Question about a CZJ Sonnar 1,5/5 cm.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

since some years, I have this lens, that gives fine results.

It is with the red "T". Its serial number is 3058192.

Today, for the first time, I decided to search for more details in Thiele's Fabrikationsbuch, but with some surprise, I haven't found it.

I think it should have been made in the early postwar years, since my 2,8/18 cm Sonnar/Flektoskop appears as made in 1948.

Does anyone have more info about my 1,5/5 cm?

Many thanks in advance,

best wishes,

Enzo (E.L.)

 

[Mark C]

Hi Enzo. I've been messing with my old Jena 50's lately so am glad to see some new discussion. I've read about all the old Sonnar posts on this forum. I like my lenses, but am still jealous of yours. I would think that should be the high point for Zeiss Jena 50 1.5's.

Please post a picture so we can see this beauty. I'll let the experts sort out the date, but it does sound like it is likely just postwar.

 

[KoNickon]

Go to the Leica LTM Copies forum here on RFF and you will see a couple of "sticky" discussions about the Sonnar and serial numbers. To be sure, those discussions do not involve the Contax mount lens, but I believe CZJ serial numbers for the Sonnar were not separated by lens mount. Hopefully that will be of help -- certainly it's an interesting topic, and there are some quite knowledgeable persons involved.

 

[Elmar Lang]

Hello again,

thank you all, for the further info and inputs.

I will leave my question in the LTM Copies room too.

To Mark C: I've also written that my Sonnar, due to its serial no. over 3xxxxxx, is a postwar piece. My Flektoskop Sonnar, from 1948, is no. 3114372.

My other "T" 5cm/1,5 is no. 2554044, thus a surely wartime one.

Best wishes,

Enzo

 

[Mark C]

Now you really are trying to make me jealous. The newest of my three is 213..... Not being coy, I just remember the the first three digits. I'm happy with them but would love to try a "T" coated version.

There seems clearly to have been a redesign in the mid 30's. My black and nickel version performs noticeably differently from my later 30's models.

From observations people have made about performance it sounds like the wartime and last Jena versions might be again a bit different formula. How do your two "T" versions compare? Any notable difference? Have you happened to compare to a pre-war?