Retropia
This lens delivers a guaranteed soft-focus, film-like aesthetic straight out of camera thanks to its repurposed disposable camera optics and fixed f/11 aperture, eliminating post-processing for a vintage look. Its sustainable design uses recycled lenses in a compact pancake form factor, though it is strictly limited to Canon EF/EF-S DSLR bodies and incompatible with any mirrorless system. This is best for content creators using older Canon DSLRs who prioritize an instant, imperfect retro style over sharpness and need a dedicated effect lens for portraits.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd
Cons
- Below average social proof (8th percentile)
- Below average macro (14th percentile)
- Below average optical (21st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 45 |
| Focal Length Max | 45 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/11 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF, Canon EF-S |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Retropia | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 | Yongnuo YN12-35mm F2.8-4M | Altura Photo NIKKOR YZ0308 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 45mm | 28-75mm | 16-50mm | 20-60mm | 12-35mm | - |
| Max Aperture | f/11 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF, Canon EF-S | Sony E | Nikon Z | L-Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 55mm front filter thread |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | - | 540 | 135 | 350 | 318 | 320 |
| AF Type | - | VXD | Stepping Motor | stepping motor | STM stepping motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retropia | 53.8 | 42.4 | 34.3 | 13.5 | 20.9 | 50.3 | 33.3 | 7.8 | 83.4 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 53.8 | 87.2 | 70.2 | 86.9 | 88.8 | 84.4 | 77.9 | 85.3 | 37.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 87.4 | 75.6 | 92.5 | 44.2 | 73.8 | 77.7 | 82.9 | 77.2 | 95.3 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 Compare | 87.4 | 85.3 | 82.5 | 66.8 | 78.3 | 77.7 | 81.4 | 69.4 | 37.8 |
| Yongnuo YN12-35mm F2.8-4M Compare | 87.4 | 82 | 84.8 | 56.7 | 92.8 | 84.4 | 80 | 35.5 | 83.4 |
| Altura Photo NIKKOR YZ0308 Compare | 87.4 | 75.6 | 73.7 | 96.2 | 45.1 | 77.7 | 33.3 | 72 | 83.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$129
We started tracking prices for this product on Jul 21, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
