Räuber
Well-known
I have a similar question as in the Sonnar 5cm f/1,5 thread here.
This table shows the weight of all West German Sonnars 50mm f2 I could measure. It is easy to see that the regular weight of a 2/50 is about 135 gr - 141 gr. But the very first silver rim Sonnar that I posses is very light with 120gr. Is this one regular or an exception? If someone owns a silver nose Sonnar 50mm f2 could you please put it on a scale and tell me the serial and the weight? Thank you guys.
This table shows the weight of all West German Sonnars 50mm f2 I could measure. It is easy to see that the regular weight of a 2/50 is about 135 gr - 141 gr. But the very first silver rim Sonnar that I posses is very light with 120gr. Is this one regular or an exception? If someone owns a silver nose Sonnar 50mm f2 could you please put it on a scale and tell me the serial and the weight? Thank you guys.
sn 688521, 139g- within margin of your 140g lens. Silver nose, Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 1:2 f=50mm T.
M.tala
Newbie
Thank you for all the great information and the effort you put into organizing the lenses on your blog. I have a Sonnar 50mm f/2, but I’m not sure if I found it in the list with the same characteristics.
I also have a 135mm lens that’s quite heavy and seems a bit different—possibly a Sonnar as well. If you happen to have any info on that one too, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks again for your help!
I also have a 135mm lens that’s quite heavy and seems a bit different—possibly a Sonnar as well. If you happen to have any info on that one too, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks again for your help!
Attachments
M.tala
Newbie
Actually, checking the list again, I was able to find it in the 1935–1940 line.
Thanks again
Räuber
Well-known
Yes, it is in the list: v3b ZJ CR cc
It is a collapsible Sonnar with heavy Chrome finish. It was designed to match with the heavy Chrome Contax II or Contax III. It was a one of the favorite lenses of the 30ies and in combination with your Sonnar 13,5cm f4 it was a very desirable kit since you got a normal lens and a tele lens. Other than today there was not a whole lot of choices of different focal length lenses. If I'm not wrong there might only be 3 other lenses wider than 50mm for the Contax range finder cameras. The Tessar 8 / 2,8cm, the Biogon 2,8 / 3,5cm and the Biotar 2 / 4cm at least at this time. And although Zeiss pumped out 4 different lenses in the 5cm range the goto lens for most photographers was the Sonnar 5cm f/2. The reason was the optical quality and the usable wide aperture of f2. Only those with more money on the bank or in need for more light opted for the Sonnar 5cm f/1,5. The combination Sonnar 5cm f/2 and 13,5cm f/4 was popular with photo journalists too. The 13,5cm was very versatile outside and the small 5cm came in handy inside of buildings.
It is a collapsible Sonnar with heavy Chrome finish. It was designed to match with the heavy Chrome Contax II or Contax III. It was a one of the favorite lenses of the 30ies and in combination with your Sonnar 13,5cm f4 it was a very desirable kit since you got a normal lens and a tele lens. Other than today there was not a whole lot of choices of different focal length lenses. If I'm not wrong there might only be 3 other lenses wider than 50mm for the Contax range finder cameras. The Tessar 8 / 2,8cm, the Biogon 2,8 / 3,5cm and the Biotar 2 / 4cm at least at this time. And although Zeiss pumped out 4 different lenses in the 5cm range the goto lens for most photographers was the Sonnar 5cm f/2. The reason was the optical quality and the usable wide aperture of f2. Only those with more money on the bank or in need for more light opted for the Sonnar 5cm f/1,5. The combination Sonnar 5cm f/2 and 13,5cm f/4 was popular with photo journalists too. The 13,5cm was very versatile outside and the small 5cm came in handy inside of buildings.
M.tala
Newbie
Thank you, that’s very helpful. Appreciate you taking the time to explain the history behind this lens.
Here’s the set I have—it’s strange how expensive this camera was in 1944, especially considering the minimum wage at the time.
Räuber
Well-known
Yes, the Contax alone was already very expensive even in Germany. The Sonnar on top is a very expensive lens even by todays standards. You have to understand that a Sonnar consists of 2 groups of glued lenses. We talk about triplets so 3 lenses that are glued / cemented together. To achieve the best quality the craftsmen had to grind the glass very precise and cement everything together in a very precise manner. Look up a diagram of any Sonnar and look at the one of those triplets and imagine how long you would need to grind and assemble one of those lens elements. In comparison the Tessar consists of 3 (!) single lenses that are not cemented in any way. Grinding and manufacturing a Tessar or most Biotars (and all its siblings) is easy and cheap in comparison. Grinding and manufacturing was mainly done by hand. So the high price tag was earned for the Sonnar in this time. The small Sonnar 5cm f/2 comes with 6 lenses in a 1-3-2 (1 front lens, 3 glass lens element, 2 glass lens element at the rear) configuration in comparison to the Sonnar 5cm f/1,5 with 7 lenses in a 1-3-3 configuration. The rear element of 2 lenses compared to 3 lenses made the f2 Sonnar much cheaper and faster in production.
I have another interesting (and sad) story about those kits of Contax cameras and lenses. After the Nazis took over Germany live for all Jews got worse day by day. Some of them managed to emigrate and leave Germany. From a certain point in history they where not allowed to take any money and all their properties with them. So they bought a Contax camera with all accessoires and lenses they could get hold of. When arriving at their new destination (for example the US) they sold the camera with all the lenses to get some of the money back and start a new live. So a lot of those kits came that way to the US and to other countries.
I have another interesting (and sad) story about those kits of Contax cameras and lenses. After the Nazis took over Germany live for all Jews got worse day by day. Some of them managed to emigrate and leave Germany. From a certain point in history they where not allowed to take any money and all their properties with them. So they bought a Contax camera with all accessoires and lenses they could get hold of. When arriving at their new destination (for example the US) they sold the camera with all the lenses to get some of the money back and start a new live. So a lot of those kits came that way to the US and to other countries.
