Rollei Planar 80mm HFT (L39)
Medium format Planar 80mm LSM version
A review and Photo example of the Planar 80mm F2.8.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Planar 80mm F2.8 Photo example (with Kodak DCS-Pro/SLR n)
Review
1．Overview
The Planar 80mm F2.8 was a medium telephoto lens released in 2003 to coincide with the release of the film camera Rollei 35 RF, at the same time as the standard focal length Sonnar 40mm F2.8.
The lens I had was silver, but a black lens barrel was also sold, just like the Sonnar 40mm.
This lens can be used with Leica Screw L39 Mount (abbreviated as LSM) and Nikon F Mount, as the helicoid with focus ring and the lens part can be separated.
The standard mount sold was LSM, and the helicoid for Nikon F Mount was sold separately. The helicoid for Nikon F Mount was only available in black.
The Rollei 35RF is a Cosina BESSA R2 with the exterior and viewfinder frame changed to 40/80, and it appears that most of the 40mm / 80mm lens parts offered at the same time were also provided by COSINA. However, the exterior of the PLANAR 80mm is marked “Made in Germany,” so the lens coating and final assembly are carried out in Germany.
The helicoid for Nikon-F (sold separately) is marked “Made in Japan,” so it is likely manufactured by Cosina. An external viewfinder for the 40mm was provided, but I have never seen one for the 80mm, so I don’t think one is provided.
2．Usage
When the LSM mount is attached, the maximum outer diameter of the lens is 55mm, almost the same as the Leica M mount, and the lens length is 80mm. Combined with the lens barrel design with few bumps, the slender and delicate appearance does not inspire a desire to own it. When the Nikon F mount is attached, the appearance is not uniform when combined with a silver lens barrel, so I wish they had also released a silver Nikon F mount.
The overall impression of the image is that it has good resolution from the open aperture of F2.8, and although the image may feel a little stiff, it is a modern lens with smooth front and rear bokeh.
The double image overlap of the rangefinder camera makes it a little difficult to focus, and the difficulty of focusing at the open aperture and the ease of camera shake due to the focal length make it a lens that I do not use often.
After that, I got a helicoid for Nikon-F mount and started using it with Kodak’s 35mm full-frame sensor digital camera, KODAK DCS Pro/n, but what held me back was the minimum shooting distance of 1.2m.
Even though it has an 80mm focal length, the minimum shooting distance of 1.2m was not enough. If it could get as close as 0.8m, it would be impressionistic, but since it is a lens derived from a medium format camera, it was probably a reasonable specification at the time of the lens’ release.
The two negative aspects of focusing and the minimum shooting distance can be easily eliminated with a mirrorless camera of the 2020s by using a high-performance EVF and auxiliary helicoid, so it can be said that this lens was ahead of its time. If you try to get it used now, you should be prepared for it to be quite expensive.
In 2003, when this lens was released, film was the mainstream for rangefinder cameras, and even L/M mount medium telephoto lenses such as the SUMMICRON 90mm and SUMMILUX 75mm were sold second-hand for about half the price of new ones. The Rollei brand was not a very popular lens, so I bought it new in a clearance sale at Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku in the 2010s. I bought it at rock bottom price, and sold it for about double that price, so I have relatively little regret about letting it go. If I had owned it, I would have liked to test how well it would perform on a medium format digital camera.
3．Differences
80mm is a focal length used in medium format cameras, and lenses are available from several manufacturers, including Hasselblad, Mamiya, and Contax 645. When used with 645 medium format film, the focal length in 35mm film format is approximately 50mm, so it is used as a standard lens.
A famous 35mm film lens is the Summilux 80mm for Leica SLR R mount, which is used as a medium telephoto portrait lens.
I once saw a Rollei SLX Planar 80mm modified for EOS mount, but I wasn’t able to buy it at the time.
Specification and Competitor
| Manufacturer | Rollei | LEICA | HASSELBLAD | CONTAX |
| Lens mount | LEICA L39 | LECIA R | HASSELBLAD V | CONTAX 645 |
| Lens name | Planar | SUMMILUX | Planar | Planar |
| Focal length(mm) | 80 | ← | ← | ← |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 2 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 16 | 22 | 16 |
| Apature blade | 10 | 9 | 5 | ? |
| Lens Construction | 4 groups in 5 elements | 5 groups in 7 elements | 4 groups in 6 elements | 4 groups in 6 elements |
| Min distance(m) | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Lens length(mm) Mount to top | 77.4 90mm | 69 | 52 | 67 |
| Lens Max diameter(mm) | 55 | 75 | 76 | 75 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 43 | 67 | B50 | 72 |
| Weight(g) | 470 | 700 | 458 | 524 |
| Release date | 2003 | 1980 | 1956 | 1999 |
Reference links
Update history
- 2024.11.19
- 2024.02.21:Update the article
- 2022.04.20:First draft
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