Production
1960 – 1990
Country
East Germany
Optical
7 elements in 6 groups, Classical Double Gauss variant based on Oreston design.
Updated
Feb 6, 2026
Pentacon 50mm f1.8
M42 Screw Mount · 50mm · f/1.8
Overview
The Pentacon 50mm f1.8 emerged from East German optical manufacturing heritage, produced during the height of the Cold War era. Originally designed as the Meyer Oreston or by Pentacon for M42 screw mount cameras, this lens represents decades of refinement from classical German optical design principles. It was widely distributed across Eastern Bloc countries and became a staple standard lens for Praktica, Pentacon, and other Eastern European SLR systems. The lens evolved through several iterations, including the 'Auto' versions and later MC (multi-coated) variants, eventually finding new life as a beloved budget-friendly option for modern digital and film cameras through adapter rings.
Verdict: The Pentacon 50mm f1.8 is a genuine hidden gem in the vintage lens market. For photographers seeking character over clinical perfection, this lens represents extraordinary value. Forum users consistently praise it as an excellent lens that has been left unused for years and still delivers superior results compared to other budget 50mm options. This is an essential addition to any vintage lens collection, particularly for those adapting lenses to modern cameras.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Creamy and rounded bokeh with smooth transitions from 8-bladed aperture, particularly pleasant in foreground elements.
Color
Warm, slightly saturated tones with mild yellow-green cast and excellent color fidelity; pleasing skin tones.
Sharpness wide open
Soft wide open at f1.8; excellent sharpness from f4-f11 with dramatic improvement by f2.8-f4 range.
Flare resistance
Susceptible to flare in backlit situations; produces veiling flare rather than harsh ghosting; hood recommended.
Contrast
Low to medium contrast wide open with creamy micro-contrast; increases when stopped down.
Vignetting
Mild vignetting wide open; reduces significantly by f2.8-f4; negligible by f5.6.
Community Insights
What people love
- Exceptional value for money - often found under $50 USD in good condition
- Beautiful, organic rendering with vintage character and soul
- Creamy, rounded bokeh that complements portraiture perfectly
- Robust mechanical build quality with satisfying manual focus throw
- Excellent color rendition and pleasing warm tone cast
- Performs superbly at f5.6-f8 for general purpose work
- Highly affordable entry point into vintage lens collecting
- Good as M42 copy compared to Meyer Oreston - same performance
What people dislike
- Soft and slightly fuzzy wide open - requires stopping down for sharpness
- Prone to fungus and haze issues due to element coating vulnerabilities
- Later models sometimes suffer from oil on aperture blades
- Picky focus throw requires practice and care with manual focus
- Some copies have loose barrel components that rattle
- Can produce veiling flare in harsh backlit situations
- Wide-open corner sharpness disappoints some users
Pro Tips
- Sweet spot for sharpness and character is f4-f8; plan compositions accordingly
- One of the most inexpensive 50mm lenses available, making it a gift-worthy option
- Hood is essential for controlling flare in backlit or high-contrast scenes
- Pre-cleaning check: Look through backlit optics at 45° angle to spot fungus early
- Ideal for portraits, film photography, and hybrid digital-analog workflows
- Comparable to M42 Meyer Oreston in performance - excellent lens for the price
- Stop down to f/5.6 for street or general photography to maximize sharpness
Sample Photos
Sources (2)
MFlenses ForumForum
The Pentacon 50mm f1.8 emerged from East German optical manufacturing heritage, produced during the height of the Cold War era. Originally designed as the Meyer Oreston or by Pentacon for M42 screw mount cameras, this lens represents decades of refinement from classical German optical design principles. It was widely distributed across Eastern Bloc countries and became a staple standard lens for Praktica, Pentacon, and other Eastern European SLR systems. The lens evolved through several iterations, including the 'Auto' versions and later MC (multi-coated) variants, eventually finding new life as a beloved budget-friendly option for modern digital and film cameras through adapter rings.
DPReview ForumForum
The Pentacon 50mm f1.8 emerged from East German optical manufacturing heritage during the Cold War era. Originally designed as the Meyer Oreston or by Pentacon for M42 screw mount cameras, this lens represents decades of refinement from classical German optical design. It was widely distributed across Eastern Bloc countries and became a staple for Praktica, Pentacon, and other Eastern European SLR systems. The lens evolved through several iterations including the 'Auto' versions (with silver stripes or without stripes on the aperture ring) and later MC (multi-coated) variants, and the early 'zebra' versions. Eventually finding new life as a beloved budget-friendly option for modern digital cameras through adapter rings.