Pentacon 50mm normal lens for M42 mount, produced in East Germany — a standard prime widely used in film and photography.
Technical Details
The lens features six elements in four groups with a minimum focusing distance of 35 cm. The aperture ranges from f/1.8 to f/16 with a semi-automatic preset aperture. The filter thread measures 49mm, with a lens weight of 230 grams and a length of 44mm. The optical design follows the Double Gauss layout with special multi-coating from 1970 onwards. Two main variants exist: the early version with zebra ribbing on the focus ring and the later one with continuous black paint.
History & Development
In 1968, VEB Pentacon introduced the 50mm f/1.8 as a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive Carl Zeiss Pancolar. Development was overseen by Ludwig Bertele, who had co-developed the Contax lenses. In 1970, the lens received improved multi-coating, recognizable by the reddish reflection of the front element. With German reunification in 1990, production ended after over one million units were manufactured. Today, it is considered a sought-after vintage lens for analog and digital cameras.
Practical Use in Film
The Pentacon 50 was predominantly used in Eastern European productions, including films from the DEFA studios. Cinematographers appreciate its characteristic bokeh quality at wide apertures and its warm color rendition in daylight. The moderate sharpness at f/1.8 creates a cinematic look without excessive digital precision. When stopped down to f/4 to f/8, the lens achieves its optimal sharpness performance. Manual focus requires precise operation but rewards with smooth focus pulls without breathing effects.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the more expensive Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50mm f/1.4, the Pentacon 50 offers similar image quality with lower light gathering capability. Modern alternatives like the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 or Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 technically surpass it but do not achieve the characteristic vintage look. With M42 adapters, the Pentacon 50 can be used on all current camera systems. For authentic retro aesthetics, it competes with the Helios 44-2 58mm, which however has a different focal length and stronger distortions.