The Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 lens, originally introduced in the 1930s by Meyer-Optik Görlitz, has made a remarkable comeback in recent years. This classic lens is renowned for its unique bokeh and distinctive rendering, capturing the hearts of photographers who seek a vintage touch in their work. In this review, we will delve into the history, design, optical performance, and practical applications of the Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9, providing a comprehensive analysis suitable for high school seniors and beyond.
Historical Background
Meyer-Optik Görlitz, a German optical company founded in the late 19th century, was well-known for producing high-quality lenses. The Primoplan series, introduced in the 1930s, was designed to offer superior performance and artistic versatility. The 58 mm f/1.9 model quickly became popular due to its fast aperture and smooth bokeh, characteristics highly valued by portrait and fine art photographers.
After several decades of dormancy, the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 was revived in the 21st century by a new company, net SE, which acquired the Meyer-Optik brand. This revival aimed to bring the classic design and optical qualities of the original lens to modern photographers while incorporating contemporary manufacturing techniques.
Design and Build Quality
The Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 maintains a classic, vintage aesthetic with a modern touch. The lens barrel is constructed from high-quality metal, giving it a robust and durable feel. The aperture ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for precise adjustments. The focus ring is also smooth, providing a satisfying tactile experience when manually focusing.
One of the standout features of the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing approximately 250 grams and measuring about 55 mm in length, this lens is easy to carry and handle, making it an excellent choice for photographers who prefer a more portable setup. The lens mount is available in various options, including Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of camera systems.
The lens features a 14-blade aperture, which contributes to its characteristic bokeh. The aperture blades are rounded, resulting in smooth and pleasing out-of-focus areas. This design choice emphasizes the lens’s ability to produce a unique and artistic rendering, particularly when shooting at wider apertures.
Optical Performance
The Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is known for its distinct optical characteristics, setting it apart from modern lenses that prioritize clinical sharpness and minimal aberrations. Here, we will examine its performance in various aspects, including sharpness, bokeh, chromatic aberration, and flare resistance.
- Sharpness Wide open at f/1.9, the Primoplan 58 mm delivers a dreamy, soft image with a notable fall-off in sharpness towards the edges. This softness can be desirable for portraiture, as it adds a gentle and flattering quality to the subject. Stopping down the aperture to around f/4 significantly improves sharpness across the frame, making it suitable for general photography where more detail is required. By f/8, the lens reaches its peak performance, offering good sharpness and detail.
- Bokeh The hallmark of the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is its bokeh, which is often described as painterly and swirly. The combination of the fast aperture and 14-blade design results in beautifully rendered out-of-focus areas. Background elements are transformed into smooth, swirling patterns that create a sense of depth and separation. This unique bokeh quality is particularly evident when photographing subjects against a busy or textured background. For photographers who prioritize creative expression over technical perfection, the Primoplan’s bokeh is a major selling point.
- Chromatic Aberration As a lens with a vintage design, the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 does exhibit some chromatic aberration, especially when used wide open. Purple and green fringing can be observed around high-contrast edges, such as tree branches against a bright sky. However, these aberrations are generally well-controlled and can be minimized by stopping down the aperture or corrected in post-processing. For many users, the unique rendering and character of the lens outweigh the presence of chromatic aberration.
- Flare Resistance Flare and ghosting are potential issues with the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9, particularly when shooting into strong light sources. The lens’s coatings, while effective to some extent, do not completely eliminate these artifacts. However, many photographers embrace the lens’s tendency to produce flare as part of its vintage charm. Using a lens hood or adjusting the shooting angle can help mitigate these effects if desired.
Practical Applications
The Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is a versatile lens that excels in various photographic genres. Here, we will explore its applications in portraiture, street photography, and creative photography.
- Portraiture The Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 shines in portrait photography, thanks to its fast aperture and unique bokeh. The lens’s softness at wide apertures can add a dreamy and ethereal quality to portraits, enhancing the subject’s features while smoothing out imperfections. The swirly bokeh creates a visually striking background, drawing attention to the subject and adding a sense of depth to the image. For photographers who aim to capture emotive and artistic portraits, the Primoplan is an excellent choice.
- Street Photography Street photographers will appreciate the compact size and discreet appearance of the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9. Its manual focus operation encourages a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to photography, allowing the photographer to engage more deeply with the scene. The lens’s ability to render beautiful bokeh can transform ordinary street scenes into captivating images with a vintage feel. However, the softness at wide apertures may not be ideal for those seeking tack-sharp detail in their street photos.
- Creative Photography For creative photographers, the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 offers a wealth of possibilities. Its unique optical characteristics can be used to experiment with different effects and styles. The lens’s bokeh can be harnessed to create abstract and artistic compositions, while its flare and ghosting tendencies can add a sense of nostalgia and atmosphere to images. The Primoplan encourages photographers to think outside the box and explore new ways of visual storytelling.
Comparison with Modern Lenses
When comparing the Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 to modern lenses, it is essential to consider the differences in design philosophy and intended use. Modern lenses often prioritize sharpness, minimal aberrations, and autofocus capabilities, catering to the demands of contemporary digital photography. In contrast, the Primoplan embraces a vintage aesthetic, with a focus on artistic expression and unique rendering.
- Autofocus vs. Manual Focus One of the most significant differences between the Primoplan and modern lenses is the lack of autofocus. The Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is a manual focus lens, which can be seen as both a limitation and an advantage. Manual focusing requires more effort and practice but allows for greater control and precision. For photographers who enjoy the tactile experience of manual focus and the slower, more deliberate process it entails, the Primoplan is a rewarding choice.
- Sharpness and Aberrations Modern lenses are designed to deliver exceptional sharpness and minimal aberrations, often utilizing advanced optical elements and coatings. In contrast, the Primoplan’s optical design prioritizes character and bokeh over clinical sharpness. While this means that the Primoplan may not be suitable for technical or commercial work requiring edge-to-edge sharpness, it excels in creating images with a unique and artistic quality.
- Build Quality and Aesthetics The Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9’s build quality and vintage aesthetic set it apart from many modern lenses. The metal construction and classic design appeal to photographers who appreciate a more traditional and tactile experience. Modern lenses, often made from lightweight materials and featuring electronic components, prioritize functionality and convenience. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference and the type of photography one aims to pursue.
Conclusion
The Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is a lens that stands out for its unique optical characteristics and vintage charm. Its distinctive bokeh, soft rendering at wide apertures, and compact design make it a valuable tool for photographers seeking to add a touch of artistry and nostalgia to their work. While it may not match the sharpness and technical perfection of modern lenses, the Primoplan’s strengths lie in its ability to create images with character and emotion.
For portrait photographers, the Primoplan offers a flattering and dreamy rendering that can enhance the subject’s features and add a sense of depth to the image. Street photographers will appreciate its discreet appearance and manual focus operation, which encourage a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to capturing scenes. Creative photographers will find endless possibilities for experimentation, using the lens’s unique optical qualities to explore new styles and effects.
Ultimately, the Meyer Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is a lens that appeals to those who value artistic expression and the joy of photography. Its revival in the modern era is a testament to its enduring appeal and the timeless quality of its design. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or an enthusiast looking to explore new creative avenues, the Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9 is a lens worth considering for your photographic toolkit.
References
- Meyer-Optik Görlitz. (n.d.). Primoplan 58 mm f/1.9. Retrieved from Meyer-Optik Görlitz website.
- Photography Life. (n.d.). Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 II Review. Retrieved from Photography Life website.
- DPReview. (n.d.). Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm F1.9 II Review. Retrieved from DPReview website.
- The Phoblographer. (n.d.). Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 Review: Bokehlicious!. Retrieved from The Phoblographer website.
- Casual Photophile. (n.d.). Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 II Lens Review. Retrieved from Casual Photophile website.