Zeiss collapsible Tessar for Contax RF

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Curious about this lens. Is it comparable to the old Elmars? It will fit on the IIa and IIIa? Anyone care to share a few pictures?

I know I'm not supposed to give a crap, but it is extremely cool-looking, especially the black version.

 

[ZeissFan]

Except for the prewar Biogon, all prewar and postwar lenses are compatible with all prewar and postwar bodies.

A shot from a few years ago. This also includes shots from a Sonnar:

Also, shots from a Nettax 35mm rangefinder, which uses the same Tessar lens in the Nettax mount.

I would describe this lens as being a typical prewar Tessar with its swirly backgrounds. At f/8, it's a very sharp lens.

 

[Dralowid]

As someone who has used Elmars for years I never took any notice of Tessars. Now I am moving into the Contax world I have found both 3.5 and 2.8 Tessar really excellent 'in a pre war kind of way'.

I am on the verge of changing my allegiences and saying that I prefer the Tessar results to those of the Elmar, but I am not quite there yet. Give me 10 years or so to get over the sheer build quality of the Zeiss lenses and maybe I can offer a valid opinion. All that black and nickel.

In the meantime, they are every bit as good as each other and sometimes better!

Michael

 

[furcafe]

I don't have much experience w/the old Elmars, but since the Elmar is just a Tessar w/the aperture blades placed in a different position, I would think the lens "signature" would be similar.

Examples from the Contax, Nettax, & Super Nettel versions:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/carlzeissjena5cm28tessarcollapsiblec193439/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/carlzeissjena5cm28tessarnettaxc1936/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/carlzeissjena5cm28tessarsupernettelic1934/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/carlzeissjena5cm35tessarcollapsiblec193839/