Carl Zeiss Jena lenses

[kubik]

On a few occasions, I have seen and heard of Carl Zeiss Jena lenses (from the former DDR). Some of these are available with the C/Y mount and regularly surface up on eBay, at seemingly bargain prices. Of particular notice are the CZJ Flektogon MC 20/2.8 and the Sonnar MC 180/2.8 (apparently based on the famed Olympia Sonnar... what a coincidence). Apart from their collectible value, how good are these East-German lenses? Does anyone have hands-on experience with these lenses? Are they worhty of the Carl Zeiss name?

G Couture

 

[John_bird]

Hi Guillaume
I think you will find that none of these were produced with C/Y mount but have instead been converted to C/Y from Pentacon or 42mm screw fitting. this normaly means that there is no automatic shut down of appature so you must stop down manualy prior to exposure, I am not sure this is 100% true but do check with seller prior to purchase. Optical performance of these lens can be very good. Early versions will only be single coated and don't expect the same flare performance as T*'s even from the later multi coated versions. Just out of interest ther is a man on ebay selling un-used last production 300mm f4 tele tessars for around £80.
Hope this is of some help John

 

[writing4me]

John, Would you email me privately and let me know the ebay name of the man selling these lenses? I need something relatively inexpensive for the short term in the 300-400mm range in C/Y mount, and this might fill a gap. I presently have a 100-300 f5.6 yashica that I just do not like one little bit. It is so dark and so extremely soft that it's useless to me. (Great paper weight) I wanted something to use on the birds in my yard for my own personal enjoyment. So, if it isn't as good of a lens as the $XXXX counterpart present day Zeiss, I'll live with that until I can justify buying something better in this focal length. You can reach me at Lynn@turnkeydesign.net Thanks! -Lynn

 

[coyot]

>I have a Sigma (or Tamron??) 400 mm in a CY mount that I would let go for 150.00 U.S. The quality is good, but not great!

Michael Hahn.

 

[craignorris]

Before I became a Contax user, I had a Minolta X-700. I accumulated a collection of second-hand lenses for it, my favourite being a Carl Zeiss Jena 75-300 f4.5-5.6 macro. It was a gorgeous lens. It made beautifully sharp and contrasty photos at all focal lengths. It was my favourite portrait lens. I regret losing that lens when I sold all my Minolta gear in favour of Contax bodies. That lens was better than my VS 80-200 f4. I really miss it. I only paid 80 UK pounds for it in a second hand camera shop in England.

So in my experience with that one lens, I'd have no hesitation to buy another Carl Zeiss Jena lens. They are a bargain.

 

[writing4me]

Hi Michael, Thanks for the kind offer. Unfortunately, I'm biased against Tamron rather strongly. Have hated every image I've ever made with their stuff (used a lot of it on a Tamron outting on day) Sigma isn't that bad really for color and contrast really, but one of their lower-end lenses nearly fell apart in my hands and I'm slightly biased against them as well. Thanks anyway though. Wouldn't turn my nose up if you had the Tokina 400 though!

-Lynn

 

[writing4me]

> Hi Craig, I had a look through Ebay for the lens you mentioned and the one John mentioned but came up empty. Do you have any idea if they still come up on Ebay? Or, where else to look for these in C/Y mount? Thanks, Lynn PS: I'm in SE Wisconsin, US, if that matters.

QUOTING: Craig Norris on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 8:35 pm: > > Before I became a Contax user, I had a Minolta X-700. I accumulated a > collection of second-hand lenses for it, my favourite being a Carl > Zeiss Jena 75-300 f4.5-5.6 macro. It was a gorgeous lens. It made > beautifully sharp and contrasty photos at all focal lengths. It was my > favourite portrait lens. I regret losing that lens when I sold all my > Minolta gear in favour of Contax bodies. That lens was better than my > VS 80-200 f4. I really miss it. I only paid 80 UK pounds for it in a > second hand camera shop in England. > > So in my experience with that one lens, I'd have no hesitation to buy > another Carl Zeiss Jena lens. They are a bargain.

 

[craignorris]

Hi Lyn. The only place I've ever seen the Jena zoom lenses is in England, usually in out-of-the-way second hand camera stores. In Hong Kong, where I live, I often see Jena fixed focal length lenses in the second hand shops. I saw a 35mm F2.8 Jena lens for M42 screw mount a couple of weeks ago, going for only US$80. I've never seen a Jena lens for C/Y mount. Sorry.

 

[bunthorpe]

On eBay I purchased two old Jena zooms converted to Canon Fd mount (each for around $120),and IMHO, found them to be very sharp, though a little awkward for me to use. Occasionally they turn up, in FD or , I vaguely recall, also in C/Y mount. Another sold in FD mount just 10 days ago, for a similar price. There was no need to stop down.If you are not in a hurry you may find a bargain.You may want to search using a variety of variables.

 

[tbc]

>RE: Carl Zeiss Jena lenses. > I have seen and heard of Carl Zeiss Jena lenses > (from the former DDR). Some of these are available with the C/Y > mount and regularly surface up on eBay, at seemingly bargain prices. Of > particular notice are the CZJ Flektogon MC 20/2.8 and the Sonnar MC > 180/2.8 (apparently based on the famed Olympia Sonnar... what a > coincidence).

I read in a book published in the '70's that a pro liked the quality of the 20 2.8 Flektogon, but it's reliability was dubious. He had several, so that he would have a user when the other(s) were being repaired. I think at one time, some Japanese made zoom lenses were marketed under the Carl Zeiss Jena name. Sold only in eastern europe, I believe. But now, with e-bay and such, they may turn up.