Overview

The Isco-Göttingen Edixa-Iscotar 50mm f/2.8 is a triplet lens with notable character for black-and-white photography, delivering an organic, pictorial look with soft glow and retro effects. Its optical weaknesses include strong focus breathing, requiring refocusing when stopping down, and soft corners typical of triplets. At f2.8-f4, glow varies unpredictably, clearing by f5.6 for decent sharpness. Build is all-metal with a unique iris automation system using a cable release, giving a steampunk feel. It suits photographers seeking vintage rendering over sharpness, especially for BW work.