Wartime Zeiss Sonnar LTM?

[alexes]

Hello, I know there have been a few threads like this but I’ve recently acquired what I think could be a genuine wartime LTM sonnar but there’s so much conflicting information on the web that I thought I’d consult the knowledge of this forum for help.

Serial number checks out and the matching number is on the internal stem. Red T, purplish coating and ‘ears’. BUT big triangle on focus scale and commas rather then dots in the numerals.

Maybe a transition lens?

Thanks in advance.

Alex

 

[alexes]

More photos.

 

[jmanivelle]

Nice lens, would you share some photos taken with the lens ?

Best, JM

 

[alexes]

I sure will when I get a few rolls through on my Leica ii.

 

[xayraa33]

Your lens does not have the two parallel screws on the focus knurling like on the real McCoy....the FSU J-3 have that single screw, even the early ZK marked J-3 lens had the single screws on the knurled focusing ring.

 

[alexes]

Your lens does not have the two parallel screws on the focus knurling like on the real McCoy....the FSU J-3 have that single screw, even the early ZK marked J-3 lens had the single screws on the knurled focusing ring.

Thanks for the reply. It has two screws on the focus ring that i hadn't shown in previous photos, hopefully attached now, is this what you mean?

 

[xayraa33]

Thanks for the reply. It has two screws on the focus ring that i hadn't shown in previous photos, hopefully attached now, is this what you mean?

Yes, those are the ones, glad to see that they are there.

Is the engraved m for metre small case or large case on the distance scale?

It looks small case...which is another good sign.

Some of these lenses were said to be assembled just after the war not by Zeiss but by individuals from some Zeiss parts and sold to occupying Allied soldiers, mostly American ones, as they had the money.

 

[alexes]

Yes, those are the ones, glad to see that they are there.

Is the engraved m for metre small case or large case on the distance scale?

It looks small case...which is another good sign.

Some of these lenses were said to be assembled just after the war not by Zeiss but by individuals from some Zeiss parts and sold to occupying Allied soldiers, mostly American ones, as they had the money.

Thank you again for your help. It has the small ‘m’.

Alex

 

[raid]

Brian Sweeney once told me that he needed to open up the lens to make sure that it was a genuine Zeiss ltm. He also told me that I may not like to know what he finds.

 

[KoNickon]

He did some substantial work for me on a lens very much like the OP's -- 285 serial number as well. He never said as much, but the clear indication was that things were dire in Jena at the time and who knows what sort of problems lurked inside when he took it apart? There were some, but he squared them away. Very talented guy. Is he no longer on the forum?

 

[raid]

Brian left this forum.
I have several lenses that he found/crafted for me. Each lens is unique and very special.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Brian can be found over at:

https://cameraderie.org/

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks -- hadn't heard of that forum. Sorry he left here.