Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II

The Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II is a modern reworking of an East German wide-angle prime first introduced in 1964, rebuilt under the revived Meyer-Optik Görlitz brand by the German firm OPC Optics. It is the second factory revival of the design: a 2017 Kickstarter version came first, and this II model that followed in 2020 was, in the company's own account, redeveloped from scratch in both optics and mechanics [1][2][3]. Among the brand's current art lenses it sits as one of the widest in the lineup, aimed less at clinical optical performance and more at photographers who value a distinctive rendering signature [2][3].

The lens keeps faith with the original layout of five elements in five groups while updating the glass and coatings, with elements drawn from Schott and Ohara optical glasses and modern multi-coating [1][3]. It is a fully manual, made-in-Germany design with no electronic or mechanical link to the camera body, so on a film or DSLR body the finder darkens as the aperture closes and metering behaviour depends on the host camera; in practice it is most comfortable on live-view bodies where focus peaking can be used [1][3]. The aperture is a stepless, declicked ring built on a 12-blade iris, and reviewers describe the focus action as heavily damped and smooth, though the focus and aperture rings sit close together and share a similar knurl, which can cause momentary confusion by feel [1][3]. Focusing extends to a short 0.15 m, which gives an unusually long focus throw at the close end but useful near-focus framing for a lens of this angle [1][2]. It takes 52mm filters [2]. The Leica M version, like every other mount option, is uncoupled and offers no rangefinder coupling, so it is intended for use via live view rather than the rangefinder mechanism.

The II is offered in a wide range of mounts including Canon EF, Fuji X, Leica L, Leica M, M42, MFT, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony E, and launched at a list price of 899 USD [2]. Buyers should distinguish three distinct things that share the Lydith name: the vintage 1960s and 1970s East German lenses, the 2017 Kickstarter revival, and this from-scratch II revision; the 2017 version and the II differ in mechanical and optical construction despite the shared five-element heritage [2][3].

Optical qualities

Rendering The Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II pairs a classic optical heritage with modern coatings, producing strong contrast and saturated colour even at the maximum aperture rather than the soft, glowing wide-open look some expect from a revived vintage formula [3].

Sharpness Reviewers report that the centre is fairly sharp from wide open with no glow, while sharpness falls off noticeably toward the edges and into the corners, and the corners remain somewhat soft even stopped down to f/8 [3].

Contrast and color Contrast is described as high and present from the widest aperture, attributed to the modern coatings, with pleasing colour rendition that needs little correction [3].

Bokeh and transitions Out-of-focus rendering shows a slightly edgy, mildly structured character under the right conditions but does not produce the pronounced bubble bokeh associated with the brand's Trioplan [3].

Flare resistance The lens is noted for a colourful, rainbow-like flare that can be used deliberately without the whole frame washing out into heavy veiling flare, a trait some find appealing for video [3].

Digital use On a Leica M digital body the strong wide-open contrast lets focus peaking work effectively, which suits the lens to live-view shooting [3].

History

Development and Launch The original Lydith was designed in the late 1950s and brought to market in 1964, and was praised in its day for sharpness, contrast and colour fidelity [1][2]. The modern revival began in 2017, when Meyer-Optik Görlitz ran a Kickstarter campaign to reintroduce the lens, keeping the five-element, five-group base design but adding Schott glass, modern coatings, a 12-blade iris in place of the original ten, and a much shorter minimum focusing distance [1].

Production Evolution After the earlier owners of the brand ceased trading, OPC Optics took over and continued the revival program [3]. The Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II, announced in August 2020, followed the Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 II as part of this relaunch and, according to OPC managing director Timo Heinze, was rebuilt from the ground up after customer feedback, with reworked internal optics and a redesigned mechanical construction focused on usability and performance [2]. Reviewers note the II handles more smoothly than the earlier OPC Trioplan they tested, with a well-damped, click-less aperture and a silky focus action [3].

Special editions No major factory special editions of the Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II are widely documented; the principal variation is the choice of camera mount rather than commemorative or limited finishes [2].

Collector Notes The chief point of confusion is the name itself, which is shared across the vintage 1960s and 1970s East German lenses, the 2017 Kickstarter revival, and this from-scratch II revision, so buyers should confirm which generation and which mount they are acquiring [2][3]. The II is a recent, in-production lens rather than a vintage collectible, and its Leica M mount is uncoupled with no rangefinder coupling, so it should be evaluated as a live-view optic. One reviewer also notes that some vintage Lydith samples had a reputation for decentred or tilted optics that left one side of the frame softer, a defect tied to the old lenses rather than the modern build [3].

Sources

• [1] Digital Photography Review. Meyer Optik launches modern version of historic Lydith 30mm F3.5. https://www.dpreview.com/news/5964028006/meyer-optik-launches-modern-version-of-historic-lydith-30mm-f3-5
• [2] PetaPixel. Meyer Optik Görlitz Launches the Lydith 30mm f/3.5 II Lens. https://petapixel.com/2020/08/24/meyer-optik-gorlitz-launches-the-lydith-30mm-f-3-5-ii/
• [3] 35mmc. Meyer Optik Gorlitz 30mm f/3.5 Lydith II (The New Version) Review. https://www.35mmc.com/01/02/2021/meyer-optik-gorlitz-30mm-f-3-5-lydith-ii-review/