Photos using pre-war Zeiss lenses

[botty]

To mirror a thread in the leica section how about sharing photos taken using un-coated pre-war Zeiss lenses.

I do ww2 re-enacting with 50mm Sonnar 2 and 50mm Sonnar 1.5 lenses on a Contax 2.

 

[briansilcox]

Botty,

I am also shooting with Contax II and IIa... have yet to process the first rolls. My first shooting was done with the IIa in the early 70's learning to process b/w film. I am using the prewar 35 2.8 on the II and the 50 1.5 on the IIa. I will follow with some results as I get them processed.

Brian
http://www.flightof2photography.com

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I've been lusting after a Sonnar to use on one of my leicas for a couple of years. Just haven't run into an affordable (read cheap).

You already know what I think of your photos 😉


Thanks to Allen on that other board, I recently got a Contax III and that's opened the door to 50 f/1.5 sonnars...which aren't quite as expensive as the LTM ones.
The III's shutter is in need of an overhaul though. 1/25th and 1/50th are already starting to hang up the curtains now and then.

 

[botty]

Yes, the problem with these cameras is that you just don't know when they will break. Great when they work though.

WOW, Brian, just looked at some of the shots on your website!

 

[furcafe]

I think there are quite a few of us shooting w/these lenses (hence the separate sub-group). Your shots do indeed capture the vintage look. Can you share your film & developing details (as they usually contribute even more to the vintage look than the glass)?

No one else using these lenses?

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Yes, the problem with these cameras is that you just don't know when they will break. Great when they work though.

I'm not saying they're unreliable, of course. A well-maintained or overhauled Contax II won't let you down for many years. (Okay, granted, the Contax I had some issues 😉 )

For the 2nd US Armored Normandy trip in 2014, we'll be putting together a press gang. Developing film in the field is definitely on the wish list.

 

[Tom A]

Zeiss Tessar 28mm f8.0. This is on a Zeiss SW camera, Neopan 1600 @ 800 in Pyrocat HD for 17 min.

 

[Tom A]

Zeiss Tessar 50mm f2.8 - strange mount as it is a Leica screw-mount. Kodak Double X in D96. Leica IIIf black dial.

 

[Tom A]

Zeiss Tessar 50mm f3.5 - uncoated and flare prone. This is with a Nikon S2.
Arista Premium 400 in Beutler 1:1:8 for 11 min. Nikon S2

 

[Tom A]

Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2.8, uncoated, prewar. Nikon S2, Agfa Scopix X-ray film.
Scopix likes to attach airbubbles to the emulsion and loading on the reels is a bit like loading wet toilet paper on them, as it is a very thin based film.
HC 110, 1:60, stand developing for 35 min.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Gave in and bought a 1937 CZJ 50 f/1.5 Sonnar for my Contax III and Kiev 2a.

My first Sony...errr Sonnar! 🙂

 

[Vics]

I've been shooting my Sonnar f1.5 50mm on my Contax IIIa for nine years, and I love it, but last month I bought one of Amadeo's excellent adaptors for my M3, and it also works for my W-Nikkor 35/2.5. So now the IIIa is my spare Leica body!

 

[petronius]

Tessar 2,8cm/8 Rollei Superpan 200

I use it with my Lumix G1 too:

 

[botty]

Some great photos there. Love the trees in the puddle shot.

Mine are all on Illford PF4+ film developed in DD-X and standard Illford chemicals at the manufacturers specified dilution and times. The prints are better than shown here. The combination of scanning and posting on a third party photo sharing site has degraded the sharpness and the contrast somewhat.

 

[Alfasud]

This not 135, but rather 120, but I have posted here because it is pre-war Zeiss glass. Taken with a ZI Nettar 510/2 6x9 folder. The lens is a Nettar anastigmat 10.5/7.7. The camera, and its fixed lens are pre-WWII, probably dating from 1937-38. The camera has been in the family since 1939, and I have used it, off and on since 1958. This picture was taken in 2012.

 

[Socrates]

Gave in and bought a 1937 CZJ 50 f/1.5 Sonnar for my Contax III and Kiev 2a.

My first Sony...errr Sonnar! 🙂

Ah you lucky *******😀 Sadly I couldn't bring up the money for those 2.🙁
On the photos it looked more like a IIIa, but either way it would have been a good deal especially with the sonnar

 

[Tom A]

Nikon SP and a pre-war Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5. Kodak XX and Adox developer.

 

[raid]

Sonnar 5cm/2 on Contax IIford XP2

At the French Quarter in New Orleans:

Laughing about me at the barber shop:

At the fairgrounds:

 

[raid]

The pre-war Sonnars are good for color and for BW

 

[hlpgtf]

A couple of f1.5 Sonnar Shots

A couple of f1.5 Sonnar Shots

Here are a couple from my mid-1930's Sonnar 50mm 1.5. Both were shot wide open with my Sony NEX5n: