{"id":58897,"date":"2024-08-11T07:00:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-11T06:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=58897"},"modified":"2026-01-14T08:26:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T07:26:42","slug":"review-meyer-optik-gorlitz-trioplan-50mm-f-2-9-v-soap-bubble-bokeh-treasure-or-garbage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-meyer-optik-gorlitz-trioplan-50mm-f-2-9-v-soap-bubble-bokeh-treasure-or-garbage\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 V – Soap Bubble Bokeh Treasure or Garbage?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Introduction<\/span>\"Meyer-Optik<\/p>\n

The Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 is a legendary vintage lens from the 1930s, known for creating dreamy background blur with soap bubble bokeh. I’ve been very curious about this lens and now I have one to test and share my experience with you. <\/span><\/p>\n

This MOG Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 is a lens with a, once upon a time, much-used formula, the Cooke triplet. It consists of two biconvex lenses on the outer edges and a biconcave lens in the middle.<\/span><\/p>\n

This seemingly simple design offers some surprising characteristics that have attracted both manufacturers and photographers for decades. Let’s delve deeper and explore what makes this lens so special!<\/p>\n

\"\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z 7II (Sample images with full-frame Nikon Zf and APS-C Nikon Zfc)
\n\"\"You can see this review as a YouTube<\/span><\/a> video here<\/span><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z fc | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nikon
Nikon Z f | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 | f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n50mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n47\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/2.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.6 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n35.5 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nExakta, M42, Leica, Contax, Altix<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n80 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n48.5 x 35 mm (30 mm from mount bayonet)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n3 \/ 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy the lens from:<\/strong> \u00a0ebay.com<\/a>,\u00a0ebay.de<\/a>,\u00a0ebay.co.uk<\/a>,\u00a0ebay.com.au<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate links)
\nBuy the AF adapter: <\/strong>Amazon<\/a>, B&H<\/a> from $369 (Affiliate links)
\nBuy the manual adapter:<\/strong> Amazon<\/a>, B&H<\/a> for $37 (Affiliate links)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Variations<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a revival of this classic lens in black (instead of silver) named Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz 50mm f\/2.8 II. The same lens formula manufactured in 2020 with the largest aperture of 2.8 instead of 2.9.<\/p>\n

Handling<\/span><\/h2>\n

This Trioplan is a very compact and lightweight, fully mechanical lens. It’s built rigidly, reflecting the high standards of old-school German mechanical craftsmanship. The entire lens is constructed of metal and glass. The silver aluminium lens body feels solid and well-made.<\/p>\n

\"Meyer-Optik
Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everything written on the lens barrel or the front is engraved and filled with paint; Name, serial number, aperture values, distance in meters and feet, and depth of field markings. The front of the lens features a red “V<\/span>” engraving, signifying the German word “Verg\u00fctet” which simply translates to “Coated.” Additionally, a small triangle with a “1” inside indicates a premium (first-grade) lens build, typically found on models intended for export.<\/p>\n

\"Meyer-Optik
Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 on a Nikon Zf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Variable distance clickable apertures are available at every full stop on the aperture ring that is quite small and is placed at front. The focusing ring is larger with easy-to-grip hill-valley design and boasts a massive 290\u00b0 of smooth, dampened rotation with excellent resistance. The big focus throw helps with precise manual focusing.\u00a0 I’m particularly impressed by its smooth operation, as many older German lenses suffer from stiff focusing due to dried grease.<\/p>\n

\"Meyer-Optik
Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9 on a Nikon Zfc via an AF adapter Techart TZM-02<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One interesting detail for Nikon users (though perhaps peculiar for others) is that the focusing ring direction follows Nikon’s convention for vintage lenses: infinity is on the left, and the minimum focusing distance (MFD) is on the right, seen from the camera, which is the opposite to most other lenses.<\/p>\n

\"Meyer-Optik
Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz Trioplan 50mm f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My copy of the lens is in Exakta mount, which is the most common mount. To adapt it to my Z cameras I used both a dumb EXA-to-Z adapter and the Techart autofocus Leica M-to-Nikon Z adapter. That requires an extra dumb EXA-to-Leica M adapter.<\/p>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we look at three areas of the image, center, mid-frame, and corner, see highlighted areas in the image below!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Infinity
Infinity sharpness chart | Nikon Z 7II | Meyer-Optik G\u00f6rlitz trioplan 50mm f\/2.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The center sharpness is a little soft, but completely acceptable, especially for a dreamy effect. The contrast is low though and needs some help in post processing. Stopping down improves the sharpness everywhere in the frame. While stopping down will improve midframe sharpness, it won’t reach peak performance until around f\/16. However, the corners are quite weak and won’t improve significantly even when stopped down.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Portrait)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at the points of interest for portraits: the center, the center\u2019s inner periphery\u00a0 (1\/3 rule intersection), and the center\u2019s outer periphery (1\/4th intersection).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Portrait Sharpness Points of Interest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n