PolarPro LightLeak 50mm review: Did I just find the perfect lens for retro cameras?

Who is the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm lens for? Well, retro cameras are some of the most popular cameras on the market. The trend is pushing not only digital cameras that look like analog, but also encouraging more brands to embrace different color profile options in-camera.

But while film-like colors are part of embracing the look of traditional photography, the camera is only half of the equation; the other, often overlooked half, is the lens. The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is an optic that aims to complete that film-like look with the unusual ability to create light leaks on a digital camera.

The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm, like the PolarPro LightLeak 28mm and 16mm lenses in the series, has an opening in the side that enables creators to intentionally add, remove or adjust a light leak.

Considered an “imperfection”, the light leak was common on film cameras that come from worn-out light seals (or a photographer opening the back of the camera before properly winding the film). The LightLeak series embraces those so-called imperfections, along with the classic soft diffused look of old lenses, and even some unusual lens flare.

The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm throws modern sharpness standards out the window and embraces imperfection in an attempt to bring the charm of analog photography into the digital realm. But is it a retro treasure, or an over-hyped cheap optic?

I paired the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm with my Fujifilm X-T4 to see just how those retro claims hold up.

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Specifications

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Price & Availability

Available in several different mounts, the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm comes in variations for the Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z and L-Mount.

The lens is available directly from PolarPro and retails for $129.99 / £129.00 / AU$199. It is also available as part of a three-piece set for a slight discount compared to purchasing the 16mm, 28mm and 50mm lenses individually.

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Design & Handling

As the longest focal length in the LightLeak series, the 50mm is also the largest of the trio of lenses. The size reminds me of a lot of budget-friendly "nifty fifty" lenses, running just over two inches with slight variations on the different available mounts.

Considering the price of the lens, I was pleasantly surprised to find an aluminum-bronze-colored lens barrel. That design makes the lens slightly heavier than plastic-barreled optics, but not terribly hefty with a weight roughly between 215 and 240g / 7.5 to 8.5oz, depending on the lens mount.

The front of the lens is more black material than glass, which isn’t surprising for an f/11 aperture lens. But even this front material and the single control ring have a feel that belies the low price.

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The headlining feature on the lens is the LightLeak, a small window on the lens that intentionally lets in light to “ruin” an image with analog-like leaks.

This window is covered in plastic to help prevent dust from entering the lens. A ring around this window opens and closes, allowing creatives to shoot with or without a light leak. The opening on that ring can also rotate to change the direction of the light leak.

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Performance

The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is an f/11 budget lens that embraces the retro look and imperfections. The lens isn’t designed for pixel peeping, but rather for embracing imperfections and bringing a retro analog feature to digital cameras. And boy, does it deliver on that retro look.

With the unique window open, images take on a hazy patch of color reminiscent of an analog light leak. Those leaks assume the color of the ambient light. During the day, they have more cool tones. But when I used a color-changing LED by the window, I was able to get the warmer-toned effect I was after.

While I expected that light leak effect, I was surprised at how beautiful the lens flares on this lens are. When I directed this lens towards car headlights, it created some unique circular golden halos of flare. I love a bit of unique flare, and the LightLeak 50mm delivered just that.

I used a few different film simulations on my Fujifilm camera with this lens to embrace that retro look. The colors coming from this lens are less saturated and wash out even more with the LightLeak window open.

But I do think for the most retro look the lens is going to need either a good in-camera film simulation or analog-inspired presets during the editing process. Colors do at times wash over the edges, but the aberration feels less jarring because the lens isn’t as sharp.

As a retro lens, however, images coming from the LightLeak 50mm aren’t very sharp. This is true to that retro look, but I couldn’t help myself: when I zoomed in at 100%, the subject never looked in focus, at least by modern standards. This lens is definitely on the soft side, like shooting with a strong diffusion filter.

The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is a fixed focus lens, so there’s no autofocus motor to actually miss focus. Anything from about 1.5m away from the lens should be in that focus zone.

That does give the lens more ability to blur the foreground a bit, compared to the 23mm option in the series, although of course at f/11 the depth of field won’t be very strong.

I also found myself really loving the videos that I shot with the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm. The footage had a retro feel that stands out from modern, overly colored and overly sharp footage. The LightLeak effect also works with video, and if the light or the lens moves, the light leak will move across the footage too.

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Sample images

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PolarPro LightLeak 50mm: Verdict

The PolarPro LightLeak 50mm is for any photographer or videographer who feels like modern lenses lack soul. It is a charmingly imperfect lens that creates analog-like effects and fun flare, while tossing out modern standards on sharpness and saturation.

Pixel peepers should most certainly skip this lens. The LightLeak series isn’t designed with modern image quality standards in mind, creating a lens that’s soft with more washed-out colors.

Creators who want the retro look on digital, however, may very well fall in love with the PolarPro LightLeak 50mm. The aluminum build also gives the lens a far better feel than so-called body cap lenses, yet the price is still fairly reasonable as well.

PolarPro LightLeak 50mm Alternatives

PolarPro LightLeak 28mm: at BHPhoto

The LightLeak window is an unusual feature – but PolarPro also has 16mm and 28mm variants of this lens. The LightLeak 28mm is a more versatile focal length that can work for both portraits and wide shots. The LightLeak 16mm has more extreme edge softness along with the wider view. The 50mm is the longer option for portraits and comes with some more flexibility to create blurred foregrounds.

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LensBaby Omni Universal Expansion Pack: at BHPhoto

While I’m not aware of other made-for-digital lenses with that light leak feature, there are other tools and accessories for an old-school look. The LensBaby Omni has some color wands that create spots of color that remind me a bit of a light leak, which is a good option for photographers hesitant about that f/11 aperture.

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