List of Sonnar Lenses

[Hacker]

I'm trying to compile a list of LTM/M-mount Sonnar lenses (and earlier Ernostar lenses), and I'm hoping the more learned ones can help. This is what I have so far.

"The Sonnar is a photographic lens design, invented by Dr. Ludwig Bertele in 1924 and originally patented by Carl Zeiss, notable for its relatively light weight, simple design and fast aperture. The name "Sonnar" is derived from the German word "Sonne", meaning sun. It was given this name because its large aperture (f/2.0) made it considerably brighter than many other lenses available at the time."

Source: : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonnar

Sonnars were made in all focal lengths from 40-250mm, where compact size was also important - primarily as rangefinder camera lenses. Sonnar-types with about 50mm focal length were made by Carl Zeiss Jena with f/1.5 and f/2.0, after WWII by Zeiss-Opton/ Oberkochen as well, up to f/1.4 (prototypes), Steinheil (Quinon-I 2.0) u.a., in Japan by Nippon Kogaku/ Nikon (1.5, 1.4), Seiki Kogaku/ Canon (1.5), Zunow (1.3, 1.1) and Asahi-Optical/ Pentax (2.0).

As the owner of the trademark "Sonnar" uses the term for a whole series of lenses, including some pretty clear Gaussian types like the ZM 2.0/85 for the Zeiss-Ikon RF camera, it's hard to define what makes a Sonnar in a clear optical sense. With regards to design history a Sonnar-type is a triplet derivated, high speed objective consisting of a small number of optical groups (preferable two) and at least one cemented group of three elements.

Source: http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Biotar_en.html

Please post your pictures of the lens and pictures taken by the lenses!

Info can be found here also http://www.antiquecameras.net/sonnarlens.html

1) Zunow 5cm f/1.1 ...........................$6000
2) MS Optical Sonnetar 50mm f/1.1 MC...........................$1100
3) MS Optical 50mm f/1.3 ...........................$1100
4) Zunow 5cm f/1.3 ...........................$6000
5) Nikkor 5cm f/1.4 ...........................$450
6) Nikkor 5cm f/1.5 ...........................$2000
7) Canon 50mm f/1.5 ...........................$450
8) Jupiter 3 50mm f/1.5 .................... $135
9) Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 M-mount ...........................$900
10) Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 LTM ...........................$1000
11) Zeiss 5.8cm f/1.5 ...........................$1000
12) Zeiss 6cm f/1.5 ...........................$1000
13) Nikkor 8.5cm f/1.5 ...........................$950
14) Nikkor 5cm f/2 ........................ $300
15) Steinheil Quinon 50/2 ...........................$650
16) Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 5cm f/1.5 ...................... $2000
17) Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 5cm f/1.8 ...................... $1500
18) Zeiss 5cm f/2 LTM ...........................$750
19) Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 ...................... $50
20) Jupiter 17 50mm /f2 ...................... $50
21) Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 5cm f/2 ...................... $350
22) Misuzu Kogaku Altair/Altanon 5cm f/2 (Tanar clone) ...................... $350
23) Nikkor 8.5cm f/2 (Black costs more)...........................$300 (Chrome)/$1050 (Black)
24) Zeiss 8.5cm f/2 LTM ...........................$1050
25) Zeiss ZM 85mm Sonnar f/2 ...........................$2650
26) Jupiter 9 85mm f/2 ..................... $100
27) Nikkor 10.5cm /2.5 ............................... $300
28) Ernostar 40mm f/2.8
29) Rollei 40mm f/2.8 ...........................$600
30) M-Hexanon 90mm f/2.8 ...........................$450
31) Contax G 90mm f/2.8 (M-mount conversion) ...........................$685
32) Nikkor 13.5cm f/3.5 ............................ $150
33) Zeiss 7.5cm f/4 ............................ $625
34) Carl Zeiss Jena 13.5cm f/4 T Sonnar ............................ $500
35) Nikkor 13.5cm f/4 ............................ $800
36) Jupiter 11 135mm f/4 ............................ $75

 

[bennyng]

Checking off the lenses in your collection again? 😀

Cheers,

 

[laptoprob]

Steinheil Quinon 50/2

 

[dexdog]

The 135/4 lens for the Contax was a Sonnar, but the prescription is different then the shorter focal lengths. I think that it is called a J-11 in FSU manufacture, available in LTM.

Also, the rare Olympia Sonnar, 180/2.8. Not sure if this was ever available in LTM, though

 

[laptoprob]

Konica's 90/2,8 for the Hexar also seems to be a Sonnar.

 

[ferider]

The Hex 90/2.8 is an Ernostar, very similar signature. But then modern Zeiss "Sonnars", like the Contax-G 90/2.8 (can be modified to M mount) and Hasselblad 150mm Sonnar are Ernostars, too.

The Nikkor 135/3.5 is a Sonnar. So is the 85/1.5, I believe.

And then, of course, there is the ZM 50/1.5. The new ZM 85/2, even though labeled as Sonnar by Zeiss is a true double-Gauss design.

Simlar 50/1.5 is a Sonnar, too ? Brian would know.

Best,

Roland.

 

[furcafe]

IIRC, the 90/2.8 Hexanon, like the 90/2.8 "Sonnar" for Kyocera Contax G, is technically an Ernostar (precursor design to the Sonnar, most famously seen on the Ermanox, but not identical).

Konica's 90/2,8 for the Hexar also seems to be a Sonnar.

 

[Hacker]

1) Zunow 5cm f/1.1
2) MS Optical 50mm f/1.3
3) Nikkor 5cm f/1.4
4) Nikkor 5cm f/1.5
5) Canon 5cm f/1.5
6) Jupiter 3 50mm f/1.5
7) Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 M-mount
8) Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 LTM
9) Simlar 50mm f/1.5
10) Zeiss 6cm f/1.5
11) Nikkor 8.5cm f/1.5
12) Nikkor 5cm f/2
13) Steinheil Quinon 50/2
14) Jupiter 8 50mm f/2
15) Nikkor 8.5cm f/2
16) Zeiss 8.5cm f/2 LTM
17) Zeiss 85mm Sonnar f/2
18) Jupiter 9 85mm f/2
19) Nikkor 10.5cm /2.5
20) Rollei 40mm f/2.8
21) Nikkor 135/3.5
22) J-11 135mm f/4

 

[Hacker]

Thanks, it seems more confusing than ever. I guess the modern ZM lenses just used the Sonnar designation for marketing then...or was it for improvements. SO confusing.....

 

[furcafe]

True. Also, it is my understanding (I think I was originally told this by Peter Evans on the photo.net Leica Forum) that the Tokyo Optical 5cm/1.5 Simlar is not a Sonnar, but rather a unique symmetrical design in the same vein as the original Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=854976

Thanks, it seems more confusing than ever. I guess the modern ZM lenses just used the Sonnar designation for marketing then...or was it for improvements. SO confusing.....

 

[raid]

Isn't the Nikkor 5cm 2.0 also a Sonnar?

 

[furcafe]

It's #12 on his list.

Isn't the Nikkor 5cm 2.0 also a Sonnar?

 

[raid]

Oops. Yes, you are right. I saw the 50 1.5 and 50 1.4 ...

 

[Hacker]

I believe that the Fujinon 50mm f/2 is a hybrid, the front is a Sonnar while the back is a Planar. Info on the Fujinon lenses are so scarce.

 

[Hacker]

If given the choice of only one Sonnar, which would you choose:

1) Nikkor 5cm f/1.5
2) Canon 5cm f/1.5
3) Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 LTM
4) Zeiss 6cm f/1.5 LTM

 

[dexdog]

the canon, no question

 

[ferider]

An early Nikkor 50/1.4 (first batch including 5005xxx) modified for .7m close focus. 🙂

 

[rover]

If given the choice of only one Sonnar, which would you choose:

1) Nikkor 5cm f/1.5
2) Canon 5cm f/1.5
3) Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 LTM
4) Zeiss 6cm f/1.5 LTM

The Canon, or Nikkor 50/2 which did not make our list.

 

[crawdiddy]

I suppose it's implicit that you are excluding Leica lenses, for the sake of this discussion, but why?

 

[monochromejrnl]

the canon, no question

ditto - my favourite LTM lens, excellent build quality, optical signature is classic sonnar and with the exception of the FSU lenses, the least expensive 50mm 1.4/1.5 sonnar