large format Carl Zeiss lenses?

[Jim Moore]

It seems to me like there are some good deals out there for Barrel Mount Carl Zeiss lenses.

Am I wrong to assume that the quality would be on par with the Zeiss reputation?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[Deniz]

i dont have alot of info on lenses but on the current issue of viewcamera mag, Kerry Thalmann talks about tessar design zeiss lenses.
you may want to check that out.

cheers

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The Zeiss lenses in barrel for LF are likely to be either pre-WWII or CZJ lenses. Arne Croell wrote a two part article on the CZJ lenses for _View Camera_. They made a very neat looking fast wide angle lens called the "Lamegon" of recent vintage.

West German Zeiss made some excellent fast lenses for 4x5". I have the 135/3.5 Planar, which is outstandingly sharp, fast and smooth, though coverage isn't so wide--it's designed mainly for use at wide apertures with a rangefinder, when camera movements aren't as important. They also made a 75mm Biogon and a 240mm Sonnar, and there was a comparable set for 6x9 (53mm Biogon, 100/2.8 Planar, 180mm Sonnar). The 4x5 set was for Linhof (usually Technika and Aero Technika), and the 6x9 set you can find for Linhof Technika 23 (and maybe some of the Linhof 220's) and Graflex XL.

They also made a late run of the 135/3.5 Planar with T* coating of about 100 lenses aimed at Japanese collectors. These usually sell for over $2000, and I think Kerry Thalmann has owned and sold two of them on eBay.

 

[acroell]

Most of the barrel lenses showing up on ebay and elsewhere were made by Carl Zeiss Jena in the GDR, not the West-German Zeiss, but they are certainly up to the Zeiss reputation in quality. The Lamegons David mentioned are really rare birds, most common are the Tessars in focal lengths from 135 to 360mm, followed by the Apo-Germinar process lenses. Note that practically none of the barrel versions can be mounted into a shutter without some machining, if possible at all. If you have a behind the lens shutter (Sinar-Copal, Packard) they are great buys.

 

[Jim Moore]

As always quick replies with great information... Thanks all.

If you have a behind the lens shutter (Sinar-Copal, Packard) they are great buys.

I have a Packard shutter for my Dorff and that's why I was asking about these lenses.

Jim

 

[juan]

I have a Protar that's probably about 90-years old. It's not supposed to cover 8x10, but stopped down to f22 or more, it covers well and gives room for some movements. It's good and sharp and I like the negatives I get with it.
juan