Trioplan 100 f2.8 II Review

This is a weird one, and that's the point. The Canon Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100 f2.8 II is a modern remake of a classic triplet lens design. It's a 100mm prime for Canon RF mount, and it's built to deliver a specific, old-school look with its 15-blade aperture and simple optics. Don't buy this for clinical sharpness or fast autofocus. Buy it because you want your photos to have a distinct, swirly, vintage character that you can't get from a standard modern lens.

Performance is all about character, not specs. The bokeh is its star feature, landing in the 84th percentile. Those 15 blades make for really smooth, circular out-of-focus highlights, especially wide open. But the optical performance percentile is low at 33rd, so expect softer edges, some chromatic aberration, and that signature 'soap bubble' bokeh effect. Autofocus is manual-only here, and its 48th percentile ranking reflects that it's a basic, no-frills focusing ring. It's sharp enough in the center for portraits, but it's not winning any resolution awards.

At $999, the value proposition is super niche. You're not paying for sharpness or features. You're paying for a specific, artistic tool that creates a look software can't fully replicate. If that vintage rendering is exactly what you need for your portrait or creative work, it might be worth it. For anyone else, it's a very expensive novelty.

This lens doesn't really compete with modern workhorses. Compared to a Viltrox 35mm f1.7, you're trading autofocus, sharpness, and a wider aperture for the Trioplan's unique character. Against a zoom like the Sony 24-240mm, there's no contest in versatility; the Sony does everything, the Trioplan does one very specific thing. Your real choice is between this and other vintage-style lenses or adapting a real vintage lens for a fraction of the price, but with less convenient mounting.

Buy this lens only if you're a portrait or fine-art photographer who already knows and craves the classic Trioplan look. It's a purpose-built creative tool, not a general-use lens. If you need sharp, reliable autofocus, or shoot anything beyond controlled portraits, look literally anywhere else.