Lens Caps and Rear Caps

N

notraces

Bob Smith
Local time
5:50 PM
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Messages
205
I looked throughout the threads and could not find an answer to this question:

Where can I get front and rear caps for Zeiss 5cm Contax mount lenses? I found some on epay for WIDE angle lenses, but can't seem to find anything specifically for the Zeiss 5cm.

Thanks much.
 
Front caps just go by the diameter of the front opening aka filter thread, measured in mm and the measurements are often printed on the body of the lens such as 39 mm or .... Measure, get, put on.

The rear caps have a way of reacting with the ragged back of each manufacturer's lens mount ..., though. Harder to understand and find.
 
Last edited:
The front cap was a push-on (A42, I think), although you can occasionally find on eBay Japanese made screw-on caps. It should be 40.5mm -- the filter thread size.

I have a Zeiss Ikon dealer sheet from that era, and it doesn't list a rear cap for the 50mm lens. I don't know if that means it was included or if one wasn't available.

However, I'll say that in nearly a decade of trolling eBay, I've yet to see a Carl Zeiss Jena, Zeiss-Opton or Carl Zeiss 5cm/50mm lens for the Contax with a rear cap. It doesn't mean that one wasn't made -- it just means that I've not encountered one.

Another however here -- find a 34mm lens cap, add some felt to it, and this should work well for a rear cap.
 
Last edited:
The cap in the auction is the post-WWII version. The pre-WWII cap was a thin black plastic (Bakelite?) cylinder, embossed w/the Zeiss Ikon logo, & had tabs on the inside to actually lock onto the lens (the post-WWII cap simply slides on); the plastic tends to be brittle & cracks easily, though.

Availability of all of these caps is pretty hit or miss. I've occasionally seen them on eBay listed w/other assorted ZI accessories, as many folks have no idea what they are (same goes w/Contax body caps). Per ZeissFan's post, I have never seen them sold w/a lens. I have a couple pre-WWII & 4 or 5 of the post-WWII version.

If you're impatient & have the money, Hansa makes modern rear caps for the Contax & Nikon RF 50s:

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=188

They're metal, but lock on like the pre-WWII plastic caps.

If you go to Japan, you can find them (or similar caps) on the shelf @ places like BIC or Yodobashi Camera for somewhat less (I can't remember how much I paid), but they're still expensive.

dexdog said:
typical Contax rear cap. I have about a dozen of these. I bought most of mine on ebay, but also received several with cameras.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270352188779
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
furcafe said:
The cap in the auction is the post-WWII version. The pre-WWII cap was a thin black plastic (Bakelite?) cylinder, embossed w/the Zeiss Ikon logo, & had tabs on the inside to actually lock onto the lens (the post-WWII cap simply slides on); the plastic tends to be brittle & cracks easily, though..
Click to expand...

Agreed, the one in the auction is post WW2. I have one of the bakelite caps, and as furcafe notes, they tend to get brittle with age. In my case, the tabs snapped off, which makes the cap pretty useless. The aluminum post war caps are durable and work well, even though they do not lock on the lens.
 
I ordered a few from Dirk at megaperls -- he was kind enough to send a note to let me know he has them -- I got the front snap-on caps from heavystar for a few bucks. I'm set -- thanks much.
 
Source for Inexpensive Rear Lens Caps

Source for Inexpensive Rear Lens Caps

notraces said:
I looked throughout the threads and could not find an answer to this question:

Where can I get front and rear caps for Zeiss 5cm Contax mount lenses? I found some on epay for WIDE angle lenses, but can't seem to find anything specifically for the Zeiss 5cm.

Thanks much.
Click to expand...

Rear caps that work with the 5cm & 50mm internal mount Contax lenses may be found on eBay. A seller with the handle of nobbysparrow located in Japan sells aluminum reproductions of the Zeiss #727 rear cap. The difference is that his caps do not have any felt lining. His price is $10.00 per cap. He also charges a single flat fee of $3.00 for worldwide shipping.

Link to nobbysparrow's eBay listing for rear caps for internal mount lenses

However, if you are looking for the vintage Zeiss #727 cap, they are pricey. Occasionally, they appear on eBay. Currently, Kevin Cameras has one listed as a Buy-It-Now, or Make Offer listing. His Buy-It-Now price is $80.00.

Kevin Camera's eBay listing for a Vintage Zeiss #727 Rear Cap
 
Last edited:
I normally look for a domestic cleaner bottle/jar that has a similar diameter and add foam/felt to suit, some need cutting down. Either the top or jar itself may be usable. A certain WD 40* cap can be cut and felted up to make a decent Contarex rear cap - although I recently found facsimiles on a Chinese web site.
Kevin
*BTW, this is the only recommended use that WD40 has in a camera tinkerers toolkit!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom