Shoten Unveils Tribute 01 50mm f/1.1 Lens
Japanese photography accessory brand Shoten has introduced the Tribute 01 50mm f/1.1, a manual-focus lens for full-frame rangefinder cameras. Developed in collaboration with lens designer Chukyoshi DJ, the new model is the first product in the company’s Tribute series, which draws on historical optical designs. In this case, the reference is the Zunow 50mm f/1.1, a Japanese lens introduced during the 1950s and associated with the early development of ultra-fast photographic optics.
Rather than reproducing the original Zunow design exactly, Shoten has developed a contemporary lens intended to retain some of its characteristic rendering properties. At its maximum f/1.1 aperture, the Tribute 01 is designed to produce relatively low contrast, visible spherical aberration and a soft appearance around high-contrast areas. Stopping down the aperture progressively reduces these effects and increases image sharpness, allowing the optical rendering to vary according to the selected aperture.
The lens covers the full-frame 35mm format and offers an aperture range from f/1.1 to f/16, controlled through a mechanical ring with click stops. Its diaphragm consists of 13 blades, while focusing is entirely manual. The large maximum aperture allows a shallow depth of field, although accurate focusing becomes particularly important when photographing subjects at close distances.
The Tribute 01 uses a Leica screw mount, also known as L39, and is supplied with an L39-to-Leica M adapter ring. Consequently, it can be used on both screw-mount and M-mount rangefinder cameras without requiring separate versions. The lens also incorporates an adjustable rangefinder-coupling mechanism, allowing users to correct small discrepancies between the camera’s rangefinder indication and the actual plane of focus.
Minimum focusing distance is 0.5 meters, although the mechanical rangefinder coupling generally operates only down to 0.7 meters, depending on the camera. Focusing at shorter distances therefore requires an alternative method, such as live view on a compatible digital camera.
The exterior combines brass and aluminum components, with mechanical controls and engravings inspired by historical rangefinder lenses. The rear element has also been shaped to recall the protruding optical assembly of early Zunow lenses. Despite these references, the Tribute 01 is a newly manufactured lens rather than a restored vintage product.
Here are dew sample pictures, courtesy of Shoten Japan:
The lens measures approximately 62mm in diameter and 44.5mm in length, excluding the mount, and weighs around 308 grams. It accepts 52mm screw-in filters and is supplied with a dedicated lens hood, front cap, carrying accessories and the Leica M adapter ring. Black and silver finishes are available.
The Shoten Tribute 01 50mm f/1.1 was released in Japan in October 2026, with international availability through selected online retailers. Pricing varies by market and distributor.
