Picked up a black CZJ Biotar 5.8cm f2, but it has no mount???

[franko776]

Hopefully someone in this group might be able to help. So, I picked this lens up in a box, but I cant figure out oif its missing the mount of what kind of mount is it supposed to be? If its missing the mount, how could I make it adaptable to use on a full frame camera like a Canon with an EF mount?

 

[markjwyatt]

Based on SN and per Thiele, Fabrikationsbuch/CZJ..., this is part of a 1000 lens run in 1948 that was part of a larger set of M42 runs, but some of the specific run of 1000 your lens is listed under included some Exakta mounts. So it was likely either M42 or Exakta mount, or maybe some intermediate result that got out of the factory. Best of luck.

I have the lens in Exakta mount, and it is very nice. It would be great to have one in M42!

 

[franko776]

Based on SN and per Thiele, Fabrikationsbuch/CZJ..., this is part of a 1000 lens run in 1948 that was part of a larger set of M42 runs, but some of the specific run of 1000 your lens is listed under included some Exakta mounts. So it was likely either M42 of Exakta mount, or maybe some intermediate result that got out of the factory. Best of luck.

I have the lens in Exakta mount, and it is very nice. It would be great to have one in M42!

can you take a picture of yours with the exakta mount? I am just guessing it got picked up by someone that either removed the mount. Would like to put it on a EF lens mount and just dont know how or what I need.

 

[franko776]

Based on SN and per Thiele, Fabrikationsbuch/CZJ..., this is part of a 1000 lens run in 1948 that was part of a larger set of M42 runs, but some of the specific run of 1000 your lens is listed under included some Exakta mounts. So it was likely either M42 of Exakta mount, or maybe some intermediate result that got out of the factory. Best of luck.

I have the lens in Exakta mount, and it is very nice. It would be great to have one in M42!

oh, I did find an adapter to go from Exakta to M42 on ebay for under $15. might be worth a shot.

 

[dexdog]

The following link goes to an eBay listing showing a Biotar in Exacta mount. Looks like the entire mount on your lens has been ground off; I don't think that there is any way of attaching an adapter to it, other than using epoxy.

Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm Vintage Lens | eBay

Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm Vintage Lens. Made in Germany. This is an older copy with more aperture blades than later models and much more sought after. This is Exacta mount and can be used on modern mirrorless cameras with proper adapter. This lens is known for its spiral circular bokeh and perfect...

www.ebay.com

 

[markjwyatt]

The following link goes to an eBay listing showing a Biotar in Exacta mount. Looks like the entire mount on your lens has been ground off; I don't think that there is any way of attaching an adapter to it, other than using epoxy.

Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm Vintage Lens | eBay

Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm Vintage Lens. Made in Germany. This is an older copy with more aperture blades than later models and much more sought after. This is Exacta mount and can be used on modern mirrorless cameras with proper adapter. This lens is known for its spiral circular bokeh and perfect...

www.ebay.com

It looks like there is epoxy or some adhesive on the face of the mount, so someone may have removed the old mount (M42 or Exakta) and bonded it to something else. I can (blush) see its helicoids exposed, so there may be more too it then just bonding on an adapter. The value of the lens is related to the number of aperture blades (17 being the most sought, but 8, 10, 12, 17 possible), and the mount(the M42 seems to carry more value. Maybe take it to a repair man that has some experience.

Note that you do not need to include the shutter release "arm". Not all Exakta mount lenses included it. You mainly need the bayonet at the rear.

Here is one an ebay (Exakta mount) currently at a reasonable price (but under bid) that maybe the mount(s) could be scavenged from. Both the lens and the bellows mounts have the exakta mount hardware, so you have some extra hardware to experiment with potentially (and the lens may be just as good as the subject lens). I do not know what it would take to rebuild, and if it is even practical.

Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2 Exakta SLR Camera Mount w Bellowscope Jr | eBay

The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2 lens is a prime manual focus lens designed for Exakta mount cameras. With a maximum aperture of f/2.0, it is ideal for capturing crisp images with beautiful depth of field. The lens comes with a Bellowscope Jr, enhancing its versatility and allowing for...

www.ebay.com

 

[franko776]

So, quick update. I was able to speak with Roman from RetroFoto House. He is in Kiev, Ukraine. He specializes in rebuilding and modifying the old lenses for cinematography/photography. He said he would be able to service my lens, bring it back to tip top condition and put on an EF mount for $100 plus shipping, so all things considered, I think it will be my best route. Thanks for the input and for helping me find the right direction!

 

[dexdog]

So, quick update. I was able to speak with Roman from RetroFoto House. He is in Kiev, Ukraine. He specializes in rebuilding and modifying the old lenses for cinematography/photography. He said he would be able to service my lens, bring it back to tip top condition and put on an EF mount for $100 plus shipping, so all things considered, I think it will be my best route. Thanks for the input and for helping me find the right direction!

Roman does nice work. I have bought a couple of lenses from him. Sounds like a good price for a significant repair/modification.

 

[MarkWalberg]

So, quick update. I was able to speak with Roman from RetroFoto House. He is in Kiev, Ukraine. He specializes in rebuilding and modifying the old lenses for cinematography/photography. He said he would be able to service my lens, bring it back to tip top condition and put on an EF mount for $100 plus shipping, so all things considered, I think it will be my best route. Thanks for the input and for helping me find the right direction!

I use a couple adapters Roman made for Contax lenses to Leica screw mount or Nikon Z mount. THey work great. ROman does very good work. He clearly knows what he is doing.