Shoten Koubou Debuts Tribute 01 Lens, a Modern Take on the 1953 Zunow 50mm f/1.1

Key facts

• Shoten Koubou released its first interchangeable lens, the Shoten Tribute 01 — LTM 50mm f/1.1, for Leica M-Mount.
• The lens is priced at approximately 115,000 yen (about $730).
• The Tribute 01 is the debut lens in Shoten's new "Tribute" series, which recreates classic lenses.
• The first homage is to the Japanese-made Zunow 50mm f/1.1, launched in 1953.
• The Zunow 50mm f/1.1 was the first lens ever to feature an aperture faster than f/1.2, according to Nikon's "Nikkor — The Thousand and One Nights" series.
• Nikon's Nikkor-N 50mm f/1.1, introduced in 1956, was the second such lens.
• The Zunow lens can fetch around $10,000 on the used market.
• Shoten collaborated with lens creator Chūkyōshi DJ to capture the Zunow's rendering while improving optical quality.
• The Tribute 01 has a 13-bladed aperture diaphragm and a minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters (1.64 feet).
• Rangefinder coupling starts at 0.7 meters (2.3 feet); closer focusing requires live view.
• The lens weighs just over 300 grams (10.9 ounces) and measures 44.5 millimeters (1.75 inches) long.
• It accepts 52mm filters and ships with an L39-M conversion ring for Leica L39 screw mount use.
• The lens is available now for 115,200 yen (about $730).