Based on a classic optical design, the Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II from Meyer-Optik Gorlitz is a compact wide-angle prime designed for Sony E-mount cameras. The revised five elements, five groups configuration produces a high degree of sharpness along with a distinct artistic quality for a smooth rendering of out-of-focus areas to suit shallow depth of field shooting. Individual elements are made from coated Schott and O'Hara optical glasses in order to produce vibrant colors and high contrast in a variety of lighting conditions. This lens is also characterized by its manual focus operation, short 6.3" minimum focusing distance, and a 10-blade diaphragm that produces circular out of focus highlights.
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/22
- Coated Schott and O'Hara Optical Glass
- Manual Focus Design
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II Overview
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II Specs
Focal Length | 30mm |
Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
Lens Mount | Sony E |
Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
Angle of View | 71° |
Minimum Focus Distance | 6.3" / 16 cm |
Optical Design | 5 Elements in 5 Groups |
Diaphragm Blades | 12 |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Image Stabilization | No |
Filter Size | 52 mm (Front) |
Weight | 9.5 oz / 270 g |
Package Weight | 3.285 lb |
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 8.3 x 6.4 x 4.8" |
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II Reviews
Decidedly Different In A Very Nice Way
I ove the way this Lydith renders, excellent detail wide open but with a soft glow. Stop it dow to f/5.6 and it get amazingly sharp, although still a bit mushy in the corners. It is proving outstanding for head/shoulders portraits wide open and nice for landscapes stopped down to f/5.6 to f/11. Its optical design is old but then that what I bought it for. Fabrication quality is excellent, beautifully made. My old wish would be that they make it rangefinder couple for Leica M cameras (none of M digital cameras support live view). One buys this lens for what it is, and it is not like a late version Leica lens yet it has its own qualities one can take advantage of. Considering it is a lens made in Germany by skilled craftsmen just as Leica lenses are, the price is not bad at all. Just realize what you are buying is old school optical design in a beautiful modern package.
Outstanding lense.
The small size of the lense make it easy to carry in your photo bag. This lense enables not only great bokeh but provides a very good sharpness and is very sensitive to white balance variations. Try it and you will enjoy it immediately.
A lens for an artist....
Worthy of the Lydith name
Read the fine print… This isn’t rangefinder coupled
Mea culpa for missing that sentence. I was focused more on the statement that it was designed for Leica M cameras, which don’t have a live view in the viewfinder. But what really bothers me about this lens is that the front of it will rotate freely, which moves the red dot for setting the aperture completely around so that it’s at the bottom of the lens. In short, the only way to use this lens on a Leica M is in hyperfocal mode with a very small preset f-stop and a preset focus at hyperfocal distance.
Good and a bit different
Build is solid and image is sharp. Based on an old design rather than trying to make a perfectly sharp lens; check reviews for more details. The light from the flares caused some slight banding on my A6000. I did not notice the issue on a NEX5R. Packaging is impressive: maybe part of recapturing the experience of long ago.
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