for trash lenses like those producing light leaks etc.
11
Adapting: When adapting vintage lenses to modern cameras, mind possible rear elements protruding into the camera body! The Russar 2o/5.6 for example extends only 18 mm in front of the camera, but its rear element protrudes another 17 mm into the camera. Carefully check that your camera, shutter and imager can handle that, and if so, mount the lens very carefully each time so as not to scratch the imager's filter or bend shutter petals. And DO NOT modify historical lenses to fit a modern camera! The camera will be outdated in five years; the lens has been around for a multiple already and will outlive the camera.
12
13
How to measure a lens from a picture (two methods):
1) To estimate the length of a lens from a product photo showing the lens in an undistorted side view, its engraved numbers can help! Focus-scale numbers on lenses from about 197o are typically about 2 mm high, slightly less on earlier lenses. Note that the height of other numbers, such as aperture scales, varies more between manufacturers.
Measure your physical screen: how tall are these numbers in the picture on your screen? Then measure how tall the entire lens is in the same picture. Do a simple rule of three calculation to get the correct lens height: number's height in picture: 4 mm. number's height in reality (assumed): 2 mm. lens height in picture: 44 mm. therefore lens in reality... 4mm : 2mm = 2. 44mm : 2 = 22 -> lens in reality = about 22 mm
1a) If you already own a lens of the same series, measure the focus scale numbers' height on that actual lens for much more accuracy. Then, same calculation: number's height in picture: 4 mm. number's height in reality (measured): 2 mm. height of lens in picture: 44 mm. therefore height of that lens in reality... 4mm : 2mm = 2. 44mm : 2 = 22 -> lens in reality = 22 mm

2) Another approach is researching the physical outer diameter of the mount: if you know it to be, say, 39mm wide, because it's M39, you can take a ruler to the bayonet on your screen. Divide the measured bayonet width by the known real bayonet width to get the factor of enlargement of the photo. Measure the height of the lens in the photo. Apply the enlargement factor. This gives you the actual height.
2a) If you already own a lens of the same mount: open the photo of the new lens in a software that allows stepless zoom. Enlarge it to the exact same size of the mount of your own lens in front of the screen. Then simply measure the lens on the screen to obtain its height.
14
15
1)Pancake Lenses Covering Full Frame
16
17
if this information saved you money on gear, if you found it helpful, or if you'd like to do something good today, rescue a kitten, end a war, or make a little donation. thanks cordially! if you use paypal, you can address any donation to christianschnalzger@web.de, and no donation is too big! :)
have you had a chance to look at my coaching/tutoring programme yet? christianschnalzger.de/index-Dateien/coaching.htm - maybe I can be of assistance in any technical, creative, commercialisation or gear questions? I'd love to help.
18
19
a) Fixed Focal Length Full Frame Rangefinder Lenses
20
Thread mounts such as M39 (aka L39, LTM Leica thread mount, LSM Leica screw mount) or M42 are not strictly standardised and have been used with various specifications across the decades and manufacturers: The Braun Paxette SLR for instance uses M39, but has a flange distance (between the thread and the film) of 44 mm; Leica rangefinder cameras use the same M39 thread, but with a flange distance of 28 mm! As a result, Paxette lenses can be used on Leica cameras only with a) an adapter (extension tube) to compensate the different flange distances, and b) only with live view or distance scale focus, since they are not rangefinder coupled. Without an extension tube, the lens would focus way beyond infinity, i.e. not at all. Leica M39 lenses can be used on Paxette SLRs, but will focus only in the extreme macro range. Enlarger lenses also use the M39 thread and have even longer flange distances - most of which are nonstandard altogether, i.e. different for every single lens model (the upside being that, with spacer rings, enlarger lenses even fit SLRs, where they usually perform sublimely in terms of sharpness). If adapting old lenses, make sure they are what you expect them to be. Even if they are sold as "for Leica", make sure they fit and are rangefinder coupled if you require this!
Adapting M39 rangefinder lenses to Leica M mount will add 1mm of thicknes for the required adapter; infinity focus is preserved.
Lenses quoted in more than one mount below mean that the optically same lens was offered in different mounts (and sometimes different barrel versions). Each individual sample only had one of the quoted mounts, without any ability to change mounts (apart from using external adapters). Only the Experimental Optics 35 mm f/2.7 combines an M39 and M mount, and the Som Berthiot Angulor is reported to combine M39 and Contax/Nikon.
21
Some APS lenses cover the full frame format inofficially. For those, see in the APS section below.
22
One-off conversions by craftspeople, such as high-end compact camera lenses to Leica rangefinder mounts, are not sufficiently documented and thus not usually listed here. The prices for such conversions tend to make them collectors' items. Also, not every conversion makes sense: why pay lots of money to convert a slow 35/3.5, when you can have something faster off the shelf that is no larger, and much cheaper? Or why convert a Nikonos 35/2.5 lens, as undertaken by some British company recently, which is optimised for chromatic aberrations UNDER WATER?!
23
Sorted by focal length, then speed, then alphabetically by manufacturer. Carl Zeiss resides under Zeiss; Oude and Old Delft under De Oude Delft. Old names reside under their current/last names: Chiyoko under Minlta; Nippon Kogaku under Nikon; MS Optical and MS-Mode under MS-Optics. Whilst the Germany before and after 1945 are formally different countries, I took the liberty to combine them since they were inhabited by the very same people and companies. I did however separate the former GDR since it was heavily USSR-controlled. Note that Contax G is, idiotically, not compatible to Contax/Nikon mount.
Note that any absence of entries or details may mean absence of information, NOT of qualification! Not every lens without a turquoise tag is expensive - there may just not be reliable price information. No mention of SAs for a lens may mean that they are not remarkable - or that no information was available. A complete lack of a lens in this database may means that it's not a pancake - or that I could not find dimensions.
24
25
Focal Length mmAperture f/ManufacturerLens NameWeight (g)Length (mm)System (Rangefinder, SLR, Evil)Native mount/sCoupled rangefinder?YearTelephoto design?CountryDiffraction Limit in MPix on FF ca.Averg. price 2o25 eur/gbp/usdTechnical detailsEvaluation
26
88
Weapons Research Establishment (WRE)
210° Fisheye~10RFCustomuncoupled1956noAUS50
3/3 circular fisheye lens with ca 25mm image diameter, developed for WRETAR camera in 1956, where it would cover 186°, and also used in WREROC Mk II Camera in 1957. the lens then had a front-mounted 2mm wide 'aperture' slit, yielding an effective f/8. *speed without slit unknown. designed by R. Dixon for the now-defunct Weapons Research Establishment of Salisbury, South Australia (1955-78), and a close replica of the original Beck Hill Sky Lens, the historic world first fisheye lens by R. Hill from 1923, then designed to capture the entire sky in one image for weather observation. the WRE is a 3/3 design like the original; a specimen is depicted at oldlens.com/beck%20hill%20sky%20lens.html, along with sample images. the engraving is "W.R.E. I MK. 2 B.F.D. 0.651 Ser. No. 799", where "BFD o.651" is "back focus distance o.651 inches", i.e. 16.5mm (there were two versions of the lens, with different back focus distances, see camera-wiki.org/wiki/WRETAR). "o.651" is NOT the focal length in inches (16.5mm would equate to about twice the focal length of other circular full frame fisheyes. novacon.com.br/odditycameras/hillscloud.htm knows of two original Beck Hill lens variants with larger image diameter; in both cases, the focal length is about 1/3 of the image diameter - that would put our specimen *around 8mm and thus exactly in line with other circular full frame fisheyes)
image detail resolution still very high even without slit, yet absolutely destroyed across the entire field by the worst CA imaginable, regardless of subject or lighting. even black and white pictures are an atrocity. extreme flare proneness makes things worse. over this and the lens' rarity today, it is most likely just a collector's item, but a very interesting one. pictures of the WREROC camera can be seen here flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/albums/72157628314214303/with/6484303641 (note how both known specimen's SN end in x99
27
155LaowaCookie10528RFM2024noC
13/9, aperture dial turns the wrong way! also available in evil mounts, but much larger and heavier
centre sharpness quite nice, but massive distortion; field and edges show very low sharpness at any aperture
28
158Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Zeiss Hologon11012-15RFMuncoupled1972telephotoD509000
3-lens triplet. originally the lens of the Zeiss Hologon fixed-lens camera, 11o° AOV, focus lever, part of a set including a finder with bubble level and center graduated neutral density filter; 225-1ooo copies made (not that more were needed), reportedly to sell off old stock as Zeiss neared bankruptcy. Collector's item, around 9k€
"The recording of the finer details in the field is on the soft side and its potential for high quality images is limited". Absolutely unusable colour cast, irrelevant even in black and white due to terrible square vignette; obsolete since the much cheaper, faster and better Voigtländer 15 mm came along
29
158Light Lens LabHologonRFM2023noC50
Chinese limited-edition copy of Zeiss Hologon, 225 copies
largely identical optical limitations than the original and thus just as obsolete today; see tahusa.co/lens-review/light-lens-lab-hologon-15mm-f8-prototype/
30
158ZeissHologonRFM1966noD50
3-lens triplet by Glatzel. originally the lens of the Zeiss Ikon Contarex Hologon fixed-lens camera from 1969, 11o° AOV, and later independently converted to Leica M - not to be confused with the original M bayonet lens made by Zeiss for Leica, see above, albeit optically identical. "Approximately 1,400 Contarex Hologon cameras were made; production continued through 1975 in small batches. In 1971, the list price for the Hologon was US$825 (equivalent to $6,207 in 2023), the wholesale cost was US$550 (equivalent to $4,138 in 2023)"
"The recording of the finer details in the field is on the soft side and its potential for high quality images is limited". Absolutely unusable colour cast, irrelevant even in black and white due to terrible square vignette; obsolete since the much cheaper, faster and better Voigtländer 15 mm came along
31
1522Lux Technologies FrancePanomigon7RFM39uncoupled1999telephotoF6287
fixed focus from o.3 or o.5 m to infinity, 49 mm filter, almost total absence of linear distortion. See lux.technologies.free.fr/tarifs.htm, 287 € without viewfinder.
32
168ZeissHologon12511RFContax G1994telephotoD501000
5/3 successor to the 15 mm above. Fixed aperture. Third-party modifications for this Hologon to Leica M exist, and DIY M modification kits. ~25 mm protrusion behind the bayonet, focus with o.3 m close-up, fixed aperture, 2 stops vignette, to be compensated with supplied centre filter
this 16 mm is way less bad! It still vignettes like hell, though, except on select cameras like a Leica M11. It is also inferior to even the first, not all that good, version of the Voigtländer 15 mm: "Voigtländer is a bit sharper in the corners and also shows less (but still very high) vignetting". Pretty much obsolete since the Voigtländer 15 mm came along, although that is 31 mm long. review & samples: phillipreeve.net/blog/review-contax-g-16mm-8-0-hologon/
33
174.5MS-OpticsPerar6010.2RFMcoupled2017telephotoJ500
1oo degree coverage, 4/4, all lenses multi-coated, focus coupling from o.85 m to infinity, o.3 m close-up, 8okYen
Strong vignette. Strong colour cast on older sensors
34
1711KonicaMini Wai Wai Wide~5RFMuncoupled2003telephotoJ24
fixed aperture plastic lens out of the eponymous disposable point-and-shoot camera; independently adapted onto an M body cap
See chan-nds-hk.translate.goog/blog/?p=11239&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_sch=http
35
1716GizmonWtulens4615RFM39uncoupled2020stelephotoJ1840
double aspherical lens, i.e. using a pair of Fujifilm QuickSnap plastic lenses back-to-back, fixed f/16 aperture, fixed focus from o.5 m to infinity, closer focus by partly unscrewing the lens from the M39 adapter or camera used. Also available in C mount.
Aside from the obvious diffraction at f/16, which in itself makes one wonder why a manufacturer would choose this specification to begin with, the image quality is significantly below any smartphone. Insane vignette and colour cast on APS and FF, even on modern sensors; everything outside the image centre is smeared, even on M4/3. That might be quite artsy, though, and it is a very cute item. Centre sharpness very high!
36
1716KonicaHexagon (sic)10RFM39uncoupled2000stelephotoJ18200
fixed focus 1 m to infinity, fixed aperture. Taken off an f/11 Konica WaiWai disposable camera, converted to f/16, and sold in Japan for around 2oo €. "Nicknamed the 'Bologon' as it shares characteristics of the Biogon and Hologon lenses by Zeiss.
"Not as crisp in the corners as the Zeiss lenses, but definitely usable" "vignettes like crazy on an Epson RD-1 [APS!]" Samples on Leica M8 actually look acceptable, but show severest diffraction softness, making it a pure toy lens - and a hideously expensive one at that
37
188Funleader408RFMuncoupled2020telephotoC50140
field of view 1oo°. all versions multi-coated, brass body wit chrome plating, M bayonet version of below evil lens, but now has a focus lever and o.45 m close-up. 6/4, fixed aperture, no rangefinder coupling, silver or black, 14o quid new; myfunleader.com/collections/shop-all/products/funleader-caplens-18mm-f-8-for-m-mount)
significant vignette and flare as well as slight colour cast towards the edges, but produces reasonable image quality
38
192.8MS-OpticsHipolion 8-16/19273RFM2020telephotoJ50850
2/2, as thin as a body cap, 3o cm close-up, "very soft" at f/2.8 (manufacturer statement!) until f/8 and "designed to be shot mainly at f/8-16"; design based on the Goerz Hypergon large format lens series released in 19oo, which was known to be insanely wide (7-12 mm full frame equivalent depending on format), but not all that sharp even then
Given the moderate wide-angle of this 19 mm, and given the progress of other ultrawide offerings, the price of 85o quid is hard to justify. Even within the MS range, the 17 mm is the more versatile choice
39
205.6KMZРУССАР МР-2 = Russar MR-29518RFM39uncoupled1957noUSSR599
6/4, total length including rear protrusion 46 mm; resolution 35/20 lines/mm center/edge; reportedly free of distortion. Came with ВИ-20 viewfinder. Several barrel versions, see sovietcams.com/index.php?3994356630. Lomography made a replica 2o18 for 599 USD
about the same idea as the above Canon 19mm...
40
213.5RicohGR20023RFM391999noJ
Same lens as the Ricoh GR-21 point-and-shoot camera; limited edition: 1ooo in chrome and 7oo in black
41
213.5VoigtländerColor Skopar asph18030RFM2018noJ9/8
42
213.5VoigtländerColor Skopar asph II22030RFM2022noJSame as version I, but 40 g heavier!
43
214Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Super-Angulon25127RFMcoupled1958noD
44
214Nikon (Nippon Kogaku)W-Nikkor C128~26RF
Contax/Nikon
1959noJ
engraved "Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor C 1:4 f = 2.1 cm", 53.5 mm length overall, i.e. severe rear protrusion. 1959-6o only, in reportedly only 3oo copies, making it the rarest Nikon rangefinder lens. The same optics continued to be used in the Nikon F mount version for SLRs, see below
45
214VoigtländerColor Skopar MC and SC10929RFM392007noJ
8/6; MC = multi coated, SC = single coated, the latter always denoted as such on the lens front
The most boring lens I ever owned
46
214VoigtländerColor Skopar MC and SC14026RF
Contax/Nikon
2001noJsame as above, in different mount
47
214VoigtländerColor Skopar P II13625RFM2001noJ
same as above, in different mount again. All versions are optically identical (apart from the SC/MC choice, see above). This is the most compact version; the earlier M39 version is lighter, though
48
214.5MS-OpticsPerar MC Super Wide Triplet425.2RFMcoupledtelephotoJ700For comments on optical performance, see other MS lenses: this one is no different: Boring rendition (lack of sharpness and plasticity; strong vignette and colour cast towards the edges. Which is really sad, because it is a beautifully crafted item
49
214.5ZeissBiogon26515RF
Contax/Nikon
1954telephotoD
8/5, widest full frame lens then, sold with hotshoe finder (67g)
50
242MS-OpticsApora/Aporia455.8RFMcoupled2020telephotoJ550o.5 m close-up3.9 EV vignette in the corners at full aperture - more than a Noctilux! Acceptable centre sharpness from f/2.8 on, across the field the least-worst aperture is f/11 but performance never really convinces; high coma down to f/8, slight colour cast even on modern sensors, and moderate but noticeable distortion. Lovely bokeh but very limited plasticity: images look very two-dimensional without much depth. Noticeable SA wide-open
51
244MS-OpticsPerar MC405.2RFMcoupled2014telephotoJ
5o g with hood, 19 mm filter, o.8 m close-up on Leica M, on mirrorless cameras o.5-o.6 m; silver, gold, or black
Very strong vignette on full frame that can hardly be removed completely (see thephoblographer.com/2014/08/19/reviewthe-ms-optical-perar-24mm-f4-super-wide/#.VrSXZHm-Mn4). "The outer ring is for focusing. The next ring is aperture control which is moved carefully by your finger. It’s not hard to use at all"
52
246.3AstrHori Rockstar12022RFMcoupled2022telephotoC70280fixed aperture, double aspherical 5/5, 35.5 mm filter, silver or black
53
2411ChromaDouble Glass165RFM39uncoupled2022telephotoGB24120fixed focus with 1.5 m close-up!Insane vignette, colour cast, and edge smear, even on modern cameras. imho just not worth it
54
253.5Canon14515RFM39coupled1956telephotoJ
based on the Zeiss Topogon according to Canon, which in turn is based on Goerz Hypergon; sold with finder
Worlds better than the 19mm MS reinterpretation of the Hypergon. Yet today surpassed: "accurate with all my Leica Ms. The CV25 is a great alternative, undoubtedly better optically. The 25 Canons and Nikkors M39 are amazingly small lenses. But both are rare collector's items and both are blown away on performance by the new 24/2.8 ASPH. The new 25/4 Voigtlander Skopar is a very viable alternative"
55
254Nikon (Nippon Kogaku)W-Nikkor C70~10RF
Contax/Nikon
coupled1953telephotoJ
4/4, engraved "Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor C 1:4 f = 2.5 cm"; 5oo copies made in black, 1ooo in chrome (125 g!), and a few hundred in M39, all of which in chrome, overall 28oo copies
"not a great performer by today's standards, it still produces good images"
56
254Nikon (Nippon Kogaku)W-Nikkor C7510RFM39coupled1953telephotoJsame as above, in different mountsee 35mmc.com/11/10/2021/nikon-nippon-kogaku-w-nikkor-c-2-5cm-f-4-ltm-nikons-tiny-gems-pt-3-by-agata-urbaniak/
57
254VoigtländerColor Skopar14430RFMcoupled2007noJ
7/5, o.5 m close up, 39 mm filter, update of the following lens with probably identical optics
58
254VoigtländerSnapshot Skopar9528RFM39uncoupled2001noJ7/5, o.7 m close-up, 39 mm filter
59
254VoigtländerSC Skopar14028RF
Contax/Nikon
uncoupled2001noJ7/5, same optics
60
254Zeiss JenaTopogon20+RF
M39, Contax/Nikon
uncoupled1951telephotoGDR3000
4/4 Hypergon derivative, very rare: 2-3oo copies? There was an even rarer Topogon 2.5cm f:4.5 in 1936 with only 5o copies made
Strong vignette. Pure collector's item
61
2511FujicolorQuicksnap Panorama405RFMuncoupled1990stelephotoJ24
fixed aperture plastic lens off a 1992 full frame disposable point-and-shoot camera; can be adapted onto a Leica M bayonet cap, or bought pre-adapted
See chan-nds-hk.translate.goog/blog/?p=11239&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_sch=http - of the three f/11 lenses 17, 25 and 32 mm, this one is rated optically the best, especially the edges
62
266OmnarCN26-610011RFM2021telephotoGB70940
fixed aperture, o.3 m close-up, physically crude look.
Terrible colour casts even on modern Leica M digital cameras. Ridiculously overpriced IMHO. Such a slow aperture will leave no creative freedom
63
281.7MS-OpticsApoqualia6010RFMcoupled2023telephotoJ10006/4, 28.8 mm f/1.73according to direct comparisons from youtube.com/watch?v=2yNCiEm4FfE, this version is significantly inferior to the earlier f2 version. terrible SA wide-open with extremely soft edges extending far into the image; compared to the old f/2 version, wide-open sharpness is lower, but performance at f/4 is quite a bit better
64
282MS-OpticsApoqualia-G and II7010RFMcoupled2017telephotoJ600
6/4 Gauss type, 28 mm filter, 28.8 mm f/2.o8; version I: close-up o.6 m, coupled from o.9 m on; II: same coupling, but o.35 m minimum focus - no optical differences
according to direct comparisons from youtube.com/watch?v=2yNCiEm4FfE, this f2 is better at f2 than the f1.7 version open or at f2, and shows much more characterful bokeh. Centre sharpness decent even wide-open, but significantly falling off towards the edges, and no plasticity. Glow/spherical aberrations. Extreme edges smeared like through vaseline, even on Leica M cameras, and not remedied by stopping down. A Leica 35/2 IV, not known for corner-to-corner sharpness, is sharper wide-open than this MS is at ANY aperture! Great lens for APS and casual photography thus, but still low separation compared to a Leica or CV 28/2. This is aggravated by horrible field curvature. Bokeh nice to horrible depending on subject
65
282.8Brightin StarFunleader11310RFMcoupled2023telephotoC330centre sharpness only acceptable; extreme edges are an atrocity: smeared at ALL apertures, which is just plain inacceptable for 1) the price, 2) the presentation and 3) 2o23. no 3D at all; at best moderate separation; nice transition into out-of-focus; bokeh very smooth. slight cyan colour cast in corners - again, inacceptable in 2o23. front paintwork full of irrelevant text.
66
282.8Canon16020RFM39coupled1956telephotoJ4006/4an astonishingly good lens, and one of Gary Winogrand's favourite. indeed rather high detail sharpness; only full zoom will reveal it to be below a modern lens. still, visibly higher details in the image centre than for example with the highly disappointing brightinstar. and infinitely higher corner detail than with the latter, because the Canon's corners ARE actually sharp. in fact, their sharpness is decidedly closer to a modern slr lens than to any cheap chinese crap. bokeh is astonishingly characterful for the focal length, and separation equally astonishingly high. on the flip side, you may encounter SA, esp. up closer, and quite a bit of field curvature to infinity
67
282.8Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Elmarit-M ASPH17330RFMcoupled2006noD
actual focal length 28.5 mm. The previous, non-aspheric versions are significantly larger
68
282.8RicohGR18021RFM39coupled1997telephotoJ
7/4, same lens as the Ricoh GR-1 point-and-shoot camera. limited edition: 2ooo in chrome and 1ooo in black
69
282.8VoigtländerColor-Skopar14324RFM39coupled2023telephotoJSuccessor of f/3.5 version
70
282.8VoigtländerColor-Skopar11024RFMcoupled2023telephotoJ
same as above, in different mount. you can also have a stupid pseudo retro look body with 143 g
71
283.3Som BerthiotAngulor143-174~16RF
M39, Contax/Nikon, ...
uncoupled1949telephotoF3000
6/4 double gauss; "available in various mounts: M39 (174g), Nikon/Contax CX (143g), Alpa short mounts, and, rarely, a hybrid of Leica screw mounts and RF Contax CX mounts. The barrel is completely different", see syarakuse.sakura.ne.jp/SOMBERTHIOT/angulor28.html
72
283.5Avenon = Adorama = Bower = Kobalux = Pasoptik11318RFM39coupled2001telephotoJ
"chrome and black. The small Japanese company Y.K. Optical from Yokohama made two wide angle lenses in Leica mount. They were sold under the names Kobalux, Avenon, Pasoptik, Bower or Adorama. With hood and convenient focusing lever, filter size 43.5. Apparently production ended in early 2oo2; not up to Leica quality, yet it gives reasonably good performance for a budget price". The other lens was a 21mm, which is larger than a pancake, but f/2.8
73
283.5Canon
Serenar (up to 1953, later just Canon) Mk I
14519RF
M39, Contax/Nikon
coupled1951telephotoJ
6/4, 1 m close-up, 6 aperture petals, originally 27kYen. The only lens of which Canon also made a Contax bayonet version (in 1954).
74
283.5CanonMk II12025RFM39coupled1957telephotoJthen 25 3oo Yen
75
283.5MinoltaG-Rokkor20RFM39coupled1999telephotoJ
5/5 with 2 or 3 aspherics; note that their earlier 28/3.5 for the Leica CLE is much longer; 2ooo copies made
76
283.5MS-OpticsNikon Lite Touch 600 AF~19RFMcoupledtelephotoJ
Conversion of Nikon 600AF point-and-shoot camera lens
77
283.5Nikon (Nippon Kogaku)W-Nikkor C f = 2.8 cm11021RF
M39, Contax/Nikon
coupled1952telephotoJ2506/4 design"poor. just nowhere near as sharp as either the Zeiss-for-Contax or a Leica asph" - yes, but not THAT bad, see 35mmc.com/04/10/2021/nikon-nippon-kogaku-w-nikkor-c-2-8cm-f-3-5-ltm-nikons-tiny-gems-pt-2-by-agata-urbaniak/
78
283.5OmnarUW-Nikkor CalypsoRFM2023noGB
this is a rangefinder coupled rehousing of a lens designed for UNDERWATER use! Butchering rare old Nikonos underwarter cameras should be avoided at all cost!! Paying 12oo GBP for the conversion on top appears rather tasteless to me. More factually, air and water require VERY different optical corrections, so just like no "land" lens will ever excel underwater, no underwater lens will perform great on land or in air. Imho, this is a stupid idea to burn money. The image is heavily smeared and blurred. If you want a compact 28/3.5, there are many, many cheaper options - specifically for land use!
79
283.5Sankyo KohkiW-Komura17027RFM391965noJ
7 elements; MSRP 1965 81 USD, dealer purchase price 48.6o USD. rare today. Aka Sankyo Koki
the company has a very mixed reputation, with lovers and haters and few in-between
80
283.5StaebleUnderwater ultra wide angleRFM39coupled1950Doptically corrected for underwater use!
81
283.5VoigtländerColor-Skopar16326RFM392002telephotoJ500
39 mm filter, o.7 m close-up. Originally could be had around 3oo €, 2o2o collector's item and not worth it
82
283.5VoigtländerSC Skopar13828RF
Contax/Nikon
2003telephotoJ500same optics as above
83
284MS-OpticsPerar Super Triplet455.5RFMcoupled2012telephotoJ500o.8 m close-up, Tessar type, 55kYen newFor its size, both sharpness and bokeh (to the extent there is any) are remarkable. If size does not matter to you to this extreme extent, a Leica 28/2.8 asph will deliver more image quality. The handling of these small MS lenses has been described as quirky by some and indeed is less fast and ergonomic than a Leica, but very doable unless you're outrageously clumsy, and is arguably an experience in its own right.
84
284.5FEDFED-35150RFM391938noUSSR400
6/4, uncoated, 6 aperture petals, 1 m close-up; very compact and rather rare russian rangefinder lens; at the time faster and more complex than anything from Germany.
The low distortion and remarkable optical design have been noted, but also the need to calibrate it to the specific camera it is intended to be used with, due to lax manufacturing tolerances. And there is extreme vignette and strong glow/SA: pierretizien-photos.blogspot.com/2016/02/fed-35-28mm45.html
85
284.5Som BerthiotAngulorRF
Contax/Nikon
F1800
86
285.6Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Summaron f=2.8cm15016RFM39, M1956telephotoD1006/4At full aperture we have high overall contrast and a crisp rendition of very fine detail over a large part of the picture area. In the outer zones performance drops rapidly. From 5.6 to 8 this lens delivers excellent image quality. Vignetting is 2.5 stops and distortion non existent. Flare is also well suppressed, but the lens is not immune to its effects. -Puts
87
285.6Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Summaron-M16518RFM39, M1955telephotoD1001200
Collector's item, of course. For fans of rip-offs, Leica makes an optically identical replica in M mount, still regularly sold today for 24oo €
88
285.6TTartisan15119RFM39, M2021telephotoC100
7/4, outer appearance of a copy of old Leica Summarons, but optically different; 1 m close-up
I fail to see why a manufacturer would impose such dismal speeds on us in this age
89
286KMZOrion-156130RFM391959noUSSR70
symmetrical optical design (from 1944), meaning totally free from distortion; 1 m close-up
90
286.3Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)Hektor10013RFM391935telephotoD701 m close-up
91
288ZeissTessar15RF
Contax/Nikon
uncoupled1932telephotoD705404/3 released along with the very first Contax camera
92
2864Lens PunkLPK-M5010RFMuncoupled2023telephotoGB70
values estimated; 1/1, focus free, fixed aperture snapshot lens, hand assembled in a plastic body cap: made by Dominic Silverthorn until at least 2022)
strong corner smear, but lovely centre sharpness. I'd rate image quality and pleasantness above the below 32mm f/1o cap lenses
93
306.8MeoptaLargorRFM391990snoCZ70with matching viewfinder, o.6 m close-up
94
3010Kodak52RFM39, M, eviluncoupled2020stelephotoUS2420
Chinese modification using a disposable point-and-shoot camera's lens and gluing it into a body cap for cameras with M39, Leica M, Sony E, Fuji X, or m43 mount. In 2o24, an update appeared, mimicking the body shape of an oreo cookie, but with identical optics. Sells for 2o USD 2o24. No aperture; fixed focus 2 m to infinity
Cute, but sharpness terrible outside the centre. See chan-nds-hk.translate.goog/blog/?p=11239&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_sch=http
95
322.8LomoLC-A Minitar-1 Art~10RFMcoupled2015telephotoRUS350
o.8 m close-up, 4-step zone focus, silver or black
Terrible: edges and corners smeared as if doused in vaseline, visible even on small reproductions. Unusable on full frame except as a toy lens, for which it is way too expensive: get any cheap russian 35 and a tin of vaseline. "very poor edge performance at open aperture, improving on stopping down but never really approaching even fair levels. Only at f/22 does the Minitar approach a good level of edge sharpness." - f/22 is way, way beyond the onset of diffraction! Note that historical Minitar lenses off of point-and-shoot cameras exist, are optically identical, and can be adapted - see radojuva.com/en/2020/09/minitar-1-2-8-32-mm-lomo/
96
3210FujicolorPhoto Run52RFM39, M, eviluncoupledtelephotoJ2420
Chinese modification using a disposable point-and-shoot camera's lens and gluing it into a body cap for cameras with M39, Leica M, Sony E, Fuji X, or m43 mount. In 2o24, an update appeared, mimicking the body shape of an oreo cookie, but with identical optics. Sells for 2o USD 2o24. No aperture; fixed focus 2 m to infinity
Cute, but sharpness terrible outside the centre. See chan-nds-hk.translate.goog/blog/?p=11239&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_sch=http
97
3216GizmonUtulens465RFM39uncoupled2017telephotoJ1842
aspherical plastic meniscus lens off a Fujifilm QuickSnap point-and-shoot camera, fixed f/16 aperture, fixed focus from 1 m to infinity; closer focus by partly unscrewing the lens from the M39 adapter or camera used
Aside from the obvious diffraction at f/16, which in itself makes one wonder why a manufacturer would choose this specification to begin with, the image quality is significantly below any smartphone. Very strongly smeared corners even within the APS image circle. Very cute item, though, and you can print your own front decoration or download a print template to create your own
98
333.5Leica (Leitz Wetzlar)StemarRFM1953noD4000stereo lens with two 33/3.5 lenses; 1953 1oo copies made in Wetzlar, 1954 1515 copies made in Canada
99
351.3MS-OpticsApoqualia II7221RFMcoupled2021collapsibleJ1400
rigid and collapisble versions, the latter collapses to 1o mm. 6/4, actually 35.8/1.38
MTFs suggest rather modest performance, similar but inferior to the original 1.4 version. MTFs say the 36/1.3, see below, is sharper; whlst according to direct comparisons from youtube.com/watch?v=2yNCiEm4FfE, this 35/1.3 is sharper, yet behind the 1.4. Separation astonishingly low for its speed; Bokeh rather trivial without much character
100
351.4MS-OpticsApoqualia/Apoquaria/Reiroal8523RFMcoupled2015telephotoJ1000
6/4, non-collapsible, actually 35.9/1.47; 83o USD new; has become very rare
The first and the best of the three fast MS 35ish's, according to direct comparisons from youtube.com/watch?v=2yNCiEm4FfE. Yet, sharpness average at best, like all MS lenses, and as testified to by MS' own MTF curves. Strong field curvature makes for remarkably low separation for its speed. Bokeh characterful (portraits) to ugly (highlights), yet it IS the smallest 35/1.4 - this might be helpful for film photographers looking for a compact setup with the emergency option for more speed. Decent perfomance stopped down, although you need to stop down further than you'd need to with a Summicron. See japancamerahunter.com/2015/12/camera-geekery-the-new-ms-optics-apoqualia-35mm-1-4-f-mc/. sharper than the later f/1.3 35s and 36s, and apparently now a collector's item with only two documented sales in 3 years, at 7oo and at 2kUSD (both gold body), and no further ones offered for sale