1964 Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135 mm f/4
Fitting is an exacta mount - this lens will fit and achieve focus to infinity mirrorless cameras and on DSLRs.
Fitting is an exacta mount - this lens will fit and achieve focus to infinity mirrorless cameras and on DSLRs.
The Lens details of a series of images taken by Steve Cushing on mirrorless camera.
Fitting is a Exakta mount - this lens will fit and achieve focus to infinity mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.
Lens History
Carl Zeiss was born in Weimar on 11 September 1816. He built microscopes in Jena from 1846 onward.
The correct way to pronounce "Jenna" is to make it sound like "Yenna" in English.
This lens was designed as a portrait prime lens for 35 mm DSLR Exakta, Praktina system and M42 screw mount cameras.
The first version which I used here has a silver-coloured lens body. They are very cheap to buy on eBay. My lens has an 8 blade aperture some have only 6.
These lenses were designed as an interchangeable lens for 35mm rangefinder cameras. They became popular almost 90 years ago when Leitz introduced the Leica II and Zeiss introduced the Contax I. Both companies brought out full lines of lenses, and totally dominated the market for 35mm format cameras.
The Sonnar was designed by Ludwig Bertele. Ludwig Bertele worked first at Ernemann, and later Cal Zeiss from 1926. In my opinion, Bertele is nothing short of a genius. I think his lens designs were the leading technology of the time. This design also gives wonderful BOKEH (Click for more information)
However the philosophies of the two companies were very different.
Leitz designers believed that lenses should be highly corrected with small amounts of residual aberration whilst Zeiss designers placed more importance on producing a bright image with high contrast.
Zeiss started coating optics in 1936 to increase optical transmission. Coated and uncoated lenses were produced concurrently, this one is uncoated.
Sonnars render images differently due to their asymmetric design.
Lens In Use
The lens is very sensitive to front lighting exposure. A hood is helpful, but it is not capable of fully improving the situation.The second version of the lens features a coated front element. This modification can boast a new body design and smoother focus ring travel.
Today the majority (if not all) of these lenses have issues with grease hardening on aperture blades, which partially or completely immobilises the aperture. The lens was manufactured in the time of black-and-white photography, and when used on modern digital cameras it produces somewhat cold colours.
Fitting is a Exakta mount - this lens will fit and achieve focus to infinity mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.
Lens History
Carl Zeiss was born in Weimar on 11 September 1816. He built microscopes in Jena from 1846 onward.
The correct way to pronounce "Jenna" is to make it sound like "Yenna" in English.
This lens was designed as a portrait prime lens for 35 mm DSLR Exakta, Praktina system and M42 screw mount cameras.
The first version which I used here has a silver-coloured lens body. They are very cheap to buy on eBay. My lens has an 8 blade aperture some have only 6.
These lenses were designed as an interchangeable lens for 35mm rangefinder cameras. They became popular almost 90 years ago when Leitz introduced the Leica II and Zeiss introduced the Contax I. Both companies brought out full lines of lenses, and totally dominated the market for 35mm format cameras.
The Sonnar was designed by Ludwig Bertele. Ludwig Bertele worked first at Ernemann, and later Cal Zeiss from 1926. In my opinion, Bertele is nothing short of a genius. I think his lens designs were the leading technology of the time. This design also gives wonderful BOKEH (Click for more information)
However the philosophies of the two companies were very different.
Leitz designers believed that lenses should be highly corrected with small amounts of residual aberration whilst Zeiss designers placed more importance on producing a bright image with high contrast.
Zeiss started coating optics in 1936 to increase optical transmission. Coated and uncoated lenses were produced concurrently, this one is uncoated.
Sonnars render images differently due to their asymmetric design.
Lens In Use
- The lens features the focal length scale with centimetre marks (13.5 cm).
- The lens glass elements are not coated. The lens is in good condition as it is very solidly built.
The lens is very sensitive to front lighting exposure. A hood is helpful, but it is not capable of fully improving the situation.The second version of the lens features a coated front element. This modification can boast a new body design and smoother focus ring travel.
Today the majority (if not all) of these lenses have issues with grease hardening on aperture blades, which partially or completely immobilises the aperture. The lens was manufactured in the time of black-and-white photography, and when used on modern digital cameras it produces somewhat cold colours.
Summary
I am surprised at how cheap these lenses are on eBay. The quality is excellent and to have a piece of history in your camera bag for the price of a round of drinks is just unbelievable.
in short like all CZ lenses it’s a world-class lens.
For images using this lens click HERE
For general information on lens design and lens elements go to the homepage HERE