John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>I acquired this today amongst a box full of photo bits at the local auction. It came with a lovely original Zeiss leather velvet lined cap. It's got an Exakta mount, and weighs four pounds. Here it is on my Exa:</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>The serial number is 2404187. It has a plain aperture diaphragm, that is, it just opens and closes as you turn the ring. There's no auto stop down or preset mechanism. The glass looks bluish but I'm not sure if it's coated or not. It has a tripod mount.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>It has EKTC 16263 engraved on the barrel. Eastman Kodak?</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>The Exakta mount and tripod mount. What I want to know basically is, clearly it has an Exakta adaptor (which I can't get off right now), is it designed for another camera? Remember it doesn't have auto stop down, suggesting a rangefinder. And roughly how old is it? I've googled and found plenty of stuff about black and zebra versions with stop down, but not this.</p> <p>Thanks in advance (and yes, I will share some results ...).</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>Oh there's one from above too.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>It's an Exakta mount adapted version of the classic Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 originally developed for the 1936 Olympics, or at least called the "Olympic Sonnar" after them.</p> <p>Here's an old listing for the original Contax (II or III) version. It was often made with adapters for various other cameras.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_fromm2 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>It was made in 1939. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>Sorry there's one more. I didn't realise at first that this was the hood for the lens, the "Hoover" sticker was a little misleading. I believe despite the lovely finish that it's home made. You can just see where the owner engraved his details on it. It came from the estate of a gentleman who seems to have been extremely capable at making things, there were loads of tools and engineering machines, as well as photographic equipment and much much else. Again, thanks in advance.</p> <p>JDM, Dan, thanks. 1939! Clearly its not coated then.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>See the Wiki article on the Contax cameras for some details on lenses:<br> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contax<br> saying</p> <blockquote> <p >The most important ... lens for the Contax II and Contax III was the 180/2.8 Sonnar,</p> <p >designed for Sports photographers covering the 1936 Berlin Olympics allowing fast speed,...</p> </blockquote> <p >This is a really classy, classic lens. The newer, coated P6 mount versions are superb even on modern digital cameras</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopher_ward2 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>I have a later black one in Nikon mount. Sharp and fast but a real beast.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopher_ward2 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>Second shot. Nice lens but the manual diaphragm can be a pain.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 <p>Wonderful lens, and yours looks to be the original made in Jena Olypia Sonnar...beautiful looking thing. I have the version for the P6, very heavy, but a great thing to behold. I believe that Zeiss made do with four elements for this beast. Here is a shot with the P6, available light and wide open on Ilford Delta 3200.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 <p>Thanks to all for the comments and information, much appreciated.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_elwing Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 <p>Probably worth finding out what is the base mount, how to remove Exakta mount. We know it was designed to be used on the Contax Flektoscop reflex mirror housing. It looks deep enough, but I have no idea if this one was made for the Contax. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 <p>James I've removed the rear part of the lens (three screws), slackened the locking screw and tried to work some WD40 into the threads from both ends but it won't budge. I think it should just unscrew but its been on 75 years! I'll report back after its been soaking for a few days but if it wont unscrew it will have to stay as an Exakta.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 <p>Classic find, <strong>John</strong>, and I hope you can post some samples. Beautiful old lens, and just what a clever guy the previous owner was, judging from this post and your current one on the 35mm printer. I'm often humbled by the skill and ingenuity of previous generations...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 <p>Hi John,</p> <p>You have the Early PreWar Flektoscope 180mm Olympia Sonnar originally made for Lena Riefenstahl.<br> Please take look here for additional information: http://cameraquest.com/oly180.htm<br> If you are able to measure edge to edge AFTER the tripod mounting sleeve, I can check it against my removable P-6 adapter for the 180mm Pre-Set Olympia Sonnar. I purchased it from a camera shop a while back when I was visiting Nuremburg, Germany.<br> Possibly it might work, only thing I'm not sure f they are still available. If you can locate a good mechanist stateside, you might be able to have them fabricate an adapter for you for it.<br> I have several similar to what Christopher Ward & JD. posted. One thing to clarify if you are unaware of it: there are slight fit & focus variation between these lenses. I'm guessing that it was made at different times through out its manufacture. The adapter would NOT work with all lenses and it there is a focus difference.... Basically, don't expect it to be a perfect fit through its manufacturing years. <br> Evan</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian1664876441 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Zeiss started coating their lenses as early as 1936. The earliest ones did not feature the "T" which designates the lens as coated. Even if uncoated- the glass picks up a natural bloom (tarnish) that acts like a coating. Gorgeous lens, you are very lucky, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 <p>Update - I managed to get the Exakta mount off. and another part of the rear section also unscrews. I'll post a picture and dimensions when I get a minute.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 <p>Jim,</p> <p>Take a look at this current eBay auction. Identical to your unit, but for the Contax rangefinder.<br> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Contax-II-with-18cm-1-2-8-Olympia-Sonnar-/231229115335?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d6544bc7</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 <p>Well, that's interesting!</p> <p>Here's a shot of the back of the lens with the Exakta adaptor removed, exposing a 40mm x 0.75mm male thread (the size is engraved on the adaptor). It's smaller than a T mount.</p> <p>Another section also unscrews, this time integral to the lens. Its thread is approx 50mm x0.75mm. I take it the locking ring you can see around a third of the way down the thread is for infinity focus adjustment, it also has a locking screw.</p> <p>I can use it with my Exakta, but I'd like to find some way of adapting a more modern camera to it. Again, thanks for any comments or advice.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 <p>John,</p> <p>Exactly which camera system do you plan to use it on? Film or Digital? 35mm or MF?</p> <p>For my Pentacon 6 adapter to work on the lens shown by Christopher Ward (I have that version)<br> I would have to unscrew the entire rear portion that has thw tripod foot on, and and THEN I can<br> screw on the Pentacon 6 adapter portion. So in the end the lens would be without the tripod foot and strictly for the P-6 mount.<br> However there are many other adapter to follow afterwards that will allow the use of a P-6 mount lens on either 35mm or MF.<br> This lens is quite adaptable and will allow you to focus to infinity without any problems.</p> <p>The trick is to find THE P-6 adapter made specifically for your version of the lens. As I mentioned earlier, there were size & fit variations among the Olympia Sonnars...</p> <p>The only other choice would be to find a good machinist whom can fabricate for you a screw on adapter with the correct film plate distance for Correct Infinity focusing.</p> <p>Evan</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 <p>Evan, thanks for coming back, this is understood. I was hoping to be able to use it on my Sony Alpha 900 (Minolta AF fit), or perhaps on a Nikon film SLR. I think the way forward is to get an adaptor made which will take it from 40mm / 0.75mm to the appropriate SLR fitting, i.e as a direct replacement for the Exakta adaptor. There's a company here in the UK called SRB Griturn which specialises in this kind of work.</p> <p>Thanks again, take care.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 <p>John,<br> I wasn't aware that you were located in the UK. If you are using SRB, then you are in good hands. There are several old photo stores in Germany and Poland that might have a straight P-6 adapter that all you have to do is screw it into place.<br> THEN maybe you can use the P6-to-Nikon 35mm adapter to link it up to your Nikon film camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_bergman1 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 <blockquote> <p>I acquired this today amongst a box full of photo bits at the local auction.</p> </blockquote> <p>It took me awhile to let this sink in when I saw the picture of this lens. That is some local auction you have there.</p> <p>I remember seeing this lens in a Modern Photography article titled "Thirteen Lenses that Shook the World". Here is an image from that article.</p> <p> </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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