Help: info on Zeiss Jena Apo-tessar 450 mm lens
M.A. Martin
I just bought a Carl Zeiss Jena Apo-Tessar 1:9 450 mm lens (in barrel)
and would really appreciate it if someone could give me some info on the
lens. I'm just starting out in 8x10 photography, and thought this
would be a good lens for a variety of uses (landscapes, portrature).
Specifically, I'd like to know:
1) Is this an East German lens? The seller claimed it was West German,
but I thought that "Jena" meant East German, lesser quality manufacture.
2) What is the general level of quality for this lens? What f-stop is
it sharpest at?
3) The lens has moderate cleaning marks (fine scratches) on the front
element; how much will this affect the photos? Can they be removed?
If so; by whom and how much would it cost?
4) What is the lens worth?
5) Where could I get a cheap shutter for the lens?
Thank you very much (in advance)
M.A.
Martin
M.A. Martin
Richard Knoppow wrote:
> "M.A. Martin" <m...@REMOVETOREPLYunixg.ubc.ca> wrote:
>
> >I just bought a Carl Zeiss Jena Apo-Tessar 1:9 450 mm lens (in barrel)
> >and would really appreciate it if someone could give me some info on the
> >lens. I'm just starting out in 8x10 photography, and thought this
> >would be a good lens for a variety of uses (landscapes, portrature).
> >Specifically, I'd like to know:
> >
> >1) Is this an East German lens? The seller claimed it was West German,
> >but I thought that "Jena" meant East German, lesser quality manufacture.
> >
> Jena indicates it was made in the original Zeiss plant in Jena
> which was in the eastern zone after the war. The West German Zeiss is
> in Oberkochen. This lens is likely pre-war. Post its serial number
> and I can get some idea of the date.
>
<snip>
Thank you very much for all of the helpful information. I really
appreciate it!
The lens serial number is: Nr. 2063300, and on the side of the barrel
R 74,5 is stamped.
I'll certainly look for one of the packard shutters (if anyone has one
for sale used, please let me know.
Thanks again,
Best regards,
Mont.
Richard Knoppow
"M.A. Martin" <m...@REMOVETOREPLYunixg.ubc.ca> wrote:
>I just bought a Carl Zeiss Jena Apo-Tessar 1:9 450 mm lens (in barrel)
>and would really appreciate it if someone could give me some info on the
>lens. I'm just starting out in 8x10 photography, and thought this
>would be a good lens for a variety of uses (landscapes, portrature).
>Specifically, I'd like to know:
>
>1) Is this an East German lens? The seller claimed it was West German,
>but I thought that "Jena" meant East German, lesser quality manufacture.
>
Jena indicates it was made in the original Zeiss plant in Jena
which was in the eastern zone after the war. The West German Zeiss is
in Oberkochen. This lens is likely pre-war. Post its serial number
and I can get some idea of the date.
>2) What is the general level of quality for this lens? What f-stop is
>it sharpest at?
These are Apo process lenses, the main rival to the famous Goerz
Artar. They were widely used for process work, high quality enlarging
and for commercial color photography. They are _very_ high quality
lenses. Lenses of this sort are generally best at about f/22. It
should have somewhat greater coverage than the Apo-Artar. This one
should cover an 8x10 at infinity with some over. This lens is
corrected for 1:1 to 1:3 optimum but should perform well at infinity
when stopped down.
>3) The lens has moderate cleaning marks (fine scratches) on the front
>element; how much will this affect the photos? Can they be removed?
>If so; by whom and how much would it cost?
>
If the scratches are few and slight they won't affect the
performance too much. The main effect is to cause some scattering
that lowers contrast. Scratches can't really be removed, polishing
the surface to remove them results in changing the figure of the
surface and compromizing the lens performance. If this is a late
coated lens the coating may be scratched rather than the glass. The
front element can be recoated but it will be somewhat expensive.
>4) What is the lens worth?
Hard to know. I don't see too many of these lenses for sale so
don't have a feel for the going price. The damaged glass would keep
the value down.
>5) Where could I get a cheap shutter for the lens?
No such for a real shutter. Steve Grimes, who posts here remounts
lenses and can give you a definite idea. skgr...@aol.com
You can also use a simple back shutter like the famous Packard
shutter. They are available new, from Professional Photographic
Products Inc. A call to them will get you a catalogue. 1 800 257 8541
They are cheaper than a new standard shutter but are limited to a
single speed of about 1/20th second and time exposures. I don't see
many used ones any more, only a few years ago they were readily
available cheap.
> Thank you very much (in advance)
>
> M.A.
>Martin
>
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, Ca.
dick...@ix.netcom.com
Richard Knoppow
"M.A. Martin" <m...@REMOVETOREPLYunixg.ubc.ca> wrote:
>
>
>Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
>> "M.A. Martin" <m...@REMOVETOREPLYunixg.ubc.ca> wrote:
>>
>> >I just bought a Carl Zeiss Jena Apo-Tessar 1:9 450 mm lens (in barrel)
>> >and would really appreciate it if someone could give me some info on the
>> >lens. I'm just starting out in 8x10 photography, and thought this
>> >would be a good lens for a variety of uses (landscapes, portrature).
>> >Specifically, I'd like to know:
>> >
>> >1) Is this an East German lens? The seller claimed it was West German,
>> >but I thought that "Jena" meant East German, lesser quality manufacture.
>> >
>> Jena indicates it was made in the original Zeiss plant in Jena
>> which was in the eastern zone after the war. The West German Zeiss is
>> in Oberkochen. This lens is likely pre-war. Post its serial number
>> and I can get some idea of the date.
>>
>
><snip>
>
> Thank you very much for all of the helpful information. I really
>appreciate it!
>
> The lens serial number is: Nr. 2063300, and on the side of the barrel
>R 74,5 is stamped.
>
> I'll certainly look for one of the packard shutters (if anyone has one
>for sale used, please let me know.
>
> Thanks again,
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>Mont.
The Zeiss serial numbers I am using come from the book _Rollei
Report 1_, Claus Prochnow, 1993, Stuttgart, Lindermans Verlag, which
is an historical series about Rolleiflex cameras. The information
seems quite reliable. According to this list the lens was made
sometime around 1937. I don't know what the numbers on the side mean.