Pentacon Auto 50mm f/1.8

Pentacon Auto 50mm f/1.8 - Like New | Sharp German Prime with Renowned Close-Focusing

The Pentacon Auto 50mm f/1.8 (S/N: 5890659) is a legendary standard prime lens from East Germany, celebrated for its exceptional sharpness and unique rendering. Often considered the successor to the Meyer-Optik Oreston, this lens is famous for its remarkably short minimum focusing distance of just 33cm, allowing for dramatic close-up shots that most 50mm lenses cannot achieve. With its fast f/1.8 aperture, it provides excellent low-light performance and a smooth, pleasing bokeh that isolates subjects beautifully. Built with a robust all-metal barrel and featuring a precise manual focus ring, the Pentacon Auto is a favorite among vintage enthusiasts and digital shooters alike for its tactile mechanical feel and "organic" image quality.

Key Features

• Fast f/1.8 maximum aperture for shallow depth-of-field and low-light versatility

• Exceptional close-focusing distance of 0.33m for detailed near-macro photography

• Multi-coated glass elements designed to enhance contrast and reduce flare

• Robust all-metal construction built to professional East German standards

• Universal M42 screw mount for easy adaptation to almost any modern digital camera

• Six-blade diaphragm creating a soft, vintage-style background blur

• Auto/Manual switch for compatibility with various film and digital systems

Introductory Paragraph The Pentacon Auto 50mm f/1.8 is a staple of European optical history, known for delivering high-end performance in a compact and durable package. This specific unit (S/N: 5890659) represents the "Multi-Coated" era of Pentacon production, offering improved color saturation and better resistance to ghosting compared to earlier versions. Its 50mm focal length provides a natural, human-eye perspective, making it the perfect "all-around" lens for everything from street photography to intimate portraits. Whether you are shooting on a classic Praktica or adapting it to a modern mirrorless sensor, this lens offers a level of character and micro-contrast that is hard to find in modern optics.

Condition Report Good condition. The lens barrel (S/N: 5890659) shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear consistent with its age. The optics are clear, free from fungus, haze, or significant scratches. The manual focus mechanism is smooth and well-dampened across the entire range. The aperture ring clicks firmly at all stops, and the blades are clean and oil-free. The Auto/Manual switch is fully functional.

Specialist Note "The Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 is one of the best-kept secrets in the M42 world. While it's widely available, its performance rivals lenses that cost five times as much. What I love most about this lens is the 'pop' it gives to subjects—the transition from the sharp focal point to the soft background is very smooth. It’s also incredibly fun for close-up work; at 0.33m, you can get shots that other 50mm lenses simply miss. This is a lens that feels like a precision instrument in your hand and consistently punches above its weight class."

What's Included

• Pentacon Auto 50mm f/1.8 Lens (S/N: 5890659)

• Original Hard Case
  

• Rear Lens Cap

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Lenses

• Lens Mount: M42 Screw Mount

• Focal Length: 50mm

• Aperture Range: f/1.8 - f/16

• Category: Lenses ▸ Prime Lens

• Filter Size: 49mm