Old Sonnar 50mm f1.5 question

[peterrm]

I recently picked up a old 50mm f1.5 Sonner. It was misdescribed as being in an M39 ltm mount (I shoot old Canons).
My first question is: is this the mount for the old Contax rf cameras? See photos.
I see a rainbow colored film covering most of what seems to be the back of the front element. Is this fungus, oil or some other problem with the coating? I haven't ever seen anything like this on my old Canon lenses.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Yes it is for old Contax rangefinders.

I don't know about the rainbow, looks like an oil slick to me.

Wayne

 

[FrankS]

That center dark shape, is that jsut a reflection, or does the colouration stop there. If the latter is the case, then this could be severe seperation of glued elements. Since the center is still good (if this is the case) then the results could be very interesting. Get yourself a Kiev 4a to try it out on.

 

[ajvo]

it looks like more separation of glued element to mee than any other problem.

 

[ZeissFan]

I agree with the others about the lens mount. It's for the Contax rangefinder and the Kiev copies.

That looks like element separation. That might affect contrast, but separation won't affect sharpness or resolution. Use a lens hood, and you really shouldn't notice anything.

 

[dexdog]

Definately for the Contax lens mount. Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like severe failure of cemented lens elements to me. The serial number of the CZ lens suggests a manufacturing date late in the Contax lifeline, around 1960 or so. What I find curious is that the heavy chrome plating has worn off a portion of the lens mount, suggesting that it was either mounted and dismounted quite a lot, or was scratched by a damaged internal lens mount. I have never seen a lens with this peculiar damage.

 

[Will]

Yes it is for old Contax rangefinders.

I don't know about the rainbow, looks like an oil slick to me.

Wayne

I was told those (rainbow) are seperations.

 

[FrankS]

Peter, if you paid more than $100 for it, I'd return if if you can.

 

[peterrm]

Thanks to all for all the expert advice.
Frank: no the seperation is not in the center, so it may be interesting yet-will it fit on any Kiev? I only paid $40 for it, so other than a chastising emial to the sender I guess I'll chalk it up to 'buyer beware".
Thanks again,
Peter

 

[peterrm]

I meant "to the seller"

 

[Will]

Thanks to all for all the expert advice.
Frank: no the seperation is not in the center, so it may be interesting yet-will it fit on any Kiev? I only paid $40 for it, so other than a chastising emial to the sender I guess I'll chalk it up to 'buyer beware".
Thanks again,
Peter

For $40, you might just keep this for the barrel, if it is indeed a CZ, instead of a J-3

 

[dexdog]

will it fit on any Kiev? Peter

sure, it will fit just fine on any series 2, 3 or 4 Kiev.

 

[FrankS]

Yeah, for $40 keep it to try it out. Fits Contax and Kiev cameras.