Carl Zeiss Jena 8.5cm Triotar - but what does it fit?

[Crannogman]

Hi, I recently acquired this lens as part of an old lot of camera parts. It is a Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar 8.5cm f/4 - prewar I guess, but I have no clue what it fits? The Contax rangefinder version has a bell-shaped bit where it attaches to the camera body, but this one does not. Attached are some photos from my website:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.239587859463281.61132.154012844687450&type=1

Can anybody tell me what it fits, and what it might be worth? Glass is fine, but needs a clean, and body shows moderate signs of use with a few scratches. Thanks everybody.

 

[dexdog]

I looked it up in Thiele's book of CZJ lenses. Most of this batch, completed March 26, 1940, were in Exakta bayonet mount, although part of the batch was also made in Praktiflex mount. I would guess that this is the Exakta mount because it has the three big lobes of equal size. Also, I think that the circa 1940 Prakticaflex was M42 screwmount.

 

[Crannogman]

Many thanks! I will do some research on this and it does look like an Exakta mount from one other photo online. There was a similar one for sale online and the price was obscene, although condition was marginally better. Any profits will go back on more camera gear! I appreciate the help and especially having a look in your book.

 

[haempe]

...
Also, I think that the circa 1940 Prakticaflex was M42 screwmount.

Praktiflex had used a M40 screwmount until 1946.
M42 was a idea of the SMA (sovjet military administration), to create a general standard for all the different lenses produced in eastern germany.

 

[dexdog]

thanks for the correction. I was pretty sure that the Praktiflex was a screwmount, but was unsure about the size. 😱

 

[Crannogman]

I didn't know the M42 mount had Russian origins? My wife will love this. No wonder all my old Zenits are...

 

[dexdog]

I didn't know the M42 mount had Russian origins? My wife will love this. No wonder all my old Zenits are...

I am fairly certain that the M42 screwmount originated with the post-WW2 Contax S SLR, from Zeiss Ikon in DDR. Later licensed to Pentax in Japan, who more or less made it famous

 

[Crannogman]

Oh right, fascinating story to me. Wouldn't it be nice if modern DSLRs still used the M42 mount? Takes me about the same time to switch after I find the little red dot - and I'm pretty fast with it. Hey ho...

 

[xayraa33]

The Praktina was the SLR with its own three pronged bayonet lens mount also.

 

[Mudman]

Oh right, fascinating story to me. Wouldn't it be nice if modern DSLRs still used the M42 mount? Takes me about the same time to switch after I find the little red dot - and I'm pretty fast with it. Hey ho...

There are mount adapters to use m42 lenses on most cameras with some or most functions.

 

[Crannogman]

Sure there are M42 adapters for modern DSLRs, but does it all work (eg autofocus). One thing that always struck me: build an interchangeable interface between modern dslr pins tucked in a neat little ring adapter and the world is your oyster. Easier said I suppose. Focal distance, offset, etc.

 

[Crannogman]

Nice profile pic btw Mudman. Heavy Chevy. My folks live near you. Too bad I can't get them to ship Graflex 5x4s to England!

 

[Mudman]

Thanks. I took it with my mx-evs rolleiflex. Regarding af. You have af m42 lenses? Realistically, you get 90% of what the lens was designed to do on modern cameras. Might lose autodiaphram on some lenses. That's about it.

 

[haempe]

I didn't know the M42 mount had Russian origins? My wife will love this. No wonder all my old Zenits are...

Well, not true russian origin, the demand for a universal mount came from the SMA.
It was planned, to deliver a part of the lens and camera production of different companys to russia for reparations.
Therefore, a standard mount was necessary.
Right is, the Contax S was the first camera, which was developed with M42 around 1948.
The Praktiflex II switched from M40 to M42 1947/48, if I remember correctly.