Zeiss Opton Sonnar 85mm f2

[f16sunshine]

Hello All
I have been meaning to post a little ditty on this lens for a while. Have finally gotten around to it. This lens does not get a lot of attention for whatever reason. I think mostly it is the fact that it is in Contax RF mount and not terribly common. Mine is an early West Opton version. There are other versions as well. The thing that makes this lens more interesting presently is the ability to use it on M Rangefinders as well as m4/3 cameras with adapters. I have an older possibly homemade adapter from un-known source. It has a heavy action but does focus accurately. Too heavy for the tiny Opton 1.5/50 so I ordered a new adapter from Amedeo. Here are some samples from this lens. Please comment away. All of these were taken with either an RD1 or M8.

mfd off comparison

f2

f4

f8

Images with RD1 and M8

 

[ZeissFan]

It doesn't get as much mention, because this board is Leica-centric.

Most of the Japanese lenses from the 1950s were based on Zeiss designs, including the great f/2.0 85mm Sonnar, which was first developed in the 1930s. More than 70 years later, it still delivers excellent results.

 

[raid]

None of the images show up.

 

[raid]

Try www.photobucket.com for free uploading images. It gives you links that directly can be posted here.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Try www.photobucket.com for free uploading images. It gives you links that directly can be posted here.

So does flickr! You just have to right-click on the image itself and choose "copy image location."

I would like a copy of this lens someday, to be sure!

EDIT: a nice looking set--I can't believe we weren't already flickr contacts.

 

[raid]

I have the old 135mm Sonnar. It also is a good lens for portraits.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

From Flickr: click on the "all sizes" option. Use the absolute address of the image, ie the second address given on the page, in the BB statement. img /img statements.

My late Zeiss 50mm F1.5 wide-open, on an Amedeo LTM adapter.

Posted from FLICKR.

 

[paxnobiscum]

A very nice set from a great lens! What is a reasonable price to pay for an excellent copy of a post-war 85/2 Zeiss Opton or Carl Zeiss lens? I would really like to have one in my Contax bag.

Best regards

Petur, Iceland

 

[mauro scacco]

My Sonnar 85 Zeiss Jena
Thx Mauro

 

[marduk]

Well I'm not having any luck with the image uploads. Trying to link with the IMG icon as well as typing it in. If someone can help please do. It worked for me this AM but not now. Here is a link to the set on Flikr. Sorry I am a bit of a computer dork 🙁

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36366328@N04/sets/72157622111763422/

I find the bokeh at f2 to be excellent. Would love to see some images from film. Thanks for sharing these.

 

[furcafe]

Opton:

Jena (pre-WWII):

Jena (post-WWII):

 

[Damaso]

Seems like a lovely lens....

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Is this lens demonstrably better than a properly calibrated Jupiter-9?

 

[gohaj]

the bokeh is good for sonnar lens. i did have the nikkor version which is a copy of zeiss sonnar. see sample photo taken @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/singaporepictures/3038524292/

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've shot the Nikkor 8.5cm F2 in LTM against a late black LTM J-9, and a Nikkor 8.5cm f2 in Contax mount against a 1975 J-9 in Contax mount. The Nikkor is sharper and has higher contrast.

I have to rebuild a 1959 J-9 in Contax mount. Glass is perfect, but some looseness in the helical. Just got a 1958 LTM J-9. The latter appears spot-on from 1.8m through 20m. I'll be shooting another comparison.

 

[raid]

Thanks, Brian.

I am getting interested in a 85mm Zeiss Opton or Jena.