Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm F4 aperture blades

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I was out recently with my Contax IIA and Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm F4 when I noticed the aperture blades began to seize up, probably due to oil on the blades.

I decided to dismantle it seeing that a CLA cost probably far exceeds the value of the lens. After removing all the glass elements I can reach the aperture blades from both sides but I need to be able to reset all the blades in their slots.

There's no obvious way to further dismantle the lens and separate the aperture mechanism from the barrel. Does anyone have any tips or resources that could help?

 

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Problem solved! I didn't dismantle the lens further, but with careful manipulation of the aperture blades with an old dental tool I was able to slot the loose ones back into their positions. After cleaning the blades as much as I could I cleaned the glass elements and reassembled the lens. Phew.

 

[davidswiss]

Problem solved! I didn't dismantle the lens further, but with careful manipulation of the aperture blades with an old dental tool I was able to slot the loose ones back into their positions. After cleaning the blades as much as I could I cleaned the glass elements and reassembled the lens. Phew.

I recently saw one of these for sale and after reading the info on the "lens compendium" thread wondered what sort of pictures they produce. Do you have any examples ?

 

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I recently saw one of these for sale and after reading the info on the "lens compendium" thread wondered what sort of pictures they produce. Do you have any examples ?

I do have a couple of examples, I'll post them below. I havent used it all that much, 135mm is a longer focal length than I tend to prefer. The lens is super sharp, it has an outstanding reputation according to the Cameraquest site: Zeiss Contax IIa IIIa

 

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Runner by Hugh B, on Flickr

Contax IIa, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4 1/250th f8

 

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Pylons by Hugh B, on Flickr

Contax IIa, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4 1/250th f11, Ilford FP4 125

 

[davidswiss]

Thanks Hugh. Like you I don't often feel the need for a long lens and the weight issue, especially with a contax IIa, could prove a difficulty.
It's just that they don't appear very often and have a good reputation.
I wonder if they are used that often, hence the original question.

 

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I recently saw one of these for sale and after reading the info on the "lens compendium" thread wondered what sort of pictures they produce. Do you have any examples ?

David I wouldn't say my 135mm lens is particularly heavy, it balances the camera nicely in the hand.

Would you mind posting a link to the lens compendium thread?

 

[davidswiss]

Of course:

TenEleven's Zeiss Contax (I, II, IIa) Lens Compendium

This was a great thread. Good to see it pop up again. ...I suspect I may need to have the Biogon cleaned- I do see some flare issues. I could see the Biogon becoming one of my most used lenses. I was mistaken. The lens is very clean (I just showed it to my repair guy also, and he concurred)...

rangefinderforum.com

 

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Of course:

TenEleven's Zeiss Contax (I, II, IIa) Lens Compendium

This was a great thread. Good to see it pop up again. ...I suspect I may need to have the Biogon cleaned- I do see some flare issues. I could see the Biogon becoming one of my most used lenses. I was mistaken. The lens is very clean (I just showed it to my repair guy also, and he concurred)...

rangefinderforum.com

Thanks David, I have read that thread in the past and now it's saved to my favourites.

I'll post a couple more shots I have from the Sonnar 135mm

 

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Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4 1/500 f11

 

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Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4 1/250 f8

 

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Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4 1/250 f8

 

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And here's the lens / camera combination on that trip.

 

[davidswiss]

Two questions, Hugh.
Is it an original zeiss lens hood ?
Is it easy to focus hand held ?

 

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Two questions, Hugh.
Is it an original zeiss lens hood ?
Is it easy to focus hand held ?

Hi David,

It's an original Zeiss hood, it may be one for the 85mm f4 Triotar I have, I can't recall.

Yes it's very easy to focus hand held, mine is very smooth. Just need to remember to use faster shutter speeds to avoid camera shake with the tele, so the depth of field tends to be quite narrow (e.g. in the fence photo above).

I enjoy this lens, the focal length is a novelty so it makes for a new challenge and new way to compose and frame photos. I'm impressed with the quality of the pictures, resolution, etc. I like using the torpedo finder too, a good excuse to acquire one if you don't have it already.