Review CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 (GERMANY)

According provided by lens CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 Nr. 4793092 (GERMANY) many thanks https://vk.com/lphotovideolwhere similar manual optics are on sale.

Tessar 2,8 / 50 CZJena (GERMANY)

Tessar 2,8 / 50 CZJena (GERMANY). Large size of this photo... The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Attaching the lens to the camera using M42-Canon EOS adapter with chip.

This review shows one of the first versions of the Tessar lens. This version is sometimes referred to as 'Vorwahlspringblende' ('Jumping' diaphragm), as it is the first version with automatic 'jumping' or 'blinking' diaphragm for cameras with M42x1 / 45.5 mounting threads.

There is exactly the same version of the lens, but instead of 'CZJena' there is the inscription 'Carl Zeiss Jena', and there is no prefix 'Nr.' Next to the serial number. and there is no inscription (GERMANY), the type of such modification is shown here.

Main technical characteristics of Tessar 2,8 / 50 CZJena (GERMANY):

Review Instance Name CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 Nr. 4793092 (GERMANY)
Basic properties
  • M42x1 / 45.5 - common landing thread 'M42'.
  • manual focus only.
  • diaphragm control and cocking ring, as well as semi-automatic control of the diaphragm using the aperture ring and the diaphragm pusher of the cameras in which it is available.
  • special diaphragm control ring with push mechanism, located closer to the front of the lens
  • The lens is suitable for full-format cameras.
  • metal case
Front Filter Diameter 49 mm
Focal length 50 mm

Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom).
Designed by for film cameras with a frame size of 24 x 36
Number of aperture blades 8 petals. The diaphragm blades form a regular 8-sided hole. On slightly closed diaphragms, the opening is almost perfectly round.
Tags focus distance scale in meters and feet. IPIG Scale for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16.
Diaphragm from f / 2.8 to f / 16. The lens has an aperture control ring. On the ring there are markings for F / 2.8, intermediate, 4, intermediate, 5.6, intermediate, 8, 11, 16. To set the desired aperture, the aperture ring should be sunk towards the mount and rotate to the required value.
MDF 0.5 m
The weight 185 g (approximately)
Optical design 4 elements in 3 groups. Optical design of the Tessar type. The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design. The same optical design is used by other similar Tessar lenses.
Lens hood Threaded, screwed into the front filter thread
Manufacturer country GERMANY (Germany)
Period From 1958-1961. Previous version 50 / 2.8 was released for Contaflex IV from 1957-1959.
Price From 20 to 150 USD for used option.
Catalog of modern Carl Zeiss lenses can look at this link.

The CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 is well built. The entire body is metal with metal focusing and diaphragm rings (not covered with rubber). Most likely the case material is aluminum. The focus ring rotates approximately 270 degrees (3/4 of a full turn). The ring travel of this specimen is very tight. During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens unit.

The aperture ring is located near the front lens. To set the desired value, press the aperture ring towards the mount and then rotate to set the desired F number. When shooting with original cameras for which this lens was intended, the aperture will automatically close to the set value during the shutter release. To re-open the diaphragm, you need to cock it again - just turn the aperture control ring to F / 2.8 and release it (perform a cock). If the diaphragm is not cocked, then manual control of the diaphragm can be used by pressing the ring.

Pictures in the gallery were obtained using Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi и adapter M42-Canon EOS (adapter with a chip programmed to F / 1.4). Photo without processing, on-camera JPEG. There are few examples, since working with the lens is very difficult due to the very tight focus ring.

The lens is a bit weak at F / 2.8, covering the aperture to F / 5.6 the sharpness increases significantly. The lens has a classic Tessar pattern with rough bokeh. Optically, as for such an old man, the lens is not bad.

You can download the source files in JPEG format. at this link (24 files in '.JPG' format, 130 MB).

Radozhiv has the following reviews of 'Tessar' lenses:

  1. CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 8 petals, silver, GERMANY, Nr.4793092]
  2. Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 12 petals, silver, 5124425]
  3. Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2,8 / 50 [M42, 5 petals, zebra, MDF 35 cm, 9182179]
  4. Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 / 50 [M42, 5 petals, black, MDF 35 cm]
  5. Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 2.8 f = 50mm T [M42, 14 petals, silver, Nr.3376939]
  6. Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1: 4,5 f = 4cm T [M42, 10 petals, silver, Nr. 3315266]
  7. 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.

How to use with modern cameras?

Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.

The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.

For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.

For SLR cameras

  1. Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
  2. NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
  3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
  4. SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
  5. OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.

For mirrorless cameras

  1. SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
  2. OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
  3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
  4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
  5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
  6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
  7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
  8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
  9. SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
  10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
  11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
  12. LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.

If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 18, on the topic: Overview of CZJena Tessar 2,8 / 50 (GERMANY)

  • Rodion

    Hmm, it seems, not very far from the I-26M left ...

    • Ivan

      it is this version - yes, a couple of these with a cool jump rope fell into the hands, both left a strange impression - “a portrait Tessar suitable for soft portraits”, I61ls and an old preset Tessar 50 / 2,8 in sharpness tore these “portrait ”Tesars

  • zengarden

    Well, practically Industar, only in German :)

  • anonym

    Thanks for the review, but the conclusion? )

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Tessar is like a tessar, thousands of them.

  • Sergei

    Arkady, thank you very much for your review, such a lens will serve for many more years and will be of antique value ...

    • Alexey

      Moreover, it is exclusively antique.

  • Lynx

    Able to do beautiful things.

  • Ilyas

    GERMANY kagbe is not happy. here is DEUTSCHLAND this is what I understand!

    • QWERTY

      How is it like?

  • anonym

    I apologize for being off topic, but just tired of looking, confused.
    Can Nikon cameras adjust the focus for a manual lens?
    Suppose there is a small back focus of the Helios 81n lens, can it be corrected in the camera? In the elders, of course.

    • Yarkiya

      Think for yourself what auto focus tuning is, the keyword is autofocus.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      You just can't. If you get confused, then you can put a dandelion there and make an amendment there or in the camera menu.

      • anonym

        Clear. Thanks)

    • Eugene

      And the general amendment will not correct the situation?

  • Oleg

    Honestly, I didn’t like it. It looks like a work of art, but at the exit ... It's better, Helios 44/2

  • Sergey

    Once again I am convinced that there are so many people and opinions. My unequivocal opinion is #Mystically wonderful lens. Because the pictures are taken even if you don't want to. The lens has something in the picture ... like life itself is imprinted in them ... Real softness and plastic. I don’t understand at all, this people's love for some kind of "hyper-sharpness", but with Tessar - everything is real, as if you were looking with your eyes. In Arkady, this can be clearly seen in the test frames and the bokeh is real - life. And what is Tessar's white, just white ...
    I compared it with a black tessar and with a striped one and with a red letter "T", even with a pancolar 50 / 1.8, and recently I took a biotar 58 / 2.0 ... .. THIS IS NOT "THAT", but THIS "THAT" has the right "THAT" ...
    By the way, this is - ”instead of 'CZJena' there is an inscription 'Carl Zeiss Jena', and there is no prefix 'Nr.” Near the serial number. - often solved by simply twisting a decorative ring (there were some legal problems and they covered the real inscription with a ring) ... and underneath it ... OPA! (See photo)

  • Sergey

    Please note that even the numbers are different, but I myself twisted this ring 100% off the lens

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