BrianT
Member
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
BrianT said:but can anyone point me to a method of dating this lens?
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:1.5 f=5cm T Nr.2845902.
Thiele, Helmut, Fabrikationsbuch Photooptik II: Carl Zeiss Jena, Munich 2006; it's often recommended as an authoritative source on Carl Zeiss serial numbers. Available through GFW online for 49 EUR.
I don't have it, as I don't have to date Jena lenses all that often, but you just asked for a pointer
And probably just as good as a 1940 Contax would have done it.BrianT said:Please excuse the 1950 Kiev, it does it's best.
Philipp
FrankS
Registered User
There are several RFF members who have this Contax lens (and body) dating information. One is sure to come across this thread eventually.
I just saw a Contax II and Zeiss Jena lens for sale in our classifieds. The lens has a serial no. of 3007xxx and the seller described it as an early post war lens.
I just saw a Contax II and Zeiss Jena lens for sale in our classifieds. The lens has a serial no. of 3007xxx and the seller described it as an early post war lens.
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BrianT
Member
Have to be patient then. Frank love your picture of the guy and his dog.
And Philipp you are probably right. Th book sounds good.
Brian
And Philipp you are probably right. Th book sounds good.
Brian
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FrankS
Registered User
Thanks Brian! It's actually my dog and a brother-in-law. 
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
your Kiev is wonderfully looking, I'm in love with it! Don't worry, I'm using a Jupiter-3 on a Contax IIIa 
SCOTFORTHLAD
Slow learner,but keen!
Hello Brian,
According to info' which I picked up on Google at-- 'motamedi.info/serial',Carl Zeiss lenses commenced their number sequence at 2,800,000 in 1942.The next recorded year is 1946,where they started the numbering sequence at 10,000.In 1945 East German production commenced at Jena from 3,000,000.
Cheers,
Brian.
According to info' which I picked up on Google at-- 'motamedi.info/serial',Carl Zeiss lenses commenced their number sequence at 2,800,000 in 1942.The next recorded year is 1946,where they started the numbering sequence at 10,000.In 1945 East German production commenced at Jena from 3,000,000.
Cheers,
Brian.
BrianT
Member
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:1.5 f=5cm TNr.2845902.
Cheers Brian for looking. I reckon Zeiss serial numbers are a bit of a minefield. The one I illustrated must be post 1945, the barrel is more aluminium than chrome but from lists it would be pre 1942 but it just doesn't look like Zeiss quality apart from the optics and coating, they are lovely. Anyone know when they started T coating lenses/
Brian.
Cheers Brian for looking. I reckon Zeiss serial numbers are a bit of a minefield. The one I illustrated must be post 1945, the barrel is more aluminium than chrome but from lists it would be pre 1942 but it just doesn't look like Zeiss quality apart from the optics and coating, they are lovely. Anyone know when they started T coating lenses/
Brian.
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Can't help thinking that your sonnar looks like a wartime lens. Hope someone can bring in more light regarding this lens. It has many similiarities to the ZK 50/1.5 lens.
FrankS
Registered User
Isn't the aluminum barrrel an indication of a wartime lens when materials for chroming were scarce?
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Definitely Frank, there are examples of other lenses in aluminium barrel made during wartime, even once there was a wartime biogon in LTM39 mount available on eBay.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
BrianT said:Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:1.5 f=5cm TNr.2845902.
Cheers Brian for looking. I reckon Zeiss serial numbers are a bit of a minefield. The one I illustrated must be post 1945, the barrel is more aluminium than chrome but from lists it would be pre 1942 but it just doesn't look like Zeiss quality apart from the optics and coating, they are lovely. Anyone know when they started T coating lenses/
Brian.
Zeiss had lens coating technology prior to WWII and I have read that they did coat some pre war lenses. I have also read the theory that Zeiss went from brass on chrome lens barrels to aluminum during the war. I am guessing to save on resources needed for other wartime production. So, from surfing the net I am under the impression that it is possible that coated aluminum pre war/war lenses were made. I agree that what is on the net regarding Zeiss Contax Sonnars can be very confusing and contradictory.
Bob
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Coating technology was invented by Zeiss in 1936 but started to be applied on civilian use equipment such as lenses in 1938. as for the red T sign on lenses, it might've been used as early as 1940.
A Sonnar 5cm f2 that I recently sold to a fellow RFF member was from 1936 and was coated (the traditional carl zeiss light blue coating) but the coating was made post-factory.
A Sonnar 5cm f2 that I recently sold to a fellow RFF member was from 1936 and was coated (the traditional carl zeiss light blue coating) but the coating was made post-factory.
FrankS
Registered User
I have an 50mm f2 aluminum barrel T Carl Zeiss Jena (coated) 3106xxx.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
This link might be of interest http://www.cameraquest.com/zeiss852.htm .
Edited to add another link http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15037
Bob
Edited to add another link http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15037
Bob
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outfitter
Well-known
I have a wartime chrome and aluminum Zeiss 50/1.5 T-coated lens in Contax mount whose serial number is2726xxx
Michael
Michael
BrianT
Member
You could be right Max., there is little difference. This is the Sonnar next to a 1948 SZ 50mm F1.5 Rigid. Fairly unuaual lens.
Tell me why don't people post the full serisal numbers of cameras and lenses, is there some sort of code about these sort of things.
Brian.
Tell me why don't people post the full serisal numbers of cameras and lenses, is there some sort of code about these sort of things.
Brian.
Attachments
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Hi Brian, that's pretty much what I thought, the main difference being the "grip" band being larger on the 50/1.5 Sonnar (which seems to be a constant on pre-war/wartime 50/1.5 sonnars). I suppose people don't post the last numbers of lenses to avoid lens faking maybe, or because anyone with dishonest intentions could claim that they were stolen lens nr° 123456789.
BrianT
Member
Surely not Max, dishonest people around here? No, surely not. In the Zeiss room, never.
But if anyone wants a list of 50mm jupiter lenses give us a shout.
cheers,
Brian.
But if anyone wants a list of 50mm jupiter lenses give us a shout.
cheers,
Brian.
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