Trioplan 100mm & TT Artisan 100mm + FIT Focus Gear

Alex Tyrrel · Issue 140, Sep/Oct 2024 · pp. 40–45

Products mentioned: Meyer Görlitz Trioplan 100mm, TTArtisan 100mm, Fun-In Taiwan FIT Focus Gear, Nauticam N100 focus gear, Subal ND-7000, Sony A1, Nauticam NA-A1, Retra Pro X, M42-NEX Adapter, Macro Extension Tubes

The classic Meyer Görlitz Trioplan 100mm, created by Hugo Meyer in 1916, is based on the Cooke-Triplet designed by Harold Dennis Taylor in 1893. The Trioplan was one of the first affordable lens constructions, comprising of three lenses arranged in three groups, that allowed for a relatively high optical correction. The lens has 15 rounded aperture blades, and when shot wide open at f/2.8, especially when exposed to backlighting, it produces the famous characteristic circular bokeh, known as Soap Bubble Bokeh. This is a vintage lens with manual aperture and focus controls. In 2020 Meyer Optik Görlitz released an updated version of the lens using current manufacturing techniques and materials, but this came with a hefty price tag of €999 / £850 / $1100. Original models of the Trioplan can be picked up on eBay starting from around £250 going up to £750+ for ones in pristine condition. The …