Are current ZM lenses made of brass?

[Kiyatkin]

Or something else?
I think the ZI is carved from aluminum.
Thanks, Dmitry

 

[JRG]

Well, I'm not sure that carved is the right term. The base of the body is one piece of cast aluminum, and the front plate is also a one-piece cast.

I'd be surprised if there's much (or, any) brass in the lenses --- they are pretty light for that. The 50mm Planar, e.g., weights only 210g.

 

[Kiyatkin]

Yes, carved is a wring word.
I know some VL lenses are all brass, like the 35mm f/1.7. Not sure about Zeiss though.

 

[thrice]

All aluminium.

 

[Mister E]

Or something else?
I think the ZI is carved from aluminum.
Thanks, Dmitry

The Zeiss Ikon is cast out of magnesium. The lenses are made from brass, aluminum and other materials.

 

[Mister E]

All aluminium.

The helicoid is certainly brass. Just like the recent black Leica lenses that have anodized bodies. The chrome Leica lenses are big heavy chunks of brass.

 

[JRG]

The Zeiss Ikon is cast out of magnesium. The lenses are made from brass, aluminum and other materials.

Here's what the Owner's Manual (.pdf version) says:

"The base structure of the camera is a one-piece aluminum die cast part. The focal plane shutter and lens bayonet are both attached to the stable structure as well as the solid die cast camera front plate."

And, later:

"One piece aluminum base structure. External magnesium covers."

The major parts (base structure, and front panel) appear to be not magnesium, but cast aluminum. The external (visible) panels contain magnesium.

 

[Mister E]

The top pate is magnesium with what is probably an aluminum chassis:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=zeiss+ikon+magnesium&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[JRG]

Here's an image borrowed from Zeiss's Owner's Manual:

As I read the Manual, the top and bottom parts in that photo are cast aluminum. Magnesium is used in the outer panels that cover what you see in the photo.

 

[Mister E]

Here's an image borrowed from Zeiss's Owner's Manual:

As I read the Manual, the top and bottom parts in that photo are cast aluminum. Magnesium is used in the outer panels that cover what you see in the photo.

Exactly, so we are agreeing. The top plate is magnesium.

 

[thrice]

Thanks Nate 🙂 I assumed all M mount lenses had brass helicals and the only materials to vary were mostly exterior.

 

[Mister E]

Thanks Nate 🙂 I assumed all M mount lenses had brass helicals and the only materials to vary were mostly exterior.

I never considered that they all have brass helical, but now that you bring that up I can't think of one that doesn't.

 

[Bavaricus]

I never considered that they all have brass helical, but now that you bring that up I can't think of one that doesn't.

It just had a look at my C Biogons 21 + 35. At least a few parts inside are made of brass as far as i could see it.