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Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 Lens

The Rollei 50mm f/1.8 is a 50mm f/1.8 lens designed for Rollei QBM (Quick Bayonet Mount) mount cameras. Used copies start from $169 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 Lens

Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 Lens

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Lens OverviewRollei 50mm f/1.8

The Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 is a vintage standard prime lens built for the Rollei QBM (Quick Bayonet Mount) system. Designed for full-frame SLR cameras, this 50mm fixed focal length lens sits squarely in the standard range, making it a natural choice for everyday shooting, portraiture, and general photography where a classic perspective is desired. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it offers solid low-light capability and the ability to produce a shallow depth of field.

Focus is entirely manual, which suits photographers who enjoy deliberate, hands-on control over their images — a hallmark of the vintage shooting experience this lens delivers. Weighing just 250g, the lens is notably lightweight and easy to handle, adding minimal bulk to any compatible camera setup. The 49mm filter thread is a common size, meaning a wide range of filters — polarizers, ND filters, and protective filters — are readily available and affordable.

Image stabilization is not present, consistent with vintage optics of this era. Whether used on a native Rollei QBM body or adapted to a modern mirrorless or DSLR system via a compatible adapter, this lens offers an accessible entry point into the world of classic full-frame prime lenses.

Key FeaturesRollei 50mm f/1.8

50mm f/1.8 Planar Design: The Planar optical formula delivers strong center sharpness and smooth rendering, characteristic of this classic Zeiss-derived design.

HFT Anti-Reflection Coating: Rollei's High Fidelity Transfer (HFT) multi-coating reduces flare and ghosting, improving contrast and color fidelity in challenging lighting.

Rollei QBM Mount: Designed for Rollei's Quick Bayonet Mount system, and widely adaptable to modern mirrorless cameras via third-party adapters.

f/1.8 Maximum Aperture: Allows shooting in low-light conditions and produces a shallow depth of field for subject separation.

Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle covers a full 35mm frame with no vignetting on compatible bodies.

Manual Focus Only: All-manual focus operation suits deliberate, controlled shooting and adapts well to focus-peaking systems on modern mirrorless cameras.

Lens SpecificationsRollei 50mm f/1.8

Rollei 50mm f/1.8 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesPortrait, Street, Creative Effects
Lens TypePrime
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length50mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.8
Camera SystemSLR
Lens MountRollei QBM (Quick Bayonet Mount)
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread49mm

DescriptionRollei 50mm f/1.8

The Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 is a prime lens built for full-frame SLR cameras using the Rollei QBM (Quick Bayonet Mount). With a fixed 50mm focal length in the standard range and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it delivers a classic shooting experience suited to a wide variety of photographic subjects. Focusing is manual only, placing full creative control in the photographer's hands — a defining characteristic of this vintage optic.

At 250g, it is a lightweight companion that won't weigh down your system. The 49mm filter thread offers broad compatibility with commonly available filter accessories. There is no image stabilization, consistent with its vintage design.

Whether used natively on a Rollei QBM body or adapted for modern use, this lens represents a compact, lightweight standard prime with a fast f/1.8 aperture and full-frame coverage.

ProsRollei 50mm f/1.8

  • Wide f/1.8 maximum aperture enables strong low-light performance and shallow depth of field control
  • Full-frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) means no crop or vignetting concerns on compatible bodies
  • Lightweight at just 250g, keeping your kit manageable

ConsRollei 50mm f/1.8

  • Manual focus only — no autofocus support, which may slow down fast-moving or spontaneous shooting
  • Rollei QBM mount is a niche vintage system, so native body compatibility is limited
  • No image stabilization, requiring steady hands or faster shutter speeds in lower light

VideosRollei 50mm f/1.8

Voigtlander Color Ultron 50mm f1.8 Full Review (Carl Zeiss / Rollei Planar)Raychristofer

Resources & DownloadsRollei 50mm f/1.8

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked QuestionsRollei 50mm f/1.8

What camera mount does this lens use?+
This lens uses the Rollei QBM (Quick Bayonet Mount). It is designed natively for Rollei QBM-compatible SLR cameras. Third-party adapters may allow use on other camera systems, but native compatibility is specific to QBM bodies.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No, this is a manual focus lens only. There is no autofocus mechanism. Photographers will need to focus by hand using the focus ring, which is typical of vintage prime lenses from this era.
Will this lens cover a full-frame sensor?+
Yes, the lens is specified as Full Frame format, meaning it is designed to cover a full-frame image circle. It should perform without crop-related vignetting on full-frame compatible bodies.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has a 49mm filter thread, which is a widely available standard size. You can use a broad selection of 49mm filters including polarizers, UV filters, and neutral density filters with this lens.
How heavy is this lens?+
The Rollei Planar HFT 50mm f/1.8 weighs 250g, making it a lightweight option that adds minimal weight to your camera kit.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, image stabilization is listed as None in the specifications. This is standard for vintage prime lenses, so photographers should account for camera shake when shooting at slower shutter speeds.

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