Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50 f/2.8

<p>Hello,<br>

I have a lens that was my grandfathers it is a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50 f/2.8. Can anyone tell me what this lens is... I think it as M 42 mount for Praktica. But I am not sure... I just thought there might be someone here who could help...</p>

<p>thanks<br>

matt rickman<br>

colorado</p>

<p>Sounds like a classic Praktica / M42 screw mount Tessar. I have two of these little fellows, and they stand the test of time very well.</p>

 

<p>I recently got one and the focus ring is really stiff, any help on how to loosen it up? It came with a praktica parts camera that was more parts than camera.</p>

 

<p>This may help : http://oomz.net/tessar/</p>

<p>I've done both of mine, which had the same problem. It's not a difficult job (believe me, if I can do it, it's not difficult!), it just requires being methodical, and careful. I worked in an upturned box lid lined with a cotton towel, to stop screws falling off and bouncing into obvlivion. You'll probably need to clean the focussing helicals very thoroughly, as the old grease will have lots of dirt and fine metal dust (I used methylated spirits), and regrease them using a silicone grease. I got a tube of that from an electronics supply shop, and there's enough in the tube to last about a century. The helicals come apart in two bits, with a reverse thread. Be very careful to note the orientation of the two parts when they come apart. It's a multi-start helical, and I think there are about seventeen start points, of which only one will work correctly. I got caught out the first time (guess how many I had to try), but the second time, I was careful and got the threads re-engaged at the right start point first time. My Tessars now work very smoothly.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>See this page for info on various mfr. lenses which fit the Exakta & Praktica cameras: http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/Zeiss%20page.htm</p>

<p>The thing is.. it is not a screw mount... </p>

<p>Here are a couple of photos of it:<br>

<img src="http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/mattrickman/zeiss_front.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /><br>

<img src="http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/mattrickman/zeiss_back.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></p>

<p>I am going to check out those sites right now.. </p>

<p>I don't know the camera myself, but I wonder if that is intended to fit the Pentacon Six medium format SLR, as I think that has a bayonet fit. You photo certainly does not show the characteristic external diaphragm stop down coupler for the shutter release of the Exakta.</p>

 

<p>I am not sure if this would be a medium format lens.. it is pretty small. The bayonet mount at the widest is 36mm and lens itself is 45mm from front to back.</p>

<p>That's Exakta mount, will fit Exakta and Topcon cameras.</p>

 

Seems like John's nailed it! Hard to see if all three cuts are there. There isn't the standard hanging shutter release to one side, but that could be only for later models that were partially or fully "automatic", It's there to stop-down the apeture and at the same time trip the mirror/shutter. Early versions wouldn't need it as they were not integrated to the aperture. Cool lens .. seems quite recessed for a Tessar !

<p>I have such a lens; it is in Exakta mount.</p>

I got to speculating about other models that carried Zeiss Lenses... I found this photo.

Doesn't have that interesting "red" symbol. But I thought this might be possible.

I read that the Braun mount is a screw mount so that probably eliminates it too!

Just an idea?<div></div>

<p>Thanks for the info Alex! I appreciate it.</p>

<p>Yes it does look like an exakta mount; the pin will set into the cleft on the clip in the camera mount base and lock into place. I have some of these lenses. But the focus of the picture posted is a bit fuzzy. So please verify the dimensions before pressing it into a camera. This type of Tessar was made mostly for the Exakta and the Praktica [M42 thread]. Any other fit would be very, very rare.</p>

<p>It looks like a pre-set diaphragm lens; so it won't have the external automatic control. You have to press the ring up front a little and set the diphragm to the desired stop. Then you can turn the diaphragm ring between fully open and the pre-set opening. That was a convenience added to the earlier stop-down mechanism. JDM von Weinberg had posted an explanation of the progress made in aperture mechanisms a few weeks ago in PNet.</p>

<p>Hi Al V! the lens may not have been used for a long time; the grease may have stiffened. If it is otherwise clean try working it back and forth for a while and warm it up in the mild winter sun by the window. It should loosen.<br>

If it is still too stiff you can open the back and remove the rear element to reach the helical. You can clean it with a swab and apply light grease or vaseline. In the Tessar the helical is within easy reach from the back. If you are interested I shall try send or post a Tessar repair guide with pictures soon. Regards, sp.</p>

<p>Al V, I am trying the attachment here.</p>

<p>Sorry! could not post it on PNet. Have sent it to Al V by email. If anyone wants the reference please contact me by email. Regards, sp.</p>

<p>Thanks Subbarayan! I received the pics and instructions! Awesome.. I'll see if I can manage to not completely ruin it! hehehe</p>

<p>I think John is right. I can see the small pin that engages the external locking lever on the Exakta ; I was thrown by not seeing the shutter release coupler. I did once have an Exakta, the RTL (which some do not recognise as a 'proper' Exakta, though I liked it) and being left-handed I did rather like having a left-hand shutter release.</p>

<p>Subbarayan,<br>

I have a Tessar 50/2.8 in Leica LTM. It is a conversion on an M42 mount lens that someone at some time crafted beautifully. Its performance is excellent. At one time,I used three lenses for photos, and I posted them side by side. Several people picked the Tessar photos as the best looking. I don't know how rare such custom conversions are.</p>

<p>http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/Tessar5cm28/carlzeissangleback4176854.jpg</p>

<p>Let's try it again.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is a pic of the lens from the front.</p><div></div>

<p>Looks very neat and inovative Raid. I am sure it would make good pictures. CZJ Tessars are universally sharp. I wonder if it operates the coupling for the Range Finder. That would be tough to work out, given the larger diameter of the M42 lens. I like my Tessars on the Exaktas and Prakticas as well as the Industars on my Feds and Zorkis. Regards, sp.</p>