odd Contax Sonnar

[dexdog]

I recently bought a non-functioning Contax II on eBay because I was interested in the lens, an aluminum barreled version of a T-coated 5cm/1.5 Sonnar. The serial number is 2986046. Theile's book of CZJ lenses does not include this serial number, leaving off with a batch of 100 Sonnars with highest serial number of 2,985,000, delivery date of August 15, 1946. The next entry in the book is serial number 3,000,001, delivered March 3, 1947.

This lens is odd for a number of reasons. The rear lens element is surrounded by 3 retaining rings- I got one of them off, but the other two were stuck tight by a lot of black paint, so I gave up (for now). I have never seen 3 retaining rings on a Sonnar- two is normal. Also, the end of the rear lens group that usually protrudes from the end of the barrel is completely covered by the outer aluminum barrel (see pics for comparison with a pre-WW2 Sonnar). Once the retaining screw in the side of the outer barrel is removed, and the lens assembly is completely unscrewed from the front of the lens body, you can see that the lens assembly is contained in a black alloy inner barrel. This inner barrel exhibit a couple of hand-engraved characters, including a capital "R" and the number "46", as well as what appears to be a set of registration marks. The inner barrel is also strange in that it is elongated more so than other Sonnars. It completely covers the rear lens assembly that is usually visible in a "normal" Sonnar, i.e., the one typically engraved with the last 6 letters of the serial number. Lastly there was no adjustable stand-off ring, just a couple of spacers that total about 3mm thick.

I am guessing that this lens was built in Russia after the war from German parts. On the other hand, it does not look like any of the various J-3s in Kiev mount that I have seen. Anyone have a pic of a ZK or early J-3 in Kiev mount to compare with this lens?

I have a roll of Fuji 200 loaded into a Contax IIIa, and will take some pics this weekend to see how well it works. Glass looks nice and clear, but does have a number of light scratches from someone scrubbing vigorously on the rear element.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It looks closer to my post-war CZJ Sonnar than it does to the finished in Russia lenses. No wings on the aperture. The rear module could be a transition stage between the wartime lens with separate rear fixture and the postwar CZJ Sonnar with the single fixture, and rear optics fitting into it.

On the CZO lenses: I have seen two different assemblies for lenses with intermixed SN's. Drives me nuts, the two are not compatible parts wise.

 

[dexdog]

Thanks, Brian. I don't have any post-WW2 CZJ Sonnars to compare this one to; Biogons, Biometars and Tessars, but no Sonnars. This is my first one.

 

[Highway 61]

I have owned a postwar Contax mount 1946-1947 CZJ Sonnar 50/2 T that had three retaining rings surrounding the rear element, just like yours. It was a 100% chrome over brass model - no aluminum but for the inner assembly - and the rear of the barrel was quite similar to yours, made of one single fixture instead of a separate one.

I think that many of these immediate postwar lenses barrels were hand machined from different brass or aluminum spares, because of some spares shortage, and destroyed mechanical tools.

I don't think that your lens is Russian or Ukrainian whatsoever.

 

[dexdog]

thanks for the info, H61. I didn't know quite what to make of this lens.

 

[raid]

Have fun with your new lens. I bet that the lens is fine optically, regardless who made it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I just looked at my 305xxxx Post-War CZJ 5cm F1.5 Sonnar in Contax mount: Three retaining rings, and it looks just like yours. Never took that one apart.