Zeiss Contax Lens - "MF1388"

[Blind_spark]

I recently acquired a Contax III camera - nice shape, needs new curtain silks. It came with a 135mm/4 lens - lens has an odd extra marking that I haven't been able to determine what it is. It is "MF1388" - since this is a 135mm lens, would this be an exact focal length in the same vein that Leitz marked their 50mm DR Summicrons? My other thought is that this would be a property mark, but my searches of "Zeiss MF" an the like just bring up results of the present "manual focus" lenses.

Just curious, figured this would be the place to ask.

 

[Bar8barian]

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[wes loder]

This would be a lens for the use of the kriegsmarine (war navy). 'M' is for Marine, there is no consensus as to what the F stands for. It might stand for Fliegen or Flugdienst—which would be a lens for use also by the Luftwaffe. Definitely WWII vintage. Cheers, WES

 

[Blind_spark]

This would be a lens for the use of the kriegsmarine (war navy). 'M' is for Marine, there is no consensus as to what the F stands for. It might stand for Fliegen or Flugdienst—which would be a lens for use also by the Luftwaffe. Definitely WWII vintage. Cheers, WES

Oh wow - that's pretty interesting! Thank you for the info, all!

 

[CameraQuest]

there also no consensus what the numbers stand for ..

particular ship?
particular airplane or type of airplane?
particular naval unit?
particular naval base?
random inventory number?
number of lunches served in the cafeteria that day?

its one of the odd little mysteries of camera collecting that so far,
even after much research,
there is no clear meaning to the MF letters or numbers.

 

[wes loder]

Early equipment came only with M numbers, later ones with MF numbers. With only one exception (so far), each number appears to be unique. Naval Tenax have numbers that match for camera, advance plunger and lens, indicating a set. M and MF numbers appear on Contaxes and Contax lenses, Exaktas and Tenax II and their lenses. I have identified at least three series of these numbers for Tenax II and Tenax lenses.

 

[CameraQuest]

MF numbers are more commonly encountered on wartime Leicas,
yet still very rare. Not sure if Robots had MF engravings or not.

I have only seen 3 or 4 digit MF numbers - never two digits or more than four digits.
I have encountered the same MF number on different Leica bodies & lenses.

All of which begs the question, Why were the MF engravings so rarely used?

Perhaps only used at one Naval base?

Or perhaps some type of seldom encountered elite unit?

Even Jim Lager does not know their meaning,
which is another way of saying this is a mystery indeed.

 

[wes loder]

Have seen MF76—a naval-modified Tenax II with 4cm Sonnar.
Doubt that they confined to one naval base since M and MF have shown up in Normandy (Brest?) and Poland (Danzing?) and elsewhere.
A few Contax sets have shown up associated with specific ships and submarines. These sets consist of a Contax III with a 5cm and 13.5cm Sonnar plus space for film, etc.—all in a fitted wood box. They appear to be standard issue items for each ship to have on board. Here is a list of some of the non-Leica military-marked equipment:
Appear to be three or more series:
First Series:
M188
M191
M198
M201
M206
These are all Tenax II with 4cm Sonnars.
Originally each camera, lever and lens would have same mark as a set. Lenses are coated. Over time, the combos have been broken up or mixed. At least 18 cameras in this series and probably more.
Second Series:
M235 Exakta 66
M238 Exakta 66
M240 Tessar for Exakta

Third Series:
MF76 Tenax II
MF728 Tenax II & 4cm Sonnar
MF742 Tenax II & 4cm Sonnar
MF761 Tenax II & 4cm Sonnar

MF715 7.5cm Sonnar
MF818 7.5cm Sonnar
MF820 7.5cm Sonnar

MF728 Tessar (fixed mount)
MF824 Tessar (fixed mount)

Hope this helps, WES

 

[CameraQuest]

Is it known what the Exakta 66 and Tenax were used for in military service?

With Leicas, Contax, Robots used in the military,
what uses would have been advantageous for the Exakta 66 (a 120 SLR for those not familiar)
and the Tenax (a 35mm camera with a limited range of lenses) ?

 

[Scrambler]

Is it known what the Exakta 66 and Tenax were used for in military service?

With Leicas, Contax, Robots used in the military,
what uses would have been advantageous for the Exakta 66 (a 120 SLR for those not familiar)
and the Tenax (a 35mm camera with a limited range of lenses) ?

Remembering that the British had the opportunity to donate your Leica or Contax to the war effort. Some of this variation could be simply taking what was available. Use of less impressive cameras may have been by less prestigious service elements.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Remembering that the British had the opportunity to donate your Leica or Contax to the war effort. Some of this variation could be simply taking what was available. Use of less impressive cameras may have been by less prestigious service elements.

The Ministry of Defence had a program whereby Leica and Contax cameras could be sent in for guaranteed purchase by them.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[wes loder]

Is it known what the Exakta 66 and Tenax were used for in military service?

With Leicas, Contax, Robots used in the military,
what uses would have been advantageous for the Exakta 66 (a 120 SLR for those not familiar)
and the Tenax (a 35mm camera with a limited range of lenses) ?

The range of lenses for the Tenax II (27mm to 75mm) was similar to the usually purchased Leica range (35mm to 90mm) and the range for the Robot (remember that optics longer than 75mm vignette on a Robot). A 75mm lens used with the 24X24 format is equivalent to a 94mm lens for 24X36. The Tenax II offered an excellent rangefinder which the Robot did not. It appears that the navy used Tenax II's for on-board photography and as a "Scramble" camera that a pilot could take with him for quick shots from the cockpit. The plunger advance would have been an advantage when shooting with gloves on. Zeiss hoped that the Tenax would appeal to the military as an alternative to the Robot, but the Robot was a better gun camera.
As for the Exakta 66, I have no clue as to what it was used for. They usually have the military adler in addition to MF number.
WES

 

[David Hughes]

Regards, David