P. Angenieux Paris 35mm f/2.5 Retrofocus Type R1
The Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1 is a lens from Angenieux. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
P. Angenieux Paris 35mm f/2.5 Retrofocus Type R1
Get notified when one lists.
We'll text or email you the moment a Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1 is listed on GearFocus.
Have a Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1 sitting in your bag?
You'd be the first listing for this model.
Serious buyers are already watching — list yours in minutes.
Available Now on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
Key Features — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
Pioneering Retrofocus Design: The Type R1 designation marks this as one of Angenieux's early retrofocus constructions, engineered to provide sufficient back-focus distance for SLR mirror clearance — a significant optical achievement of the era.
35mm f/2.5 Aperture: A moderately fast maximum aperture for a wide-angle lens of its period, useful for available-light shooting and achieving subject separation.
M42 Screw Mount: The widely adopted 42mm thread mount allows use on a broad range of vintage SLR bodies and modern mirrorless systems via readily available adapters.
1950s French Manufacture: Built in Paris during Angenieux's most celebrated period of optical innovation, making this lens historically significant to collectors of vintage glass.
Wide-Angle Field of View: The 35mm focal length on 35mm format delivers a natural, slightly wide perspective suited to reportage, street, and environmental portrait work.
Manual Focus Operation: Fully mechanical focus with no electronic components, giving the user direct tactile control and ensuring long-term reliability independent of camera compatibility.
Lens Specifications — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Street, Creative Effects |
| Lens Mount | M42 Screw Mount |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Description — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
The P. Angenieux Paris 35mm f/2.5 Retrofocus Type R1 is a vintage SLR lens produced in the 1950s, built for 35mm film format cameras and fitted with an M42 screw mount. The Retrofocus designation identifies this as an early example of the retrofocus optical design — a configuration Angenieux helped pioneer — which positions the rear principal plane far enough from the rear element to clear the mirror box of an SLR camera.
Focus is manual only, with no autofocus mechanism of any kind. At 250–300 grams, the lens is practical to carry and handle. Flash compatibility is none, consistent with its role as a standalone optical instrument.
The M42 screw mount means that with the appropriate adapter, this lens can be mounted on a wide variety of modern camera systems, making it of genuine interest to photographers and filmmakers who seek vintage rendering characteristics. As a piece of French optical heritage from the 1950s, each example carries decades of history alongside its optical qualities.
Pros — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
- ✓Historic M42 screw mount enables broad adapter compatibility with modern camera systems
- ✓Manufactured in the 1950s, representing a significant period in retrofocus lens development
- ✓Designed specifically for 35mm film format SLR use, ensuring proper mirror clearance on compatible bodies
Cons — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support for photographers who require it
- ✗M42 screw mount requires an adapter for use on most modern camera systems
- ✗No flash compatibility listed, limiting integrated flash-based shooting setups
Videos — Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 Type R1
P.Angenieux 35mm f2.5 — Vintage Lens Tasting Notes