Trioplan 35mm f/2.8 II Review

This lens is a one-trick pony, and that trick is wild, swirly, soap bubble bokeh. If you're buying the Nikon Meyer-Optik Trioplan 35mm f/2.8 II, you're buying it for that specific, vintage-inspired look and nothing else. It's heavy, manual focus only, and not particularly sharp, but it creates a dreamy, chaotic background effect that modern lenses try to smooth out.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a lens designed to replicate old flaws. Sharpness is mediocre, landing in the 33rd percentile, so don't plan on critical detail work. The surprise is how pronounced the soap bubble bokeh effect is, even at this 35mm focal length. It really does turn busy backgrounds into a field of glowing orbs, which is fun for creative portraits.

At $649, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for a single, niche artistic effect from a lens that scores poorly in almost every practical category. It's not a good value as a general-use lens, but as a dedicated tool for a specific look, the price might be justified for the right photographer.

For a practical 35mm on Nikon F, the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z is cheaper, autofocus, faster, and sharper. It won't give you the Trioplan's wild bokeh, but it's a vastly more versatile tool. If you want character on a budget, look at used vintage lenses. The Panasonic 14-140mm is a zoom for a different system, so it's not a direct competitor, but it highlights the Trioplan's complete lack of versatility for travel.

Only buy this lens if the soap bubble bokeh look is your primary creative goal and you're willing to work around its significant flaws. For everyone else, especially anyone needing autofocus, sharpness, or a lens to carry all day, there are far better options. It's a fun specialty lens, not a workhorse.