Retropia - The Other End of the Lens Spectrum
p.1 #1Retropia - The Other End of the Lens Spectrum
While I've been waiting for a new lens to be released that I've pre-ordered I addressed my case of GAS by purchasing a lens from Retropia. These lenses are highly affordable (40$ US +/-) and feature a repurposed disposable camera plastic lens. While not much is available about the technical specs for these lenses I was able to find that they usually consist of 2-3 molded optical quality elements. There is no coating and no focus. Focal length is "around 32mm" and an F-stop around "11". Some might find humor in that number.
My lens shipped from China and took about two weeks to arrive in the US. The tracking information was quite good and better than I've gotten from some larger lens companies. Here is the lens and its packaging:
Retropia by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
So, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, it looks like an Oreo and if you like its available in different colors. The digital printing is quite good and it fits tight to my Sony A7R5. The only issue I have is it fits like a body cover and the lens lock doesn't engage. There is an alignment indicator but it doesn't actually align with the red mounting dot. So, let's see what we get when we take it for a spin. These are from a short walk around downtown Reno.
Images were processed out of C1. The only adjustment I made was to set the images to Film Standard.
Retropia Reno Walk - Film Standard by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
We get a nice bit of glow and obviously there's quite a bit of light fall off in the corners. It's not razor sharp and as I look through images I think the focal plane is about at 10' from the camera. It makes sense as these lenses were intended for casual people photography. Out curiosity I developed the image with Cobalt Kodachrome 25b. I kind of like the result.
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Here are a few more sample images all in Kodachrome.
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on Flickr
My lens shipped from China and took about two weeks to arrive in the US. The tracking information was quite good and better than I've gotten from some larger lens companies. Here is the lens and its packaging:
Retropia by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrSo, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, it looks like an Oreo and if you like its available in different colors. The digital printing is quite good and it fits tight to my Sony A7R5. The only issue I have is it fits like a body cover and the lens lock doesn't engage. There is an alignment indicator but it doesn't actually align with the red mounting dot. So, let's see what we get when we take it for a spin. These are from a short walk around downtown Reno.
Images were processed out of C1. The only adjustment I made was to set the images to Film Standard.
Retropia Reno Walk - Film Standard by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrWe get a nice bit of glow and obviously there's quite a bit of light fall off in the corners. It's not razor sharp and as I look through images I think the focal plane is about at 10' from the camera. It makes sense as these lenses were intended for casual people photography. Out curiosity I developed the image with Cobalt Kodachrome 25b. I kind of like the result.
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrHere are a few more sample images all in Kodachrome.
Retropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrRetropia Reno Walk - Kodachrome by Kevin Kemner, on FlickrAug 01, 2026 at 08:03 AM
p.1 #2Retropia - The Other End of the Lens Spectrum
Not quite Holga, but definitely not GM.
Aug 02, 2026 at 03:17 AM
p.1 #3Retropia - The Other End of the Lens Spectrum
Reminds me of the results I got when I played with making a Pinhole lens for my camera. 
Aug 02, 2026 at 05:59 AM
p.1 #4Retropia - The Other End of the Lens Spectrum
Choderboy wrote:
Not quite Holga, but definitely not GM.
Back in the early days of e-mount, I played with the super-cheap Holga 25mm lens. The Retropia looks like similar fun.
Not quite Holga, but definitely not GM.
Back in the early days of e-mount, I played with the super-cheap Holga 25mm lens. The Retropia looks like similar fun.
ILCE-7S ---- lens 1/60s 51200 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7R ---- lens 1/80s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
Aug 02, 2026 at 06:27 AM