[M42] Fujinon 55mm F2.2 Review – “Soap Bubble Bokeh” related Triplet type lens configuration

Hiron
Hello, my name is hiron. I am a vintage lens addict. (Twitter / Youtube)

This time I review Fujinon 55mm F2.2.

I was looking for a “Soap Bubble Bokeh” lens, like the previous Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, and purchased it.

I found out that taking a picture to create “Soap Bubble Bokeh” involves the lens configuration of the lens.

The occurrence of “Soap Bubble Bokeh” is related to the lens configuration of Triplet.

Trioplan is popular as “Soap Bubble Bokeh” vintage lens. I learned that the occurrence of “Soap Bubble Bokeh” is related to the lens configuration of Triplet.

In addition, it seems that “Soap Bubble Bokeh” occurs even in the Ernostar type and Speedic type lenses which are the development type of Triplet type.

The reason why Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8 that I reviewed last time created “Soap Bubble Bokeh” seems to be because the lens was an Ernostar type lens.

And this Fujinon 55mm F2.2 is a Triplet type lens.

Memo for using Fujinon 55mm F2.2 as M42 mount lens

Fujinon 55mm F2.2 was released around 1970 as a lens for the FUJICA ST series.

Fujinon 55mm F2.2 is an ST mount that is an improved version of the M42 mount.

The ST mount has a “nail” that is not found in the M42 mount. Therefore, to use this lens as an M42 mount, it is necessary to sharpen this “nail”.

Select a mount adapter (to use Fujinon 55mm F2.2 with a digital camera)

A mount adapter is required to use the vintage lens with current digital cameras.

Fujinon 55mm F2.2 can be used as an M42 mount lens by shaving the “nail” as shown above.

If you want to use Fujinon 55mm F2.2 with PENTAX digital SLR, you need a mount adapter called M42-PK. It is a thin adapter.

If you use this lens with a SONY mirrorless camera, you will need a mount adapter called M42-NEX.

Use a mount adapter suitable for your digital camera.

Sample photos with Fujinon 55mm F2.2 attached to PENTAX K-7

I went to Yoyogi Park with Fujinon 55mm F2.2. SLR PENTAX K-7 was used as the camera body.

Yoyogi Park is a very large park in Tokyo. I got off at Yoyogi Hachiman Station and went to this park.

Yoyogi Park location

 

I learned a trick that makes it easy to shoot Soap Bubble Bokeh when the sunbeams in the trees are the subject.

Fujinon 55mm F2.2 is a triplet-type lens configuration, so I was able to take a picture with “Soap Bubble Bokeh” with a sharper outline than when taken with Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8.

When I blurred the shining subject, I could shoot Soap Bubble Bokeh.

The condition of this lens was so bad that it was not suitable for normal shooting. The whole picture taken with this lens was blurred.

Fujinon 55mm F2.2 Review Summary

This time, I reviewed Fujinon 55mm F2.2.

This vintage lens was the second lens I purchased to take “Soap Bubble Bokeh” photos. I can say that it is a very suitable lens for this purpose. I learned that the triplet type lens configuration is related.

Thank you for reading to the end.

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