Earlier this month we were given the opportunity to interview Dr. Prenzel from Meyer-Optik Görlitz. They are about to entering the final 24hrs of their kickstarter campaign for the Trioplan f2.9/50 with over $650,000 raised. If you’re interested in getting an early discounted lens package now is the time to add your support.
Press Release:
Trioplan f2.9/50 Kickstarter Campaign Surges Past $650,000, 1000 Supporters
Just 24 Hours Remain in Meyer-Optik Görlitz’s Historic Fundraiser
Atlanta, GA – With just 24 hours remaining in Meyer-Optik Görlitz’s historic Kickstarter to fund the Trioplan f2.9/50, the lens has surpassed more than 1000 backers and more than $650,000 pledged to the campaign. The numbers represent 13x Meyer-Optik’s original funding goal for the versatile soap bubble bokeh lens.
The first Trioplan lens was released 100 years ago in Görlitz, Germany. Meyer-Optik stopped producing the lenses in the 1970s when it was observed into Zeiss. Now under the guidance of Net SE, the triumphant return of Meyer-Optik and its famous Trioplan lenses are assured.
“It has been a great month for people who love the Trioplan’s soap bubble bokeh and art lenses in general,” said Dr. Stefan Immes, CEO and creative director of the project. “The Meyer-Optik team is thrilled to see the photography community’s response, and we take our backers’ trust seriously. We are proud to restore the Meyer-Optik brand and its artistic lenses to the market.”
After last year’s successful Trioplan f2.8/100 Kickstarter and its return to the market earlier this year, the Trioplan f2.9/50 is the second and most technologically innovative member of the family. The Trioplan f2.9/50 is more than just a historic lens design, blending new design, modern materials, and handmade in Germany with precision processes.
The Trioplan f2.9/50 features a new built-in front focusing lens that provides a macro capability of 1:4 and reduces the minimum focusing distance to 0,28 m from the original 0,8m. Since the Kickstarter launched, the new Trioplan f2.9/50 front focusing element has been featured on PetaPixel, Photography Blog, and Fuji Rumors.
As part of the Kickstarter campaign, Meyer-Optik announced it will develop a prototype lens, the third member of the Trioplan. Backers of the Triple Play bundle will get early access to a prototype of the new lens, and become a Meyer-Optik tester provided that they sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The ultra compact Trioplan 50 Kickstarter ends tomorrow May 19 at noon Central European Time. Meyer-Optik expects the lens will retail for $1,299 once Kickstarter fulfillment is completed next winter. Kickstarter backers are purchasing the Trioplan f2.9/50 at an extraordinary low price, approximately half the retail price of the lens.
The Trioplan f2.9/50 lens is now available with mounts for:
- Canon EF
- Nikon F
- Sony-E
- FujiX
- Leica L
- Leica M (rangefinder not supported/focusing via live view)
- Micro-Four-Thirds
- M42
- Pentax K
The new Trioplan 50 is compatible with full format cameras and APSC (mirrorless) cameras. Here are some more tech specs at a glance:
- Optical Construction: Classical Cooke Triplet, 3 lenses in 3 groups
- Aperture: 1:2,9 to 1:22
- Focal length: 50mm
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0,25 m using the front focusing mechanism (ß‘=-0,245 / 1:4)
- Filter: 35,5mm
- Clip-On Diameter: 39mm
- Size: Ø 62 mm, length 39 mm
- Weight: 200g
- Number of Aperture Blades: 12, AR-coated
- Lenses: Anti Reflex Coating/ Supplier: Schott Glas
- Format: 24 mm x 36 mm (Compatible with Full format and APSC Cameras)
- Angle: 21°
- Image Ratio: up to 1:4 using the front focusing element
About Meyer-Optik-Görlitz
A brand with a proud tradition and reputation for exceptional products, Meyer-Optik-Görlitz started manufacturing innovative, high-quality lenses in Germany in 1896. In 2014, net SE revived the traditional spirit of the lenses once known throughout the world and started developing new lenses under the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz brand in Germany. Manufacturing handmade lenses started in 2015 with first generation prototypes. Serial production began in early 2016.
In May 2015, net SE created a new subsidiary, Meyer-Optik USA Inc. headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Meyer-Optik USA is online at http://www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com and on Facebook and Twitter.
