Zeiss Super Speed 50mm t/1.4 Vintage B-Speed Lens (PL)

The Zeiss Super Speed 50mm t/1.4 Vintage B-Speed Lens (PL) is a lens available to rent from Lightbulb Rentals. We supply film, video, and photography productions across New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh with tested, production-ready gear.

Lightbulb Rentals proudly features the Zeiss B Speed T1.4 Vintage lenses in our inventory. The initial Super Speed MKI series, introduced in the mid-1970s, comprised five focal lengths with a constant T/1.4 aperture, revolutionizing cinema by enabling low-light shooting capabilities. Originally equipped with a bayonet mount, later versions adopted the PL mount. The series expanded with the addition of the 135mm T2 lens.

The B Speed MKI series includes focal lengths ranging from 18mm to 85mm, all sharing an 80mm front diameter and a T1.4 aperture. Each lens weighs between 0.8kg and 1.3kg.

The Super Speed T1.4 lenses, also known as High Speed T1.4, were developed in response to filmmakers' demand for lenses that could capture images in extremely low light. Stanley Kubrick famously used similar lenses adapted from NASA for his film "Barry Lyndon" in 1975, achieving remarkable clarity even at f/0.7.

These lenses are renowned for their distinctive character and appearance, characterized by a three-blade iris that produces triangular bokeh, especially noticeable at apertures wider than T2.8.

In the subsequent iterations of Super Speed lenses such as MKII and MKIII, while maintaining similar optical designs, the aperture blades were increased to seven, creating a nearly circular aperture shape. This design approach was further refined in Zeiss's subsequent Master Prime T1.3 and Ultra Prime T1.9 lens series.

The Super Speed MKI, MKII, and MKIII lenses served as precursors to the Master Primes, offering sharpness comparable to the Ultra Primes series at apertures above T2.8. However, at wider apertures, they exhibit reduced sharpness and increased sensitivity to flaring, despite their anti-reflective coatings.

Key specifications include a focal length of 50mm prime, a maximum aperture of T1.4, a mount of PL. It also offers a iris of 3-blade (produces triangular bokeh), a front diameter of 80mm (B Speed MKI series), a weight of 0.8-1.3 kg (series range).

Rent the Zeiss Super Speed 50mm t/1.4 Vintage B-Speed Lens (PL) from Lightbulb Rentals with same-day pickup or regional delivery across New York and Pennsylvania. Every order is fully inspected and prepped before it ships, and our team can help you build a matching package, add expendables, or answer technical questions before your shoot.