Carl Zeiss Jena Biogon 3.5cm f2.8 T

[darinwc]

I just purchased one of these lenses. Unfortunately it does not fit my Contax iia. Apparently it is am east German version of this lens.
Did Jena ever make a camera for this lens? Or will it fit the Kiev?
There seems to be very little information about this lens. Is it the same as the pre war biogon? Or a different design altogether..?

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If my memory serves me, the lens you have is a pre war lens and won't fit post war bodies. Or it is a Russian fake. Zeiss made some lenses that would fit your IIa. The Planar for sure, and I think there is another. I use to have a Biometar made in East Germany that was a good lens, but I guess they are rare and cost a few bucks now. I probably shouldn't have sold it. It might be cheaper to buy a II pre war body than to replace your lens. Every lens fits the pre war bodies.

By the way, the Russian 35mm won't fit the IIa either I don't think, which is a shame because it is a good lens. Again, going off memory from a long time ago....

Cosina made a modern Voigtlander 35mm Skopar that would fit your Contax. Might be hard to find one though. Cameraquest was selling them cheap a few years ago.

I love Contaxes. Back in the 90s I had six or so bodies. I wish I never sold them all off. I only have a IIIa now that is all beat to heck and a pre war 1.5 Sonnar that I couldn't sell because it is one of the finest lenses I have ever had! Zeiss knew what they were doing.... If the Contaxes had a wind lever and framelines Leica would not have survived.

Hope that helps you.

 

[darinwc]

No. It is definitely post war.
It is not a Russian fake.
I've been digging some more and it appears the Zeiss Jena is a prewar design, but with the T coating. The Zeiss Opton Biogon was actually redesigned to fit the Contax iia and iiia.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

What is the serial number on it?

 

[Fixcinater]

I have one of the Optons that fits the IIIa. No problems there, I know that doesn't help your situation.