In the vast world of vintage glass, some lenses are known for their clinical sharpness, while others are cherished for their unique character. The Fuji Photo Film FUJINON 55mm F/2.2, first introduced in 1975, falls squarely into the second category. This isn’t a lens you buy for technical perfection; you buy it for one explosive reason: bubble bokeh.

I recently rediscovered this lens on my shelf and was reminded of its wild, unpredictable charm. If you’re a photographer who hunts for the most dramatic and interesting out-of-focus backgrounds, then this forgotten gem might just be your new favorite tool.

Weighing in at a feather-light 150g, the Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 is a mix of plastic and metal. While it doesn’t have the tank-like feel of some of its contemporaries, the build quality is perfectly functional and feels surprisingly nice in use.

Here are a few key characteristics:

• Mount: It primarily comes in the highly adaptable M42 mount. Be aware that a later 1979 model used the old Fujica X mount, which is not compatible with the modern Fuji X-mount system without a specific adapter.
• Filter Thread: It uses a standard 49mm screw-in filter thread.
• Ergonomics: The focus ring is a bit small, but the focusing action on my copy is smooth and pleasant. One major quirk to get used to is the focus direction—infinity is on the left side of the barrel, with close focus on the right, the opposite of many other M42 lenses.

Let’s be clear: the number one reason to own this lens is for its bokeh. It doesn’t just create bokeh; it creates an explosion of perfectly defined, hard-edged bubbles. I’ve started calling it a “bubble bomb” because even in scenes where you expect a smooth background, this lens finds a way to render countless specular highlights as distinct bubbles.

This is a love-it-or-hate-it characteristic.

• If you love bubble bokeh, this lens is a dream come true. It’s an effect that can turn a mundane background into a sparkling, dynamic part of your composition.
• If you dislike bubble bokeh, this is absolutely not the lens for you.

Even when you stop the aperture down, the lens’s character shines through. Thanks to its 5-bladed aperture, the bokeh balls take on a distinct pentagon shape, adding another layer of geometric interest to your shots.

Optically, the Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 is a fascinating contradiction. When shooting wide open, the overall image is very soft, with a dreamy glow around high-contrast edges. It’s a classic vintage look that can be beautiful for portraits or atmospheric shots.

However, calling it “soft” isn’t the full story. While the majority of the image is soft, the actual plane of focus can be incredibly sharp. I noticed this in a photo of a Calla lily; the flower as a whole looked soft, but zooming in to 100% revealed that the interior of the blossom was perfectly crisp and detailed. This unique combination allows you to have a sharp subject that seems to float in a dreamy, soft-focus world.

As a lightweight and compact lens, the Fujinon 55mm f/2.2 is an excellent choice for a walk-around lens. The joy of using a fully mechanical, manual focus lens is a tactile experience that never gets old.

For practical use, I’d recommend it for:

• Creative Portraits: The bubble bokeh can create a stunning, high-energy background that makes your subject pop.
• Nature & Floral Photography: The lens can transform foliage and light into a magical, sparkling backdrop.

Keep in mind that, like many lenses from this era, the images can benefit from some post-processing. A little bit of added contrast or dehazing in your editing software will really make the photos shine.

The FUJINON 55mm F/2.2 is a lens I bought and promptly forgot I owned. Rediscovering it has been a genuine delight. While it may not win any awards for clinical sharpness, its personality is off the charts.

It’s a strong competitor to other famous bubble bokeh lenses like the Pentacon Auto 50mm F1.8. While the Pentacon has long been my go-to, this Fujinon has certainly earned its place right next to it in my collection. It’s a “bubble bomb” with a charmingly weird soft-sharpness and a look all its own. If that sounds like fun, you won’t regret hunting one down.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a lens of contradictions. Its features can be annoying, its body is plastic, and its autofocus has quirks. But its optical performance is simply fantastic. It delivers sharp, beautiful images and incredibly stable video in a lightweight package.

In a world of countless 70-300mm lenses, Canon created something special with this one. It’s a true “Plastic Fantastic” and a worthy final entry in the legendary EF lineup.