Meyer Lydith 30mm

"Zebra" version of an East German lens made for Exakta

Mine came with a Mamyia adapter fitted. But like all Lydiths it had a standard M42 mount. The odd thing about this manual diaphram lens is that it didn't use the traditional preset ring. Setting was done by pulling the aperture ring forward and rotating it to a new lock position. Never seen that before. This is a beautiful sharp lens. Apparently there is a kick start project to restart manufacture using modern lens coatings.

The Meyer Lydith 30mm F3.5 is certainly a common lens for Exakta, and one that is fairly well-known. It was heralded towards the end of the last decade as an under-appreciated gem by Ivor Mantale, the well-known British author of classic camera books (and now eBay photo dealer). The Lydith 30mm evolved eventually to the Pentacon 30mm F3.5, as the East German camera industry consolidated not long before its eventual disappearance. Like many Exakta lenses, M42 versions were made as well.