I became fascinated with the unique visual qualities of the Meyer-Optic Gorlitz Trioplan lens.  I knew that if I were ever going to have the “Trioplan Experience,” I had to figure out a cost effective way.  I realized that some of the old cameras had the famous Trioplan formulation.  It was just a matter of mounting the lens (which had to have a “T” setting, many didn’t) to my DSLR camera so that it could focus.

These lenses are old.  Most were made in the 1930’s, 40’s, or 50’s.  Of course they’re going to have some problems.  Maybe there’s a slight haze or the some of the shutter speeds are not completely accurate.  Air bubbles in the glass seems to be the rule rather than the exception.  Small ones were not considered detrimental by the manufacturer.  And lens flare can be a problem with any uncoated lens.  To find perfect lenses would be cost prohibitive, and my concept for the “Trioplan Experience” would not work.  But it’s not necessary to have a perfect lens.  Good color, contrast, and focus will be obtained.  They will all have a working “T” setting so that you can use your camera’s shutter.  The Trioplan that is actually for sale on ebay took all the pictures listed here that are not product shots, of course.  A full frame camera was used, but it works equally well with a crop frame.  A filter created the lighting effect on the house.  This way I know that the lens will provide what it’s supposed to—“The Trioplan Experience.”

The lens sits in a focusing helicoid of the proper size for the focal length.  In this case, there is a good macro range.  The mount is m42, which is compatible with many cameras with only a simple adapter.  This lens also focuses past infinity, reducing the back focal distance enough that it SHOULD work with Nikon with only a simple m42 adapter (no glass).  HOWEVER I HAVEN’T TRIED THIS.  I know it works just fine with Canon.  This 100mm f4.5 lens is serial number 682798. The camera, tripod, and m42 to eos ef adapter are not included, of course.