CZ Jena Tessar 50mm F2.8 info needed

[nikkorman]

Hi,

Came across this lens with the following markings around the inside of the barrel "C.Z. Jena, Nr. *****, Tessar 1:2.8, F-50mm"

Trying to get some info., year of manufacture, historical info, type of CZ lens, etc.

The front element is very recessed. See attached photos.

 

[Ian Grant]

Err it's a Tessar, one of CZJ's older lenses designed first made in 1902 but re-computed as glass and manufacturing techniques improved. It's the most copied of all lens designs the Xenar, Skopar, Ektar etc are all Tessar's.

It looks like it's off an early Praktica/Contax, pre the Prakticamat and Nova's, assuming it's M42 mount, otherwise it could be off a Praktina.

There's a lot written about Tessar's all easily accessible via the Web.

Ian

 

[elekm]

This also could be from an Exakta. Without seeing the bottom of the lens, there's no way of knowing.

And without the serial number, it's difficult to provide an exact date.

However, it appears that is M42 mount. From the photo, it appears the serial number is in the low 31000, which probably would place it in the early to mid-1950s, which is purely a guess.

It also has a light allow body and was made in East Germany.

If you ever want a year of manufacture, it's essential to provide a complete serial number.

The Tessar is one of the older lens design from Carl Zeiss and was copied often through the years by German and Japanese camera makers (including Nikon), as were many Zeiss designs.

 

[nikkorman]

This also could be from an Exakta. Without seeing the bottom of the lens, there's no way of knowing.

It is a m42 mount. Seller also had a Praktica FX2 body.

The Number on the lens is 31893

Looks like this is fairly common lens, apparently they came in different variations.

 

[Ian Grant]

It was a big selling "common" lens as an M42 mount version however these early versions are aren't very common at all, so in good condition it's more desirable if someone needs to match a lens to a camera of that era.

Ian

 

[nikkorman]

The lens is a "preset" also which makes it even more interesting.

 

[Anscojohn]

The later Tessars had a red-colored T which indicated a coated lens. A red T is lacking on this lens. Pre-set diapragm on an M42 Tessar for a Practika FX-2 would, I believe, indicate early 1950s manufacture.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Leica Elmax and Elmar are also versions of Tessar. Its a excellent lens and I advise you to find a body to it from East German cameras and use another 40 years. You can have a look to my gallery for Elmar 50. Nikon copied and sold 9 million copies of Elmar because there was no Leica patent in Japan.
You can say this lens made Nikon , Nikon.

Umut

 

[nikkorman]

CJZ

Could have picked up a FX2 along with this lens but opted not to. The only film body I am using these days is a Yashica Electro. The CZJ is adapted to an EOS D.