Many thanks for the opportunity Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 Lens Review (Zebra) Andrei Kopyl.
Review of Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra)
There are many modifications of the Tessar 2.8 / 50 lens. For example, here is one of the old options - Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 2.8 f = 50mm T, and one of the newer options is Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8 / 50 DDR. All Tessar lenses have the same Tessar optical design of 4 elements in 3 groups, but different body frames, different aperture mechanisms. The Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 variant from this review has a black and white color of the focusing ring and aperture control ring, this color resembles a zebra, therefore, this lens variant is often called the Tessar 2.8 / 50 Zebra.
Lens view Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra)
Focusing
The focus ring of the lens is metallic. When focusing, the front lens does not rotate, and the trunk of the lens lengthens by almost a centimeter. The diameter of the front lens is 49mm. The lens boasts a very small minimum focusing distance, which is only 35cm. It would be interesting to use this Tessar with macro rings. When focusing, the ring rotates 180 degrees, the focus itself is smooth.
Lens view Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra)
Diaphragm
The lens aperture device consists of only 5 blades. For example, one of the versions Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 2.8 f = 50mm T had as many as 14 petals. Later version Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8 / 50 DDR also has 5 aperture blades, which when the aperture is closed create 'nuts' in the bokeh. This Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra) has a diaphragm repeater located on the lens itself, which makes it easy to use on modern cameras. The repeater can be used in the same way as the aperture presetting on other similar lenses - focus on the focus at F / 2.8, press the repeater button and shoot at the set aperture. The aperture ring has a set of fixed values from F / 2.8 to F / 22.
Size Comparison Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra)
Use on modern cameras
I used Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar lens on camera Nikon D700 using the adapter KP-42 / N without a lens. However, I have no way to focus on infinity. The focusing limit with lensless adapter is reached at 1.5-2m. This does not allow the lens to be used for all the necessary tasks, but the focus distance is enough for a portrait. To focus on infinity, you need to use the KP-42 / N adapter with a lens (M42-Nikon with a correction lens). You can read in more detail about working with old manual optics on modern Nikon cameras in my article Soviet optics. On Canon cameras, things are a little different. It is enough to attach the M42-Canon EOS adapter and shoot for your own pleasure, in more detail in the section old lenses at canon. Other modern cameras have their own adapters.
View of the Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra) lens on a modern camera
Examples of photos on the lens
All sample photos in the gallery below were performed on a Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra) lens and a full-frame camera Nikon D700. Everything is shot in JPEG L, Fine, VI mode. All photos without processing, only the size is reduced to 3MP and the data from EXIF.
Image quality
My Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra) gives excellent image quality. The lens showed excellent contrast and color reproduction. Excellent sharpness is present even at f / 2.8. One of the disadvantages is that nuts appear in the blur zone on closed diaphragms, since the diaphragm has only 5 blades. Overall, the lens showed good quality.
Sample photos on Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 Review
Personal experience
Like the rest of the Tessar lenses, my lens is a very good lens, which is nice to shoot. If a aperture not important, the image quality on F / 2.8 can easily compete with modern lenses.
Radozhiv has the following reviews of 'Tessar' lenses:
- CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 8 petals, silver, GERMANY, Nr.4793092]
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 12 petals, silver, 5124425]
- Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 5 petals, zebra, MDF 35 cm, 9182179]
- Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 [M42, 5 petals, black, MDF 35 cm]
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 2.8 f = 50mm T [M42, 14 petals, silver, Nr.3376939]
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 4,5 f = 4cm T [M42, 10 petals, silver, Nr. 3315266]
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar FE 4 / 24-70 ZA OSS T* (Sony SEL2470Z FE 4 / 24-70 Optical Steady Shot) [modern zoom]
Catalog of modern Carl Zeiss lenses can look at this link.
Sample photos on Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 Review
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Conclusions:
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 (zebra) - great lens. Gives a sharp and contrasty image. Does not own a large aperture. I recommend.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Thank you for the article!!!
Arkady. And how can one determine the year of production?
There is a plate on the Internet by numbers and years of production, I can’t provide a link.
According to the table, this lens is approximately 70-75 years old.
I do not have CarlZeiss Jena DDR Pancolar 1.8 / 50 (zebra) in your reviews of this model or am I mistaken !?
You are mistaken https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/05/pancolar-1-8-50-ausjena/
http://s61.radikal.ru/i173/1212/b3/668f8b5302e1.jpg
a couple of days ago he was mine)
seen from serial)
really he really 70s?
And why not, zebra varieties are some of the oldest.
judging by his condition, I am surprised
I got used to Zeiss zebra 2.8 Jena without any ddrov and helios 44m-6 2.0 - except for the Zeiss inscription I did not find anything fun, explain why?
I can't explain why you didn't find anything 'high'.
I just expected something like this from the Zeiss I’ll wait for the summer and then we'll see but the 44th is lighter and it's nice)
Be sure to share your 44th experience :)
I had a Helios 44m-6 and a Tessar 50 / 2.8 (black only) - I sold Helios, but I use it and am happy with the Tessar. Of the helios, he left only 37a and the first white 44th m39.
Arkkady, as always, thanks for the review.
It's my pleasure. Helios 37a does not exist, you probably about Jupiter-37A
You are right Arkady is 100% Jupiter 37a and Jupiter 9 white left, I really liked it.
In the right Aokadius is 100% Jupiter 37a….
Arkady, hello. There is a possibility of purchasing Carl Zeiss Tessar 50 / 2.8 (zebra). Interested in the question whether the lens will fit the Nikon D5100? And what kind of adapter is needed. Please tell me ... and will the photos be of the same quality as in your review?) Thank you
You need an M42-Nikon adapter with or without a lens, it is possible with a chip or without a chip, more details about the adapters are written here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/04/optika-na-nikon/... The quality of photos depends more on many factors, in more detail here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/07/what-is-main/
Oh yes, they said that the M42 thread))
Good-hearted day!!!
I found such a lens in the attic, I bought an adapter for it, but only after screwing it on to the adapter (on Nikon) the diaphragm stopped working :( it just turns there and there is no point (((now it’s always at 2.8. It focuses without problems. How can I fix this? Can I fix it myself?
There may be a version without manual iris control, there is a special pin at the back of the lens, you need to block it, how to do this, you can see here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/01/obzor-arsat-80-200-granit-11/
about radiation.
more precisely about a phobia.
Today I conducted a study on the radioactivity of this lens.
The radioactive background measured next to the front lens and the side of the viewfinder.
no deviations from the norms were recorded.
20 micro-roentgen - what with the lens or without it (the measurement was made for half an hour on both sides and without the lens).
so, ladies and gentlemen, the myth of ento
the glass is wonderful, I wouldn't compare it with helios ... for me at this stage my favorite lens
Maybe Nikon + Biometar is a good combination, maybe for other cameras and not. the taste and color, as they say, felt-tip pens are different
and this one is not luminous?
and if there is no DDR inscription then can it fonit?
People, please HELP !!! How to properly use aperture tutor on this lens ?! I can't figure it out in any way ...
Hello!
Could you comment.
I have a (in appearance) Tessar, but this name is not.
There is only - "T2,8 / 50 aus JENA DDR". But also striped and all the rest.
How to understand? Modification?
Thank you.
Hello.
They offer to buy such a lens, but there are doubts - will the mirror cling to Canon 5D? The rear lens is too protruding.
the matter is complicated by the fact that he has to buy without looking, by mail ..
thanks in advance for the answer :)
I bought one at a flea market today, serial number 8873154
How to determine the year of manufacture?
http://periscope.com.ua/istoriya-fotografii/seriynye-nomera-0 - your somewhere 67-70
Thank you for the lens tests, Pts liked your site, IMHO most demanded for me when buying and choosing lenses, THANKS for the help ..
Well, I’ll ask you at the same time: I want to buy this zebra for Canon 6D (there is an Lushnikov adapter) for the video
problems with the back segment will be? or all the way through? thank you in advance for your reply
On full frame, Kenon should have no problems with this Tessar.
Just yesterday I sawed a whale under the Canon 5D M2. it turned out, the rear window is far
This zebra is not very conveniently made focus and aperture control rings. Rather, they are executed perfectly, but you confuse them with no habit. Intuitively, the hand does not immediately find the focus, and can begin to twist the diaphragm. You need to get used to this particular lens. This is the cheapest Zeiss, it is perfect for the street on a more or less clear day.
What do you think Helios 44m-6 will be a better option than the above described lens, I can not decide?
Arkady, thank you very much for your work and this wonderful resource. Patience and good luck ... :)
Wave-3 lays this lens on both blades.
You would still have Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.4G! These are DIFFERENT (I mean 85mm focal for Wave-3 and 50mm for Tesar) lenses!
You would have compared with the Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.4G compared! These are DIFFERENT (I mean 85mm focal for Wave-3 and 50mm for Tesar) lenses!
Arkady hello. Tessar T acquired 2,8 -50mm today it was not possible to see and only at home noticed the diaphragm sticks. There is only a jumper in place
looked working and attentive. consider noticeable on the petals. Please skinte the link where you can see the disassembly, cleaning grease and lens assembly. I myself won’t work the wrong nerves. Somewhere I saw and forgot where, I looked
and to no avail. There are specials. even the lubrication of TSIATIM showed this I remembered.
Thanks in advance . Victor.
Tessar 50 / 2.8 “Zebra” is a different story. In search of “my” tessar, I bought 6 “zebras” within a year (and sold them later) and tested about a dozen more. And they all differ in design - depending on the year of manufacture and batch. As a result, I settled on the “white” Tessara (not “Zebra”).
There is this lens and the Helios 77m4. They are certainly not comparable, but helios will be more convenient. In terms of design, weight. The drawings are different, they like both. Especially Tessar's bokeh. Very beautiful.