Carl Zeiss Jena Topogon 25mm f4 on Nikon Rangefinders

[Alpsman]

Subject: Carl Zeiss Jena Topogon Red T 1:4 f=25mm on Nikon Rangefinder.

Theoretically this lens should fit and work on the Nikon Rangefinders.
But does it practically do?

As far as I know, there only a few restrictions of some models of the Zeiss 35mm Biogon because of a to large or to long rear tube.
But the 35mm Biogon is not the subject.

Before I threw my money to far out of the window, I'd like to get some field experiences from users.
Greetings from Austria: Dieter

 

[CameraQuest]

The 25 Topogon is such a rare lens that few people have real experience with it.

That situation is Ironically worse with most Zeiss Nuts having little interest mounting the Topogon on non Zeiss cameras.

If you want the best 25mm NRF shooter, get the much later Voigtlander 25/4.

Better yet sacrifice your retirement plans buying the Topogon and let us know how it works out 🙂

 

[Alpsman]

The 25 Topogon is such a rare lens that few people have real experience with it.

That situation is Ironically worse with most Zeiss Nuts having little interest mounting the Topogon on non Zeiss cameras.

If you want the best 25mm NRF shooter, get the much later Voigtlander 25/4.

Better yet sacrifice your retirement plans buying the Topogon and let us know how it works out 🙂

Thanx for yer reply!

Before I placed my question here, I browsed a lot of pages on the net.
Afterwards also.
I found a few webpages from Japan and Korea.
Also I phoned the dealer and he was so kind to try it on one of his Nikon Rangefinders. It fits.
So I shut down my brain and hit the "buy me" button. 😵‍💫
I am soo weak. 😭

And because of your hint because of the Voigtländer 25mm - to late, I've already have one.

By the way, your webpage ist the reason why meanwhile I've bought all the Voigtländer lenses from 12 to 35 mm. Before I did not even know that these lenses exist. Thanks a lot.

Greetings from 🇦🇹

 

[CameraQuest]

Glad to have been of help!

Vienna? Where did you find the Topogon ?

 

[Alpsman]

Glad to have been of help!

Vienna? Where did you find the Topogon ?

Jo Geier, mint and rare.
But to late, it's mine 😛

A few more can still be found on ebay from German dealers.

 

[Timmyjoe]

@Alpsman what is your review of the Voigtlander 25mm f4 Nikon S mount lens? How have you liked it? What do you think of it's rendering?

Best,
-Tim

 

[Alpsman]

@Alpsman what is your review of the Voigtlander 25mm f4 Nikon S mount lens? How have you liked it? What do you think of it's rendering?

Best,
-Tim

Hi Tim!

Well, I dont "test" my lenses unter scientific Laboratory conditions, no brickwalls, Siemens stars, etc. I just use them and only with black&white film.
Anyway.

There are not to many options for 25mm on a Nikon Rangefinder. As far as known to me are the Voigtländer, the Zeiss Topogon and the Nikkor.
Our dealer have a Nikkor 25mm f4, complete set, makers box, round leather case, finder, lens shade, etc etc in "near mint" condition.
And if he writes "near mint" you can depend on it (he has a reputation to lose), for a price I dont dare to note here.

I use this 25mm primarily to document the architecture of my ~900 year old hometown. No birds, dogs, sunsets, etc.

Mechanically it seems to me (as a traded metal worker) well made. It mounts on the outer bayonet without jamming, scratching or squeaking. Not to tight, not to loose.

Focusing via the small focusing wheel with the same resistance as the 50mm/1,4 Nikkor.

Ya can set the aperture rim while holding the focus wheel on the camera. Otherwise, the focus rim and the aperture rim are a little close together. no surprise by a short built lens like this. Aperture rim goes light but not to light, clicks softly at half stops.

I never looked for distortion but seems to be low - at least I never mentioned some. I also never looked for vignetting, microcontrast, color rendering, edge sharpness, and so on.
I just use it like a - tool.

Would I buy it again?
What options do I have?
For me, 25mm is a nice in between 35mm and 21mm and thus a very useable focal length for my purposes.

Greetings from 🇦🇹

 

[bucs]

I’m a bit more wary with some older Voigtlander lenses as some of them develop haze over time. Such a shame because they were of good value.

 

[Alpsman]

I’m a bit more wary with some older Voigtlander lenses as some of them develop haze over time. Such a shame because they were of good value.

At least mine are neither hazy nor affected by fungus.

 

[Duofold RF]

The Nikkor 25mm f/4 used to be much cheaper than the Zeiss Topogon. When the Voigtländer 25mm f/4 was discontinued, it could still be found for only $200–300.

 

[das]

Yes, why wouldn't it work for Nikon RFs? I've given up on the 25mm f/4 Nikon or CZJ Topogons as they have become hopelessly expensive collectors items. But the Canon 25mm f/3.5 Topogon is still relatively cheap and is a pretty phenomenal lens at least for the time (although only in M39). From what I've seen the Canon is a better performer than either the Nikon or CZJ Topogons, seeming to have substantially less fall off.

 

[Alpsman]

Yes, why wouldn't it work for Nikon RFs?

Wasn't quite sure, because some models of the 35mm Biogon seems to have problems with the diameter or the length of the rear tube.
But meanwhile I knew better.

I've given up on the 25mm f/4 Nikon or CZJ Topogons as they have become hopelessly expensive collectors items.

You only live once ;-)

But the Canon 25mm f/3.5 Topogon is still relatively cheap and is a pretty phenomenal lens at least for the time (although only in M39). From what I've seen the Canon is a better performer than either the Nikon or CZJ Topogons, seeming to have substantially less fall off.

I have no cam with a 39mm thread and I dont want to start with another system. Also a little falloff wont reduce the information content of my pix.

 

[Valkir1987]

This lens was designed for cartographic purposes. It shares similarities with the Goerz Hypergon. Symmetric design with almost zero field distortion. But only usable at very small apertures for two blue and green wavelenghts due to lots of other abberations.
Very interesting to see it in Contax mount. It would be worth trying it on Orthochromatic film with a yellow filter, stopped down to f11 or f16.