Light Lens Lab
Light Lens Lab 50mm f1.5 Z21 - High Gloss Black Paint Limited Edition
Pickup currently unavailable at Camera West SoHo
This 50mm f1.5 "Z21" is a thoughtful tribute to the legendary S21, closely following the original optical formula that made it so special while quietly refining what matters most for modern photographers. The six element, four group design preserves the character, rendering, and tonal personality of the original, with meaningful improvements in contrast and line transfer that feel natural rather than overcorrected.
While the soul of the lens remains intact, the design has been carefully adapted for contemporary use. Coverage has been expanded to support sensors up to 44x33mm, opening the door for medium format shooters without compromising the lens’s classic look and feel. A minimum focus distance of 0.7 meters makes it more versatile in everyday use, whether you’re working up close or letting scenes breathe.
The lightweight aluminum alloy body keeps the lens balanced and purposeful in hand, while the glass itself is something special. Each element is manufactured in house, including lanthanide infused optics developed specifically for this 50mm f/1.5, ensuring consistency, character, and long term performance.
Every lens is handcrafted and assembled in limited quantities, with exceptional attention paid to alignment, tolerances, and quality control. This is not mass production, it’s a continuation of a legacy, built slowly and deliberately for photographers who value nuance, history, and the way a lens sees the world.
Features at a Glance
Product information
All our shipments are fully insured. For shipments valued over $150, a direct signature will be required upon delivery.
We utilize various shipping carriers, with FedEx Express being our primary choice for 2-Day and Overnight shipping within the US, as well as International deliveries.
We accept returns within 14 days of delivery, subject to a restocking fee of up to 15%. This fee is not for profit, but to cover the costs associated with selling an item. Each return is evaluated individually, and we strive to minimize this fee. In many instances, we waive it entirely if the refund credit can be applied towards another item in the store.
Please note, all returned items must be in the condition in which they were shipped. If the items are returned in a different condition, we will not be able to accept them.
We highly recommend visiting us in person to experience our fine photographic tools before deciding which tool best fits your needs. Please note that our inventory is distributed among our three stores, and what you see online may be at any of these locations. Below are a few points that we’d like to make in order to meet your needs for in store pick up.
The location of each item is indicated online. For convenience, you can choose to pick up your item at any of our stores. Once purchased, the item should be ready for pick up within 4 hours at the designated store, although this might vary depending on the store's busyness and time of day. We request that you wait for a notification from us confirming that your order is ready for pick up, to ensure the best service.
If your chosen item is not available at your preferred store, we can transfer it there after purchase. If you want to pick up an item at a different store, select that store for pick up during checkout, or choose a regular shipping method and let us know your preferred pick up store via support@camerawest.com or by responding to your order confirmation email.
For any questions about in-store pick up, please email support@camerawest.com. We'll do our best to accommodate your needs.
We offer a concierge trade-in program for the gear you'd like to upgrade, cross-grade, or simply pass on to a new owner. This enables you to acquire the tools that fit your specific needs. The easiest way to trade is to bring your gear into one of our stores and meet with us in person. However, we also accommodate those who can't visit our stores. Our online process is both personal and simple.
To begin, fill out the form on our Trade // Sell page with the details of the fine photographic equipment or watches you'd like to trade in. One of our team members will then contact you to confirm any details we might need for an accurate estimate. We will provide an estimate that doesn’t only look at the value of your trade in but the whole picture of where you want to go. If the estimate is satisfactory to you, we can provide a shipping label for you to ship your gear to one of our stores for a final inspection and store credit. Finally, we apply that credit towards your new gear!
