Panomicron Announces Bismuth 50mm f/2.8 1.5x Anamorphic M-mount Lens
Panomicron has presented the Bismuth 50mm f/2.8 1.5x Anamorphic, an experimental Leica M-mount lens introduced through a Kickstarter campaign. The project is led by Swiss designer Oscar Oweson and is positioned as a small-batch, artisanal production rather than a mass-market release.
The Bismuth is a manual-focus, rangefinder-coupled 50mm lens designed to cover the full-frame 36×24mm format. It features an anamorphic squeeze ratio that varies between 1.45x and 1.6x, averaging approximately 1.55x, resulting in a horizontal field of view comparable to a lens in the low-30mm range. The aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/22 and can be de-clicked via an adjustment screw. Instead of a traditional helicoid, the lens uses a cam-based focusing system and does not extend during operation: the focusing system covers distances from infinity down to 0.7 meters.
The Bismuth is a manual-focus, rangefinder-coupled 50mm lens designed to cover the full-frame 36×24mm format. It features an anamorphic squeeze ratio that varies between 1.45x and 1.6x, averaging approximately 1.55x, resulting in a horizontal field of view comparable to a lens in the low-30mm range. The aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/22 and can be de-clicked via an adjustment screw. Instead of a traditional helicoid, the lens uses a cam-based focusing system and does not extend during operation: the focusing system covers distances from infinity down to 0.7 meters.
Optically, the lens consists of seven elements in seven groups, including one anomalous partial dispersion element, and is multicoated for the visible spectrum. The design is derived from the 50mm Elcan, itself a compact Sonnar-type lens developed at Leitz Canada in the late 1960s. In the Bismuth, the original concept is adapted to accommodate an anamorphic group while maintaining compact dimensions. The maximum aperture is reduced to f/2.8 to simplify manufacturing and manage size. A rear anamorphic cylinder rotated by 90 degrees is used to compensate for squeeze variation during focusing.
The lens accepts 52mm front filters, and measures 74mm in total length. Construction is entirely manual, with a single focusing ring coupled to the Leica M rangefinder mechanism and an aperture ring marked in half-stop increments. All optical glass is sourced from Japanese manufacturer Ohara, with extensive use of high-index and specialty glass types.
The Bismuth is offered in multiple configurations, including a standard version and a heavier all-brass variant at a higher price point, along with an optional optical viewfinder accessory. Production and assembly are intended to be handled largely by Oweson himself, underscoring the limited and experimental nature of the project. The Kickstarter campaign seeks to fund limited manufacturing, with pricing starting at roughly $2,000 and estimated deliveries beginning in mid-2026, assuming the project proceeds as planned.
As with most crowdfunding efforts, timelines and final specifications remain subject to change, and backers are advised to consider the inherent risks associated with this type of release.
