Das Objektiv, Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 2.8 135mm (1)

Der Name Meyer-Optik-Görlitz ist mehr als das

Today an adventure started, it arrived on a rainy day (typical). A perfectly restored Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 2.8 135mm. It in such a good condition that it is practically impossible to judge its age, many thanks to Maziar Moarefi for this fine work.

So please, meet my Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 2.8 135mm, an early M42/Pentax mount edition perfectly paired with my Sony Alpha A99V A-Mount. This lens carries the signature zebra look with striking black-and-silver stripes that immediately transport you back to the 1960s. Handcrafted in Dresden, East Germany, it embodies a piece of photographic history. With its 15-blade aperture, it produces buttery, painterly bokeh that makes every portrait feel timeless. For collectors and vintage lens enthusiasts, this Orestor is not just a tool, it is a story in glass and metal.

First Impression

The build feels solid and purposeful, with a straightforward preset aperture and a focus action that is impressively smooth and delightfully long. I appreciate the extended focus travel, which makes manual focusing intuitive and precise. Compared to the Pentacon, the focus feels remarkably accurate. The lens is also quite compact, measuring about half a centimeter shorter than the Pentacon, adding to its charm and portability.

Value

I do not buy lenses purely as an investment, yet this Orestor feels special. Its combination of optical quality, historic charm, and limited availability in good condition has elevated it to a collector’s item. In recent years, prices for these lenses have risen noticeably, and given their rarity, I expect this trend to continue. Owning one is not just about the glass in front of your camera, it is about holding a piece of photographic history that only becomes more treasured with time.

Why I got it

I sought out this lens for its renowned optical qualities. Its bokeh is simply spectacular at almost any aperture, thanks to the perfectly circular 15-blade iris. The lens delivers striking contrast with smooth, gentle tonal transitions, earning it the nicknames “Bokeh Monster” and “Bokeh King.” While it is highly celebrated as a portrait lens, its versatility extends far beyond, making it ideal for any form of artistic photography where shallow depth of field and beautiful, creamy bokeh are paramount.