Zeiss Jena 70-210 f/4.5-5.6 for Canon FD

Anyone know anything about this lens? I'm sure the Leica-ites would tell you

that Canon's lenses couldn't possibly match the optical quality, but I'm

wondering if anyone using Canon has actually tried one? I've seen one in a

local shop for a very reasonable price and I'm curious to try out some of

these pompous German optiks...

I'm not sure, but from the focal length and aperture standard, I have a feeling this lens could be a rebranded model from another company (there was a point in time when the Zeiss name was applied to a variety of lenses in order to keep up with OEM Japanese competition).

Well... I have a 70-210. They're not pompous - they're mostly rebadged Sigmas resold by an often under-rated East German camera company. Have a look <A HREF="http://www.praktica-users.com/lens/blenses/pvp4.5-5.6_70-210.html">here</A>. I've had it for years and haven't used it much because it's a big, heavy lump. On mine, you zoom by pulling it out. It has depth of focus indication, which is nice. But it's nothing special, at least in my opinion. Zeiss Jena did some nice prime lenses - like the 20mm/2.8. Spend your money on one of them or a 35/2.4 or a 135mm/3.5 - if you can find any of them in M42 fit.

Genuine Carl Zeiss lenses should not be confused with Carl Zeiss Jena lenses that are Zeiss in name only. That lens would sell for and have half the performance of the Canon FD 80-200 f/4L.