35mm 2.8 Carl Zeiss Jena Screwmount Lens
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erikhaugsby
killer of threads
It looks to be an early Jupiter 12 (link 1 link 2) made in the FSU but modified to appear as a CZJ lens. The crude engravings and big red triangle are dead giveaways as to its origin.
This happens frequently. It doesn't make it a bad lens, as the design is a direct copy of a Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon, but it wasn't manufactured by Zeiss.
This happens frequently. It doesn't make it a bad lens, as the design is a direct copy of a Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon, but it wasn't manufactured by Zeiss.
Elmar Lang
Well-known
I agree, it's a Jupiter-12.
The protruding rear lens in an original CZJ Sonnar is enclosed in a cylindrical metal sleeve, while almost all the ex-USSR ones has the glass block simply lacquered in black.
Erik correctly pointed out the crude engravings.
I hope that this lens wouldn't have been paid as the real one: original CZJ lenses with Leica 39x1 Mount are quite rare and sought after.
Best wishes,
E.L.
The protruding rear lens in an original CZJ Sonnar is enclosed in a cylindrical metal sleeve, while almost all the ex-USSR ones has the glass block simply lacquered in black.
Erik correctly pointed out the crude engravings.
I hope that this lens wouldn't have been paid as the real one: original CZJ lenses with Leica 39x1 Mount are quite rare and sought after.
Best wishes,
E.L.
35photo
Well-known
Thanks for you help! I've had this lens forever really. It came with with all my dad's cameras.. and I haven't been able to figure out what it is..
S.H.
Picture taker
Looking at those pictures I would not be so sure...
Does it have a serial number stamped on the rear? Small 'M' or big 'm' on the distance scale? Big screw on the side of the barrel? Because like some other lenses, it could well be a Contax mount lens, remounted in LTM, by Zeiss or any other workshop in the late 1940s. The barrel shape and engraving do not completely look like a Jupiter 12. The s/n indicates a 1938 lens in Contax mount anyway.
The blanket statement "fake" used to qualify a Zeiss lens of the 1940s is often extreme.
Does it have a serial number stamped on the rear? Small 'M' or big 'm' on the distance scale? Big screw on the side of the barrel? Because like some other lenses, it could well be a Contax mount lens, remounted in LTM, by Zeiss or any other workshop in the late 1940s. The barrel shape and engraving do not completely look like a Jupiter 12. The s/n indicates a 1938 lens in Contax mount anyway.
The blanket statement "fake" used to qualify a Zeiss lens of the 1940s is often extreme.
photovdz
Well-known
I agree with SH
The main clue would be the serial number that should be engraved on the rear barrel (last numbers must match with front)...
as for the other clues, a lot of contax versions have been modified during and after the war, at zeiss or around zeiss.
Also there is something with the serial number, if it's coated it would be a very early coated one ... early coated T lenses were usually under military embargo (until 41 ?)
so you have two things to check :
1st, put it on screwmount leica at have a roll... if the lens is ok, it's perfect as it is a very good lens...
2d check the serial number on the rear block... if there is one, it's genuine zeiss glass... bingo...
anyway... use it or send it to me and I'll use it for you.
The main clue would be the serial number that should be engraved on the rear barrel (last numbers must match with front)...
as for the other clues, a lot of contax versions have been modified during and after the war, at zeiss or around zeiss.
Also there is something with the serial number, if it's coated it would be a very early coated one ... early coated T lenses were usually under military embargo (until 41 ?)
so you have two things to check :
1st, put it on screwmount leica at have a roll... if the lens is ok, it's perfect as it is a very good lens...
2d check the serial number on the rear block... if there is one, it's genuine zeiss glass... bingo...
anyway... use it or send it to me and I'll use it for you.
photovdz
Well-known
another basic clue... is it heavy or light... if it feels heavy (meaning metal is heavy bronze with chrome) it's a true zeiss...
Highway 61
Revisited
It's all light white metal inside - this is quite obvious from the photo taken from the rear of the lens. If bronze, we would see it at the edge of the protuding inner lens barrel around the rear element.
As for the outer shell, by no means does it have the look of chrome over brass ! Light white alloy for sure.
At the very best it may have the front and middle cells from a genuine Biogon in Contax mount, but the rear element is highly likely the one of a Jupiter-12.
Now it all depends on how it performs ! It can very well be every bit as good as a genuine prewar Biogon.
Yan Silis
Member
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