Your opinion on THIS Sonnar is appreciated

[Swissmadepix]

Good Day Folks,

I have the opportunity of aquiring a Hasselblad 500C (1957) coupled to a Zeiss Sonnar f1:4 150mm (1970) lens for a truly decent amount of money.

My question and call for opinion from Folks more experienced than me is related mainly to the lens.

The seller reports the lens has "3-4 minor scratches on the front element" ("3-4 kleine , feine Kratzer" in the original German description) and shows "3-4 little bubbles" ("3-4 kleine Bläschen" in the original German description).

Available pictures of the lens are found here:
Sonnar f1:4 150mm #1

Sonnar f1:4 150mm #2

Sonnar f1:4 150mm #3


Do you think the lens is "uncementing"..or does it look fine to you ?

Thanking you for your opinion I remain with happy clicks...errr....best regards.

 

[darkkavenger]

Just engaging my own, limited knowledge, but the lens appears to be in very fine condition. I've been/am dealing with tele Sonnars, but only eastern german models (Sonnar 180/2.8 and Sonnar 300/4).

Regards,
Max

 

[ferider]

One of my all time favorite lenses.

Unfortunately, though, it seems to separate - I would stay away from it.
They are not too expensive currently. You can get them below US 300
in good condition.

Roland.

 

[darkkavenger]

Hello Roland, what gives you hints that the lens is separating? is it the blue-purple ring in there? just curious 🙂

thnx
max 🙂

 

[ferider]

Hello Roland, what gives you hints that the lens is separating? is it the blue-purple ring in there? just curious 🙂

thnx
max 🙂

Hey Max !

The Bubbles/"Blaeschen" that he mentions shouldn't be there. Cann't
see them in the photos, but this lens is too young to have the old
Zeiss bubbles, me thinks.

Hope France is treating you well ! Best,

Roland.

 

[ferider]

As a reference for price, KEH has three listed currently between US 254 and 364, in BGN to EXC condition.

Roland.

 

[mfogiel]

From what I see, the lens should be ok, but there are 2 other issues:

- this is still the uncoated version (no T* )
- this is the "C" version of compur shutter, and the lens is old, so is likely going to need a CLA to work properly on longer settings

To sum up, you will probably have to spend close to 100 eur to make it work, and it should not cost more than 200 eur anyway, so I would rather fish for a newer and fully functional C T* version, or, even better for the CF one.

 

[darkkavenger]

Hey Max !

The Bubbles/"Blaeschen" that he mentions shouldn't be there. Cann't
see them in the photos, but this lens is too young to have the old
Zeiss bubbles, me thinks.

Hope France is treating you well ! Best,

Roland.

I was certainly curious about those "bubbles" since they seem to be common in prewar lenses (the 50/2 1936 Sonnar I sold to Scotforthlad had a couple lovely zeiss bubbles), but I haven't seen these in other Zeiss lenses I've owned (mainly Pentacon Six mount lenses (Flektogon, Sonnar, Biometar) and postwar 135/4 Sonnar.

I'm by no means skilled in Hasselblad Zeiss lenses, so this is good to know, if I happen to find a Hassy some day 😉 This reminds me that while I was in Sweden last week, in Uppsala, I was at Peace & War museum and they were showing that Dag Hammarskjöld, former UN secretary & Uppsala native, was using a hasselblad on his UN & holiday trips. With beautiful b/w photos... 🙂

France is a bit rough after 5 years in Prague, I'm temporarily at my parents & searching actively for a job & flat, hope these things will be solved asap. Feels strange to return live with parents at 29 😉 I should be getting a job in Monte-Carlo soon, nothing fantastic to start with, but it should be enough to live on my own & get things rocking within 6 months to 1 year.

Take care!
Max