Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8: 2:05 Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f2.0: 5:21 Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 80mm f1.8: 7:32 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.4: 11:13 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 20mm f4: 13:14 Prakticar 50mm f1.4: 16:42 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f2.8: 20:53 Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f3.5: 21:21

@dedclownsRfunny

4 ай бұрын

Omg BLESS YOU

@tronsdiary4846

2 ай бұрын

I can not stand with the voice without your works. Due to need information about 35 f2.4, i try to listen this old man and such a fucking nightmare.

@Ariel_Asker

2 ай бұрын

@@tronsdiary4846 😂 Glad it helped!

Last pictures of my grandfather i took with Carl Zeis Jena 180mm f2.8 "Zebra", my grandpa Andrzej Strumiłło were artist and former director of graphic presentation unit in UN.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a lovely lens, and some very precious memories too! Thanks for looking in.

@jakubstrumillo

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 amazing and ultra sharp lense with Fluorite main element.

@piotrko.4086

2 жыл бұрын

@@jakubstrumillo Jakub, to średni format, jak rozumiem...

@jakubstrumillo

2 жыл бұрын

@@piotrko.4086 Tak, gwint P60. Ale na cropie daje od 260mm i jest przerazliwie ostry 🤙🏻

The Prakticar 50/1.4 is a Zeiss Jena lens. It was made in two versions. The first, which you showed, and which I also own, is radioactive. The later one used a revised optical formula without thorium and can be distinguished from its predecessor by having the name and lens specs engraved on the front of the mount surrounding the front element, rather than around the side.

Excellent reviews on a niche segment of vintage. Very helpful!

Great video Nigel! I completely share your passion for Carl Zeiss Jena lenses and everything you have said about the Flektagons and Pancolars. I just bought an 80mm Pancolar only two weeks ago in near mint condition and already love it so much! And I think I got a really great deal: got it for 540 Euros. There are two very fine Carl Zeiss Jena lenses missing in the presentation, the Biotars 2/58 and 1.5/75, which are just gorgeous.

Another shot of English Sunday afternoon calm and nostalgia for me. Without being rude, you bring back memories of my late father who was a very keen amateur photographer and who would have loved your enthusiasm for the lenses he used in the 60s and 70s. Sadly, his shutter stopped clicking a few years ago but it's a nice memory trip for me. Regarding Zeiss, they are still the greatest lens makers in my opinion. Most of my pro kit consists of their Batis and Loxia models. Expensive but worth every penny.

Wonderful video as usual. Thanks!

Zeiss matters! You've really opened the goodiebag here, Nigel, great episode! I've just got two Zeiss slr lenses, the Tessar 50mm 2.8, and a 135mm 2.8, the latter is labeled "aus jena" - due to a legal conflict they weren't allowed to use the Zeiss name for some years, but it's a real czj lens, and a nice one to. Another tip to try out some Zeiss lenses, is to shoot film, small or medium format, with cameras that are fitted with Zeiss lenses, almost all Zeiss ikon cameras use Zeiss optics, and many others like Rollei often do. Even the triplets are quite nice.

Thanks for this video Nigel. It would be nice to see a video of your worst vintage lenses, for those of us who are looking for something gritty, not sharp, and full of imperfections.

Another very very nice review for all lovers off vintage lenses.

Thank you so much for this interesting and detailed video, Nigel ! Please let me give a few supplementary details : For my experiences Pancolar 50mm f2 is more similar to the Biotar 58mm, when it comes to the images . The lens is very short, like a Tessar 50mm ( i use an M42 type ), an advantage too. These very early Pancolar is single coated of course and more prone to flare than the later Pancolars. Some of these Pancolars 50mmf2 got the name "Flexon", because they were uncertain in Jena how to title the successor of the Biotar. But the rendering at all apertures is outstanding and unique, quite different looking images to the 1.8 types. Pancolar 80mm is a fantastic and superb lens, i agree completely ! Of course it's genuine territory is portrait photography, but i use it for nature and landscape photography too.

That CZ Jena factory certainly produced some corking glass during the 50s to the 70s. Unfortunately the "Golden Age" of good vintage lenses for little money has gone, and the prices, as you noted, are getting into the realms of silly. Will they ever get back down to the levels previously seen? Probably not, but I can see a time when the bubble, while not exactly bursting, will lose a little air. Good glass is good glass, regardless of the name on the bezel, CZJ are good, and so are many others. Bought wisely these are a better buy than money in the bank. I wonder if there are any pokey little camera shops left, run by little old men in faded cardigans, with huge stocks of unsold second hand film cameras and lenses? Probably not, so we have to scoop up the bargains now, as they appear, and not sit on our hands hoping for a cheaper version to come along. Another great Sunday evening video, Nigel, a virtual meeting of the "Zenography Camera Club", or "Kamera Klub" seeing as we have had the East German contingent tonight. Just 168 hours to wait for the next episode (sigh!!) George

@subbbass

2 жыл бұрын

i see every week people selling Tessars and Praktica cameras with lenses on second hand auctions. Mostly sold by somebody after the passing of their grandpa or grandma. Normaly " I don't know what it is or if it works". Maybe it sounds rude but I think there are far more grandparents passing then people looking for old lenses. Tessars and Pentacon lenses were made over such a long time in millions.... only rare lenses in very good conditions will go up in price IMHO.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

The Kamera Klub indeed! As regards the lens price bubble, well, I think a lot of sellers are jumping on the vintage lens bandwagon and asking hugely inflated prices - it's to be hoped not too many pay them. As against that, just like anything that's not made any more for which there's a demand, increasing rarity will eventually drive prices higher I guess. Still, plenty of affordable ones still around right now, and for the forseeable future I think!

A minor point re the "Zebra" Pancolar 50mm f1.8, Pancolar lenses up to serial number 8552600 (from 1964 up to 1967) were produced with Thorium, after that they were produced without the Thorium due to public concern over the radioactivity.

I’ve got a Zeiss C/Y Jena 28mm F2.8 Macro lens. She’s an absolute stunner 👍🏻

I could listen to you all day. Such a soothing voice ❤

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

Hi Nigel ,wonderful presentation as usual, I thank you.

@zenography7923

8 ай бұрын

You are very welcome

What a beautiful review of CZJ lenses. 👋👋 I have the Pancolar 50 1.8 (my first vintage lens) and the Flektogon 35 and love them on my Sony. Getting interested in the Flektogon 20.

You're really a talented photographer. I'd like to call attention to your photo at 11:38 You only show it in passing, but it's a profoundly good photo. I could live in this scene, imagining this peaceful, sunny day, from the different vantage points of the biker, the trio, the loner in the back, with the sea reflecting the sun in this timeless way, for hours... really an amazing image.

Another great comparison! I haven't tried the Praktica 50mm f/1.4 but it does seem neat! I do have the CZJ 50 1.4 and while it is not very sharp at all, it's bokeh is extremely bubbly and nice. You made me buy the Flektogon several years back haha. It is a cute lens really has a charming look close up. If you are ever in the market for another very wide lens, I can also recommend the Konica 21mm f/4. It makes wonderful black and white images in my experience...someday I'd love the 2.8 version but that's really expensive. It can be hard to judge the true value of a lens when there are so few up on the market and they've been marked up to insane amounts (just because the price is high doesn't mean anyone buys it at those prices etc). I assume folk would rarely buy the Pancolar 80 if it were say about 800 usd, but that said I am really glad I got to to buy my Pancolar 80mm (PB mount) back in like 2020 for like 300 pounds which while very high is an absolute steal compared to the current supposed rate lol I should use it more. It remains one of my favorite lenses (it is a bit low contrast wide open but if I just tweak the levels in editing, it pops so hard, love the minimum focus distance too).

Just found your channel and thank you for the excellent reviews. Not even really my thing but your pictures and enthusiasm has shone through and I am thinking about getting one or two to try on my bmpcc 6k pro video camera.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Vintage lenses work particularly well on movie cameras and many directors won't use anything else. There's no disadvantage in manual focus either, as autofocus is almost never used in serious film production (as I'm sure you know). Give it a go - I don't think you'll regret it!

In spring 1966 there was a 55mm Pancolar 1.4 and a 75mm/ 1.4 which were really rare and expensive (in Zebra design). This is also radioactive. According to zeissiconveb there were 400.000 Pancolar 1.8/ 50mm built from 1967 to 1987. But only 5000 55mm and 550 75mm. According to zeissiconveb there were 11.000 M42 Pancolar 1.8/ 80mm built from 1977 and 4.700 Prakticar with Praktica-Bajonett.

Very nice ! Thank you 🙂

Dear great review of CZJ lenses .... I have the Pancolar 50mm 1.8 great lens but perhaps a bit behind the takumar 50 1.4 😂 . In my bag I have also the 35mm 2.4 and flek 20mm 2.8 ,that's my holy CZJ trinity kit. For takumar 50 f1.4 , 35 f2, and 20mm f4 ..... Looking forward to the next video

Thanks Nigel for your easy and relaxing manner of sharing info with us! You mention often " no problem to swap mounts for digital camera's " but do you also show how to convert? Indeed, these older lenses are very good and deserve a second and third life.... I began in the seventies with a for me affordable Zenit E with Helios 58- f2.0.... keep on going and succes with your channel!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel. This video kzread.info/dash/bejne/a22erK2lqq7YqqQ.html should be useful for how to adapt lenses to mirrorless. Thanks for looking in!

The 150mm F4.5 Zeiss Jena Tessar on the 9x12 Zeiss Ikon Ideal gives some very sharp images and the Compur shutter with around 12 blades gives wonderful bokeh. They did it right even back in the 1930's.

Another, somewhat related lens, because it's a DDR lens in Exakta mount, that I've become quite fond of is the Meyer Lydith 30mm f3.5. It's worth a look, and I think you'd find it interesting. A distant relative, because it's in Exakta mount, and is, I believe the equal of the Pancolar, is the Topcor 58mm f1.4. It's the finest "normal" lens I own.

I feel the same "emotions" as you when I use my German lenses and they DO make you a better photographer (or perceive that you are). I bought a little German range finder camera for little money and it has taken the best quality pictures in my collection, absolutely astounding. Members of my model boat club (all qualified professionals in their field) would not believe I took pictures of their boats with my Voigtlander SLR and asked to see the negs as proof! A bunch of doubting Thomas's and all in good fun.

Have a few of CZJ and amazing thing to me is build quality.Something what many can learn from it.

Great Review, I been using legacy Carl Zeiss CONTAX lenses (West German), I believe made using the same optical formula. A1 in terms of sharpness, colour and clarity. One lens often raved about is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 35-70 mm f/ 3.4 C/Y. While having never tried, it apparently performs throughout the zoom range as a prime.

@caw25sha

2 жыл бұрын

Ah yes, the pre-Yashica Contax lenses are legendary.

Fantastic video. I have tested most of these lenses and I totally agree. The 80mm 1.8 is fantastic but there's is a better option: CZJ Prakticar 80mm 1.8. it is exactly the same optic (I have tested both) but with a lower minimum focusing distance and lower price. I would add to your list the ultra expensives Pancolar 55mm F1.4 and Biotar 75mm 1.5. I confirm also that the 50mm 1.8 zebra 8 blades is radioactive, but incredible too. Thanks for your videos!!

I've got a couple of East German lenses, a 50mm f1.8 and a 50mm f2.8, both M42. I might try to get an adapter so I can use them on my OM-D cameras. The 1.8 is branded "PENTACON electric" with the Tower logo. It has three contacts on the mount but I'm not sure of their purpose. The coating is pinkish, sort of Financial Times colour. The focusing ring has the largest rotation I have ever seen, nearly 360 degrees! The 2.8 is just branded "aus JENA" but with a T before the aperture/focal length. I remember when CZJ lenses were widely available in Jessops, City Camera Exchange etc. They were very cheap and largely ignored by the photography press so I doubt if many people knew how good they were. In fact I expect most people assumed they were a bit rubbish. They were all supplied with a brown leather case.

My first proper camera in 1981 was a Practica MTL3. Great lens I've still got it.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I have a soft spot for the Praktica cameras and I still occasionally use an MTL 5 to shoot some film. Glad to hear you still have your lens!

As far as your Akai Reel to Reel channel problem, I would first check if you can get both channels in headphones, if it has a stereo jack. I would first attack oxidation on contacts. I presume it has rca jacks as output. I would also try other cables, and whatever you're jacking it to..an amp, make sure that works if you plug something else into the same two inputs. I brought my Sansui amp to a gallery a long time ago and I wasn't getting one channel coming in from my cassette deck. What finally worked was toggling my preamp switch on the back of the amp back and forth.

My recent purchase a CZJ 135mm f3.5..at a good price...diaphragm wasn't working...carefully took it apart from rear..took rear lens module out....then cleaned diaphragm with cotton buds lighter fuel and lubed with German brake fluid (my favourite) worked it and dried off with air blower and re- assembled is good and nice zeiss glass too!!

Another good video. You have done a great job. I'm interested to purchase the flektogon 35 now thanks to you. By the way, when you talk about the lenses, I'd like to see them filmed on slow traveling as a movie scene, it would be great. Cheers

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Jean, glad you enjoyed it - I'll try to get some filming in!

Good Evening Nigel, Another superb review, as always. Our Sundays would not seem the same without viewing a posting from Zenography!. Thank you for mentioning Jenny and myself, we are glad that you enjoyed using the f2 Pancolar, and f1.4 Prakticar. I think you are spot on with your descriptions of the characteristics of these two. I have a Biotar also, and find the early Pancolar very similar in rendition. The 1.4 Prakticar, although designed and built by Zeiss Jena, seems to have somehow lost the Zeiss Jena house standard, maybe because it was designed, and built during a different era, I am not sure. I think it needs to be compared with other contempary 1.4 lenses rather than earlier Jena optics perhaps?. If you would still like to review the Exakta VX1000 camera, you are most welcome. I can fit it with the 80mm Biometar lens, so perhaps giving a comparison between it, and the later 80mm Pancolar that you mention in this line up. The Biometar is a much older design, but it could still be interesting. Maybe I can send a later f2 Pancolar with it, for you to shoot in colour. I have also a couple of other interesting cameras you might like to review at some point too. Best wishes. Peter.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Peter, I hope all's well with you and Jenny. It's interesting that the Prakticar 1.4 was designed by CZJ, and you're right, it would probably have been better to compare it to other 1.4s, but it seemed appropriate here as a lens from the old East Germany. I'd love to borrow your VX1000 and the 80 Biometar, and it would be very interesting to shoot the Pancolar you mentioned too. If you wouldn't mind emailing me we can arrange - and many thanks!

I love your videos so much - usually just lurk but you’ve got me excited to buy vintage and now I have a whole weird collection and I love it! I have a request… can you put the name of the lens you’re talking about in text on the video? I get distracted for a second and can’t remember which you’re talking about, and rewinding to find it takes forever since there are no time stamps or slides between lenses etc, the video looks the same from the first second to the last… It really makes it hard!

The best CZJ lenses are those for the Pentacon Six. Especially the 80mm is mindblowing. Not as sharp as the 80mm for Hasselblad, but more pleasant Bokeh, in my opinion. They all work best with film and some pushed black and white film. Shopping tip, look only for near mint condition. Many lenses have haze or even fungus and will perform softer than necessary.

So far I've only tested the Tessar 50/2.8 I love the way it renders colour, but at 2.8 it's a bit too slow, and not that sharp wide open. I would love to try the other CZJ lenses one day though

Hi there Mr Zen. Your channel is quite awesome. I remember a while ago coming across your Zeiss Pancolar 50mm 1.8 review. You said that there were two version. i.e. the Zebra and the later multi coated version. I do believe that are three versions,..... two of them multi coated. I have one that has the "MC" suffix in white as opposed to your example that shows these letters in red. Are they any different at all or are they both the same lens ?. Maybe I could send you my example to test and you could do a comparison.

Nice review ! Have you ever tried the 50mm Zeiss planar cy 1.7 ? How it compares to these 50s

I'm a big fan of your channel and I always choose lenses after I see your videos. Pancolar 80mm f1.8 is expensive but what about CZJ Biometar 80mm f2.8? Is it a good lens? Greetings from Sweden. Gert

Hi there. I was wobdering if you could make a video on the best vintage lenses for video making. That would be very much appreciated. Thanks a lot. I love your videos.

Pancola is a fine lens colour retention is just superb as for the 35mm it's just aqesome

Nigel can you tell us something about adapters , which ones you use and are the more expensive ones better?

This might be the right platform to say that although the M42 screw mount is often attributed to Pentax that is not strictly true M42 with 1mm thread was originally invented by Zeiss and also Pentacon used it too to some degree...later on it was commonly used by Pentax until they too diverged and used there own PK or PKA bayonet mount...just a little clarity from me Nigel... Thank you for all you do!!!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

And thank you Phil, corrections are always appreciated!

My father gave me a distagon 50mm F4 and a sonnar 250mm f5.6 (the steel Moon landing generation ones) those are 6x6 for the hasselblad 500C. I have ordered an adapter for full frame canon. Those need to be armed in order to open the iris, I dont get how to change aperture, I thik there should be a lever of some sort that enable to view depth of field, but until I find that I'm suck wide open... The shots on 6x6 were so immensely sharp that I'm not worried. The weight of the things and the smoothness of the focusing are promising tho.

As another one down in comments said: wait to see Pancolar 135mm. It is a bokeh monster! My copy, at least, have something like 13 or 15 aperture blades, I'm sorry I don't go now to check, as I forget the very number, but anyway. I think I already said here, my 3 lenses from the film times are exactly that CZJ 50mm f 1,8, Pentacon 29mm, and that Pentacon 135mm. First time I mounted it on my Canon 70D, some years ago, and I took an image just to test it and see what bokeh it makes - I was just blown out. In fact, I didn't recognized what wad behind the subject, an kaki fruit, and the picture was took right in my room... Bokeh is just crazy, still very creamy and supersoft. All 3 of them are still in pristine condition, after so many years. Wish the very best to you.

Hi, I love your channel. I have a declicked Flek 35mm 2.4 but have the ball bearings and springs. Do you know where I can find out how to restore to clicked aperture stops? Thanks in advance. Tim

I have or had most of these and loved them all. I had the 2.8 version of the 20mm Flektogon, and I loved using it, but after a while it seemed to lose focus to an extent that it became unusable. I had it repaired, and the guy who fixed it said that this lens is prone to becoming decentered....and it is due to handling. So it should be handled and held at the base and not towards the wide front. After that I was so scared using it that I rather sold it off. For me it really worked for BnW photography. Have you used and reviewed the Meyer Optic lenses? They are also really interesting and good.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't realise it needed such careful handling - I should probably be a little more cautious with this one! I've looked at the Meyer Optik 50 1.8 (which eventually became the Prakticar 50 1.8) - I liked it, and in my camera cupboard is a Meyer Optik Lydith 30mm, that will soon appear on the channel - stay tuned! Thanks for looking in Mia.

@danielmalter3373

2 жыл бұрын

The same is true for the Flektogon 35/2.4. The front assembly is centered using three magget screws that shift the front assembly about. Either it was thought beneficial as being easy to service, or my east German compatriotes could not produce the front assembly to tight enough tolerances for the elements to center "automatically" like they do for pretty much all other lenses I have seen. The problem I have with mine that these screws seem to come off again pretty easily if they have come out once. So after recentering, which is quite a fidgety procedure, it is best to try and fix them with a little bit of glue, which is also what the factory seems to have done.

I'm currently using the 20/2.8, 35/2.4 (both redMC) and 50/1.8 (whiteMC) on my panasonic s1 for video. I love them. Vintage Lens Lab in Hungary even does PL conversion. Not that that matters much to the majority here though 😁

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

As someone who's been involved in film making in the past, I'm very interested in the use of vintage lenses for cinema - although as you say, I think most people who look at these videos are mostly stills shooters. The lenses work much the same for either I guess though! Thanks for looking in.

@philippbergau5868

2 жыл бұрын

I really like your channel and insides into various vintage lenses. In fact you were one of the deciding factors to go for a small Carl Zeiss Jena set.

Awww Nigel... Cant believe you didn't put the CZJ 135mm f3.5 in with these classics. Superb ultra sharp portrait lens with lovely bokeh and downright ultimate value for money.. These are still available for less than £30-£40 for those out there financially challenged... There's an idea for you.. How about a 135mm shoot-off, maybe German Vs Japanese 60's and 70's lenses.. Might be interesting.. Anyway keep up the good work, as someone commented earlier I too look forward to your vids on a sunday night.. : )

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I did mention the 135 at the end, but perhaps I should have given it more time - sorry! It does feature in a couple of my other videos though, so you might want to check the back catalogue. And that's an interesting idea, thanks!

I still have issues with the adaptors. which one are you using with your Sony and the Canon bodies you feature? Do they focus past infinity or is there any misalignment with the infinity on the lens and infinity achieved through focussing the lens?

Another thoroughly enjoyable video, Nigel! I am lucky enough to have most of the CZJ lenses you covered, and I agree that they are wonderful, indeed. The weakest of these lenses is the 135 f/3.5, in my opinion; the close focusing is nice, but it is outclassed by the Tair-11 in sharpness and smoothness of bokeh. One unfortunate thing about CZJ lenses is the fragility of the lettering around the name ring; sometimes I lose the painted infill from several letters when removing the ring. I have had very good luck repainting the lettering; clean the engraving/stamping with alcohol, then apply some enamel paint (usually white) with a small brush, and then use your thumb as a squeegee to remove most of the excess paint. After it dries for a day or two, polish off any unwanted paint using a fine abrasive (such as your toothpaste) on a stiff cloth. Usually, I paint the lettering with the name ring removed. By the way, you can dispense a small amount of spray paint by spraying into a disposable cup.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips John, I really need to give the front ring of my Flek 20 a little TLC. I quite like the CZJ 135, but I agree, it doesn't quite match the Tair. Thanks for looking in!

@miam1074

2 жыл бұрын

I have the Sonnar, and it is the least used lenses. I prefer the Jupiter 37A. A surprisingly good lens, and very under-appreciated. That means that it is easy to find a good copy at a low cost.

To anyone who tries out 120 film for example a Voight lander Bessa 1 a folder a good tip is to try and use a smaller stop on the 105 mm lens simply because those with images larger that 6x6cm film is not guaranteed to lie perfectly flat in the camera maybe f8 for example just saying etc..thanks Nigel...

Jenna. Her beauty has stood the test of time.

@minibuns5397

2 жыл бұрын

“Jena”, as well. Both of these women have stood the test of time.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Their loveliness is unchanged, for sure! Thanks for looking in!

Love your videos, but it’s hard to find the part I’m looking for in a rush when they’re not timestamped or even put in order ☹️

My philosophy on vintage lenses is that they can be a very cost-effective and very interesting means of getting high-quality lenses for use on modern mirrorless cameras. As you’ve highlighted, though, some particular vintage lenses have become desirable and iconic, and their market prices have increased significantly over the last year, some reaching prices as high as or higher than modern auto-focus equivalents. My simple formula is not to go above around £150, and ideally not spend more than £50. Though prices across the board are clearly increasing as more and more jump on the vintage lens thing, there are still amazing, top-quality bargains to be had, eg Konica Hexanon ARs and many Nikkors, especially if you’re happy to clean up and repair neglected ones. But once you’re talking hundreds or even thousands of ££, I’d buy a modern lens for its autofocus convenience and generally much better optical design and coatings.

@myblueandme

2 жыл бұрын

iam from India. Here someone is charging 360 USD For carl zeiss JENA DDR flektogon 35mm /2.8 (including lens correction adapter). After reading you comment iam rejecting this offer.

@MitchellMillennial

2 жыл бұрын

thats kind of silly, there is a very specific reason vintage lenses are going up in price. Modern video cameras don't have the same ability as film cinema cameras for using different film stocks. That means that the only way for filmmakers to give their footage a specific visual "style" is with lenses. With every modern lens manufacturer aiming at "perfection" modern lenses don't have much in the way of a signature in regards to color/flare/out of focus area. Thats why sets of vintage primes are skyrocketing, cheap full frame cinema cameras are pushing the demand for these kinds of lenses

@robtweed1955

2 жыл бұрын

@@MitchellMillennial From the position of a videographer you are probably correct, but if, like me, you’re interested in vintage lenses as a cheap source of potentially high quality lenses for stills photography, then I don’t think my position is too silly.

@MitchellMillennial

2 жыл бұрын

@@robtweed1955 I'm speaking purely from an economic standpoint, if you are looking for an inexpensive source of good optics, the Chinese manufacturers are actually making really decent quality stuff. Stuff the problem is the build quality and variation can be spotty along with something that's a little bit more important for video being color consistency across a range of lenses.

@sclogse1

2 жыл бұрын

Otherwise known as the Fuji 16mm 1.4.

TTartisans just came out with a 23 mm F1.4 for apsc and looks like a Jena copy, any experience with it, curious how it compares

What a beautiful collection you have !!! I love zeiss lenses too but some are too expensive. The 80mm f1.8 for instance (a Nikon ai F2 85mm is probably more reasonable). On my side I also got a 24mm very similar to your 20.mm f4 with an exacta mount. Their minimum focus distance and their onctuosity of focus ring are really a plus. I love your channel which makes us discover some « new old » lenses very interesting. Thanks for that.

Hi there! I have a Jena lens for which there doesn't seem to be much information out there. I remembered this video on the Jena series but mine isn't mentioned, though I'm sure there must be many others too. It's the Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Macro-Prakticar 55mm F/2.8 MC (PB mount). Have you ever had the chance to play with it, or even heard of it? It's the only Zeiss I've ever handled and would like to know how it compares to its brethren :P I enjoy your videos, by the way. They're a good watch as I laze away on Sundays :)

Now I'm not sure if we are talking about the same lens (not too much sources) but I was told that VEB Pentacon at some point produced some sort of prototype camera on the occasion of some celebration, which was fitted with the 50mm f1,4. Apparently, that combo was amazing, all of them was given either to officials or workers of the VEB Pentacon, but only 5000 of those was ever made. And by the way, those damn hipsters will eventually drive prices for all vintage lenses sky high...

Any thoughts on the Zeiss Jena Flektogon f/4 25mm? Seems to a gem also- you turned me on to Vintage Zeiss, i have all that on your list- they are truly Special

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

The 25 f4 is another very special lens - not the cheapest, but if you can afford it, go for it!

@seventeendegree

2 ай бұрын

You should take a look at Josef Koudelkas work. He took world famous photos in 1968 during the Prague revolution, with the Flek 25 f4 and 35mm 2.8. Tri-X at 800 will get you close.

-The 50mm 1.8 is my absolute favorite lens to shoot with on my 5D Mk III -The 135mm 3.5 is my absolute favorite lens to shoot with on my M4/3 camera Not mentioned in the video but: -I have the 20mm 2.8 but it doesn't play well with my 5D, particularly when I try to use an ND filter. I get really awful vignetting across nearly the entire bottom third of the frame so I tend to not shoot with it. -I also have an 80mm 2.8 biometar and I absolutely hate it. I'm wondering if I might've received a bad copy so I started using it as a reverse macro but now it doesn't even allow me to do that. When it did work as a reverse macro, it worked beautifully though. -I also have a CZJ 12.5mm 2.0 and I'm thinking about buying a Pentax Q to shoot with it My overall goal is to collect the entire CZJ set, including eventually the horrendously expensive Spiegelobjektiv 1000mm 5.6 that I'd only ever use to shoot the moon once 😅

@sclogse1

2 жыл бұрын

I think Leni Riefenstahl was buried with that Spiegelobjectiv. So, for the price of a shovel and a ticket...

Would love to know your opinion about Contax lenses and how they compare to the jenas

@RobinParmar

2 ай бұрын

They are far more consistent and better quality but won't give you that swirly bokeh... which I dislike anyway. The best of them are FAR more expensive than their DDR cousins.

Just an additional thought, Nigel. You talk about the colour and the saturation from these lenses. Obviously you are using them on your Sony A7 and also your Fuji X series. Is there any difference between the 2 bodies? What film simulations are you setting in the Fuji? Are you shooting RAW? Are the settings in jpeg "flat"? Maybe a supplementary on those questions would help clarify? As I said, just a thought.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the thought George, I'll keep it in mind for future videos. Hope all's well with you - and by the way I'll be looking more fully at your adaptors very soon!

Is that a 21,600 beat watch movement I can hear in the microphone? (360BPM)

Hi hope this reaches your well , Cindy please recommend and brilliant 35mm or 28mm to fit my x trans 1 sensor under £50 Thanks in advance Have you used a Tamron 02B 28mm f/2.5 Wide Angle Lens ?

In fact, not all of the early Pancolar zebras are radioactive. I got a copy of it, with a serial number above 9 million, and it isn't radioactive. They made the zebra versions of these lenses back then only up to serial 855xxx or something with these glasses, the later zebra ones aren't radioactive anymore.

Hello Nigel....I recently got a Fed 3 for my son as a present and it got him interested in photography. Do you have any recommendations for a camera body that would allow us to enjoy these CZJ lenses?

@caw25sha

2 жыл бұрын

Is the Fed M39? Maybe you could get an adapter.

@khairulnizam5425

2 жыл бұрын

@@caw25sha The FED is an L39 mount but I am really looking for an SLR. I don't think an adapter + lens combo would engage the rangefinder cam mechanism to allow rangefinder focus.

Again me 😂 what cam Did you take for the video to make the review's?

I have vintage carl zeiss jena tessar 1:4.5 f=36cm. I don't know if it's still usable or not. Maybe you can help me with some advice. Where can I discuss about it? I'm from Indonesia

The DDR and Soviet lenses were really well made. I sold off my Pentacon 29mm/f2.8 and my Tessar 50/f2.8, really not my cup of tea both. But I dearly keep my Zebra Flektogon 35mm/f2.8, Pentacon 50mm/1.8, Helios 44M-4 58mm/f2 and MC Sonnar 135mm/f3.5. I really don't need more M42 glass other than these lenses, but I do need a better body than the Zenit 12XP (notorious for tearing film) I've had since childhood. Ideally a Bessaflex, but there always seem to be more pressing matters than a fully mechanical jewel M42 body for me. But first thing, first I need to have these lenses cleaned and re-lubed, since they have had a good use in their time and also have spent quite some time in front of my old Oly E-410.

@mikafoxx2717

2 жыл бұрын

I would suggest you get one of the Pentax cameras. Any of the S series through to the spotmatics are excellent value for money. You can sometimes pick one up with a 50mm 1.4 on it for less than the cost of the lens itself. Sell the lens and you've got yourself a really nice camera for free. Or keep it, it's one of the best.

@andreicio69

2 жыл бұрын

I also recommend Ricoh Singlex II or its older brother Singlex TLS as a very well built and reliable M42 body.

Good time, thank you, lol, love you :)

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Hello is the 35 2.4 flectogon with red color mc ?

Nigel, you certainly know how to intrigue your viewers with lenses few have ever seen. Do you know if any of these lenses can be mounted to digital cameras and still preserve aperture function? Also, I hear that the M42 mount doesn't allow for infinity focus on Nikon F, but I'm not up to date on all the fine details.

@myblueandme

2 жыл бұрын

with adapter with correction lens they will achieve infinity. but will degrade image quality very much.

@Lawman212

2 жыл бұрын

@@myblueandme Thanks for the information Ullib. I've been a Nikon shooter forever, but I"ve always envied how easily off brand lenses adapt to other brands of cameras. I'm considering getting a separate digital body just for lens experiments. I would love to check out the Pancolars.

@myblueandme

2 жыл бұрын

@@Lawman212 same story here. Infact no vintage lens can achieve infinity on Nikons F mount. Its very frustrating. Iam planning to change to Sony.

@myblueandme

2 жыл бұрын

@@Lawman212 few days back i purchased very expensive adapter for Helios to F mount. The picture quality was like of a toy phone. I wasted my money, energy and time.

@Lawman212

2 жыл бұрын

@@myblueandme That's too bad. It's so irritating when optics are useless. What do you think is the best cheap digital body for the Pancolars? Canon maybe?

I do like the blur on the CJZ 80. But I think it's a bit out of my budget. The Flektogon 20 is the one of these I'd like to get most, I think.

@arcanics1971

2 жыл бұрын

Nice bloopers too!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

A bit out of mine too - a beautiful lens though and I'm glad to have had the chance to shoot it! The Flek 20 is a gem in itself though!

Very interesting to see them still around. (It's not the end of the world or anything but the "Z" in "Zeiss" is pronounced as "z" in "pizza" or "Mozart".)

Carl Zeiss Jena lenses are great optics, the quality of them is a testament to the workforce at the Jena plant who knew they would need to be at their very best to survive in Post War East Germany.

I have a Flecktogon 50mm/F4 and an 80mm Biotar 2.8, both for Pentacon six TL from Jena. Anyone interested. Both are in very good condition.

Zeiss East Germany. Considered second rate by some. Unfair as they are pretty good. I wouldn't say they are up to Pentax. If you can buy them at a reasonable price its fine. It's the Zeiss name that confuses the issue, making them more expensive than they should be.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

They seem to be more expensive than most of their contemporaries - the Zeiss name probably has something to do with it, although the optics I think do the rest! Thanks for looking in Neil, hope all's well with you.

And links to a real good lineage type web resource? I looked at some m42 lenses a long time ago and there were many Zeiss variations. I didn't know how they were related in any way.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

For a comprehensive catalogue of M42 lenses, you might try looking here: m42lens.com/ Hope that helps!

@killpop8255

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 Humm funny it does not list any Zeiss 135mm. I was just wanting to know what the various model names indicate like Jena, Flektogon etc.

Hang on, in your video on your favourite 50mm lenses of 2021 you ranked the Canon FD 50/1.4 above the Pancolor…have you changed your mind since?

I know this is apples and pears, but honestly the 80/1.8 is double the price of a EF85mm f1.2 which has its own charm as well as the insane blade of focus, with its early 90s looks.

@zenography7923

Жыл бұрын

The 80 1.8 is a great lens, perhaps the nicest I've ever shot - I don't think it's worth the prices currently asked though, at least not in and of itself. I think it's rarity that's made prices climb as they have - unfortunately!

Zebra Pancolar 50/1.8 isn't radioactive as far as I know, the radioactive is only the very early ones and 50/1.4.

@princeharbinger

2 жыл бұрын

The early rare 8 aperture blade of the 50mm F/1.8 is radioactive.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I did read that the zebra version was radioactive - it's difficult to get definite information on this stuff sometimes, but thanks for the correction!

@princeharbinger

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 The early 8 aperture blade zebra is radioactive. I have a copy myself. It's a great lens.

@studioDW107

2 жыл бұрын

Just checked my old zebra 50/1.8 and relieved to find it only has 6 blades - no need to find a lead box to keep it in then!

@princeharbinger

2 жыл бұрын

@@studioDW107 The radiation they emit is harmless. You get way more from your cell phone and cell towers. Lenses with thorium are more radioactive than this CZJ. The CZJ lens was produced with a rare-earth compound called lanthanum it was extensively used in carbon lighting applications, especially by the motion picture industry for studio lighting and projection. Lanthanum (III) oxide is used in some camera lenses. It’s added to reduce dispersion and improve the clarity of images.

У меня есть в отличном состоянии МС Pancolar 1.8/50 и MC Pentacon 1.8/50. Это хорошие объективы, но не очень. Но цена на вторичном рынке Москвы этих объективов совсем небольшая.

@russian_thinker

2 жыл бұрын

Я считаю, что некоторые модели объективов "Гелиос" будут поинтереснее.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Объективы Helios - одни из моих фаворитов. Мне особенно нравятся ранние модели 13 Blade 44, которые в моем тесте превзошли CZJ Biotar, на основе которых они были созданы! Я не знал, что эти линзы в России дешевые, было бы неплохо как-нибудь съездить и посмотреть, что я могу найти!

@russian_thinker

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 , цены на объективы Helios в России начинаются с 500₽ ($7). 13-ти лепестковый Helios-44 очень популярный и может стоить в районе $150.

My 135mm f3.5... CZJ (not a zebra one) M42 cost me £15... I know they go for more money... seen them at £75..!!

Onze of thé best Carl zeiss jean Lens is thé 200 mm f2,8 in praktica b mont

I think the Contex Carl Zeiss 50 1.7 is probably a better lens in my humble view is better than the Pancola…. Both are really nice but the Contex just has something..

praktca 1,4 50mm is from Meyer Görlitz. The Pancolar 1,8 80mm costs 600DM in West- Germany in the eoghtis. The competitor cost 3x more! Why? Praktica had only cheap bodies. So nobody bought this lens. At the time of the wall (Mister Zenography knows this time....I'd lived at the time in Dortmund, later in Berlin Moabit...allways in the british zone...😆) Pentacon and Zeiss Jena sells there products for low prices because they need money.

Also why didn't the PLANAR T* 50MM F1.7 PRIME land here? sorry c n p on caps.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Because it's not a CZJ lens. Thanks for looking in!

Give us a tune.

Can you play the Ukelele next time for us? 🙃🪕

As an Olympus user, would not entertain vintage glass, manual focus, crop factor etc. In my experience, Olympus do not make a bad optic, ok, expensive weather sealed pro lenses better. However, with a modicom of post, pushed to tell the diff, now early M4/3 glass adapted with electrical connection,s auto focus etc, that,s worth exploring.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I kinda like vintage glass - but not everyone's cup of tea I don't suppose. Thanks for looking in!

Finest vintage lenses ever made are Leica M39 and Leica M Lenses. Pre War Zeiss, MF Nikkors, Canon FD, Minolta Rokkors, Olympus OM Pentax M AP 67 Mamiya RB 67, etc are astonishing too. Zeiss Jena lenses are nice, but finest ever made? Come on...

Unfortunately the golden age of vintage lenses is over. They became very expensive.

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure you're right about this. Asking prices for some lenses have increased over recent years, so if buying online it's better to stick to auctions, where prices are MUCH cheaper. And even though some lenses have risen in price, many, many vintage lenses are still available at affordable prices - the Jupiter 8, Helios 44, Pentax 55mm f2 (or f1.8 - same lens), several Olympus Zuikos - I could go on. Wonderful vintage lenses still abound, many at very cheap prices!

Uke

@PeterDempsey-yarglags

2 жыл бұрын

No sofa is complete without one. 🤘

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed!

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

True!

@tolgaturgut6530

2 жыл бұрын

confessions

Do not confuse Jena optic to ZEISS optic ! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG

@zenography7923

2 жыл бұрын

Different companies indeed, but both could produce optics of similar quality - as far as my testing has found anyway!

@cameraprepper7938

2 жыл бұрын

@@zenography7923 Tried on which camera ?