Meyer-Görlitz Primotar E 50mm f/3.5 - this lens you must have

Meyer-Optik is the brand name of an optical company from Germany. Meyer-Optik was before the Second World War as well as later as VEB Feinoptisches Werk Görlitz and as a part of the Kombinat VEB Pentacon Dresden a major manufacturer of camera lenses.

The Meyer-Görlitz Primotar 50mm f / 3.5 (Primotar = Vierlinser, that is the arrangement of the lenses in four groups) was produced in the years 1948 to 1958. My specimen is silver (made of aluminum) was manufactured in the year 1957 in two versions: as a lens with M42 bayonet and with Exakta bayonet.

The lenses are single coated. It is not particularly bright with an initial aperture of 3.5.

Let us take as usual the statistical data :

Optical design: 5 elements in 4 groups

Aperture blades: 6  (not rounded)

Apertures: f/3,5 to f/16

Closest focusing distance: 45 cm (last marking on the focus ring is 0,5 m = 1,7 ft.)

Length: 43 mm (1,7")

Weight: 173 gr. (6,2 oz.)

Filter thread: unusual 40,5 mm

The lens is made of full metal like a tank and has a very nice feel.  Because of its age, many copies have some problems with the operation of the focus and aperture rings. Many copies are blackened by oxidation, the labels are abraded. Fortunately, my specimen is in excellent external condition. The operation of the lens is somewhat difficult because of the narrow front aperture ring. 

The aperture ring otherwise is running smoothly and silently without clack- good for filming.
Because of its age and the starting aperture of f/3.5, the lens is in these days available from 30 to 50 euros.

We come to the most important thing: the picture quality.  The lens provides very sharp images even when the aperture is fully open. Especially in the center of the image contrast and resolution are excellent. To the outside, sharp corners are only reached from aperture f/8.  For an objective of this age, this is an extraordinary result. Since the front lens is sunk very deeply in the lens tube, backlight does not create any major problems, a lens hood is rarely necessary in my opinion.
The bokeh is very soft and creamy. Although the lens is not so fast, the photographer can easy free objects and people against a blurred background.
From my site, I can recommend any photo enthusiasts to adapt this lens. Provided you get it at a good price.
Here are some photos that I have shot in the last week with this lens: