Carl Zeiss 15cm f/3.5 Triotar

-chrille- · Sep 13, 2024

Anyone in here have specifications for Carl Zeiss 15cm f/3.5 Triotar lens?

Does it cover a 5x7 format?

Ron (Netherlands) · Sep 13, 2024

Have one (in below picture 2nd one on the left on the black plate); its a triplet and it covers 9x12 cm plates, and therefore should also cover 5x4 inch plates; it doesn't cover 13x18 cm plates and 5x7 inch plates.

Vintage German lenses by Ron (Netherlands), on Flickr

Look for lenses as from 18cm but preferably as from 21cm (e.g. the Carl Zeiss Tessar f 4,5 21cm; like the first one on the right side of the picture)

JPD · Sep 13, 2024

21cm is a common normal for 13x18, 5x7.

-chrille- · Sep 13, 2024

Thank you, Ron

Does it have that swirly bokeh shot wide open as other triplet lenses usual have?

Do you know what prices such a lens sells for these days?

I use a 210mm f/5.6 on 5x7. Looking for a faster lens for wet plate full body shots.

Ron (Netherlands) · Sep 13, 2024

The Tessar 21cm was also made in f 3.5 but it is quite rare ....about USD 400....
but f 4.5 gives also a great bokeh ...

the triotar does not give a swirly bokeh, but is rather 'flat' (and of course the Tessar anastigmat doesn't provide for swirly bokeh)

Further, please note that lenses with smaller apertures provide greater coverage: f6.3 provides much more coverage than a f3.5 lens

-chrille- · Sep 13, 2024

Thanks and what a beautiful lens collection you have

Ron (Netherlands) · Sep 13, 2024

Thanks and very welcome....here is some additional info on the Triotar and other Zeiss lenses from one of the Zeiss catalogues:

and an other page on different Tessar lenses:

So here you can read that even a 21cm f3,5 Triotar doesn't cover 7x5inch plates whereas the f4,5 Tessar does cover....

JPD · Sep 13, 2024

The Triotar on my Rolleicords have a mild swirl at the largest apertures, but far from a Petzval.

blee1996 · Sep 13, 2024

The cult Trioplan 100/2.8 for 35mm film has the donut shaped highlights, which some like while some hate. Do the large format triplets share the same optical traits?

-chrille- · Sep 13, 2024

Ron: really like the use of codewords in the old Zeiss data sheets Thanks for posting.

choiliefan · Sep 13, 2024

Those code words were used to simplify when ordering goods by cable, or so I've read.

Ron (Netherlands) · Sep 14, 2024

Yep, was usual in those days, also Leitz used codewording for all their products

-chrille- · Sep 17, 2024

Going from a relative modern f/5.6 lens to a vintage f/4.5 lens, will that give me a gain in brightness or will the differences in multi coating on lens elements etc equal them out?

Ian Grant · Sep 17, 2024

Yes it will be brighter, but lower contrast.

Ian

-chrille- · Oct 5, 2024

I bought a Triotar 15cm f/3.5 and will try it for 4x5 collodion wet plate portraits. It is a heavy used lens but lens elements are in good condition. I got it for 88 euros so it is worth a try.

Two questions.

Ron: can you identify the year of manufacturing using the serial number?

Is it safe to use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the outer lens surfaces? Not sure if the lens is coated but I might see some blue reflections in strong light.

loccdor · Oct 5, 2024

I find if there's a little oil from fingerprints on a lens isopropyl sometimes just spreads it around. The Zeiss wipes work better.

Those codewords are something else! First I've seen of it.

loccdor · Oct 5, 2024

blee1996 said:
The cult Trioplan 100/2.8 for 35mm film has the donut shaped highlights, which some like while some hate. Do the large format triplets share the same optical traits?

It's not every triplet, and doesn't need to be a triplet, it's an effect of lenses in general that are over-corrected for spherical aberration.

Ian Grant · Oct 7, 2024

loccdor said:
It's not every triplet, and doesn't need to be a triplet, it's an effect of lenses in general that are over-corrected for spherical aberration.

I checked some 120 E4 portraits made with an early Rolleicord and Triotar, and I was working fairly wide aperture, there's no swirly effects, donuts, etc. Just a nice out of focus softness.

Ian

JPD · Oct 7, 2024

Ian Grant said:
I checked some 120 E4 portraits made with an early Rolleicord and Triotar, and I was working fairly wide aperture, there's no swirly effects, donuts, etc. Just a nice out of focus softness.

This was taken with a Rolleicord II with the Triotar, and there is an ever so slight swirl.

https://live.staticflickr.com/1303/4682846489_ea9a6bc126_b.jpg

Carl Zeiss 15cm f/3.5 Triotar

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