Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4

1 x Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4

1 x Lens Cap

1 x Rear Lens Cap

• Vintage Carl Zeiss Jena optical design, originally produced in East Germany in the 1950s
• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, unusually quick for a lens of its era
• Signature swirly bokeh, the defining character trait that makes this lens sought after today
• Soft, vintage rendering, distinct from the clinical sharpness of modern cine glass
• Rehoused into PL mount, so it fits directly onto modern cine cameras
• Fully manual operation, with no electronic communication or autofocus

The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4 is a genuine piece of optical history, originally built in the 1950s for 16mm cine cameras and now rehoused into a modern PL mount so it can be used on today's cameras. It's not a lens you reach for when you need clean, corrected modern glass. You reach for it when the shot calls for character.

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The defining trait is its swirly bokeh: out-of-focus backgrounds curve and swirl around the edges of frame in a way no modern lens replicates, alongside a soft, dreamlike rendering that's become genuinely sought after for music videos, fashion films and any project chasing a vintage or nostalgic look. Wide open at f/1.4 it's at its most distinctive, with rendering that sharpens up as you stop down.

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Being fully manual, there's no autofocus and no electronic communication with the camera body, so it suits productions with a focus puller or an operator comfortable pulling focus by hand. That's part of the appeal for cinematographers who want deliberate, considered shots rather than a fast-turnaround run-and-gun setup.

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As a PL-mount lens it fits cine bodies directly. Pair it with the rest of the PL-mount lenses range if your production needs cleaner modern glass alongside it for other scenes. Hire includes the lens with front and rear caps. Request a quote to build your kit list.

What is "swirly bokeh" and why does this lens have it? Swirly bokeh is when out-of-focus background elements curve around the edges of the frame rather than blurring evenly, an optical trait of certain vintage lens designs. The Biotar 50mm f/1.4 is one of the lenses best known for it, which is why it's still sought after decades after it was made.

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Is this a modern cinema lens? No. It's a genuine 1950s Carl Zeiss Jena optical design, rehoused into a PL mount for use on modern cine cameras. It's hired for its distinctive vintage character rather than the clinical correction and consistency of contemporary cine glass.

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Does it have autofocus or electronic communication? No. It's a fully manual lens with no autofocus and no electronic contact with the camera body, so it suits a production with a focus puller or an operator confident pulling focus manually.

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What kind of shoots is it best suited to? Music videos, fashion films, dream sequences and any project chasing a nostalgic or vintage look. It's a deliberate creative choice rather than a general-purpose lens for standard coverage.

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What's included with the hire? The hire includes the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4 lens, a front lens cap and a rear lens cap. Given its vintage and rehoused nature, we're happy to talk through handling and rig setup when you book.

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How much does it cost to hire the Biotar 50mm in London? The Biotar 50mm f/1.4 is £[RATE]/day +VAT. There's a 3-day week rule too, so a hire of 4 to 7 days costs the same as 3 days. The minimum spend is £100, and adapters and accessories are separate line items.