Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 Z21
Announced June 1, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 Z21 is a masterfully crafted lens that revives a classic, painterly aesthetic with modern build precision. It offers a unique, dreamy character wide open that transitions to sharp, versatile performance when stopped down.
Weighted from 8 reviewer scores
Pros
- Distinctive, painterly, and dreamy optical character
- High-quality, lightweight aluminum construction
- Versatile performance including medium format coverage
- Improved modern usability features like close focus and aperture clicks
- Precise mechanical focus and aperture operation
Cons
- Significant softness and sharpness fall-off at the edges
- Pronounced field curvature
- Presence of optical aberrations and veiling
- Loss of unique character when stopped down
- Lack of included lens hood
- Launch price $1,099 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 50mm f/1.5
- Mount & coverage Leica M Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 70 cm
- Filter thread 52mm
- Autofocus motor Manual focus only
- Weight & size 313g · 60.7 x 64.2 mm (2.39 x 2.53 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 8 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 9/10
Light Lens Lab has accomplished its task of faithfully recreating a look that is out of the range of most photographers. The Z21 delivers a charming look that I never found gimmicky or overdone.
-
It is a fantastically unique looking lens and the only thing is the bokeh which in certain situations can look kind of appealing but in other situations it can look um what they technically term as bloody hideous [...]
-
I think this lens is exceptional.
-
It’s a recreation from another era when images looked different.
-
It’s a lens that is so fun to use that it gets kind of addictive.
-
I was instantly blown away as soon as I saw the results in Lightroom.
-
This is truly a magical lens.
-
[T]his is one of my favorite 50mm lenses the Light Lens Lab has made to date.
