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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 7:01:24 PM
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A google search on ZK Sonnar borought up this forum. Looks like a good place to post about my Russian lenses!
This is my first post on this forum. Today, I disassembled and cleaned a newly acquired ZK Sonnar. I've taken apart several Wartime Zeiss Sonnars and a lot of J-3's, ranging from 1950 to 1986 production. Any members of rangefinderforum.com will recognize the name and infatuation with Fast Russian Glass.
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I just finished collimating this lens, and re-assembling it.
No question that this lens is made from German parts. Some minor construction differences compared with the lenses assembled in Germany: NO set screw holding the rear optics fixture in place, no hidden set screw holding the name ring in place. Material is the same as the Wartime LTM Sonnars.
It looks like this lens started out as Zeiss SN 2726739. There is not a tap for the Set Screw used to hold the rear module into place. It is not from a parted out lens.
The plastic case that it came in, compared with a J-3 case on the Left.
Lens compared with a Wartime Zeiss LTM Sonnar.
Serial Number, note that it looks like a J-3 SN.
The first ZK's had "1948" and then a SN.
Rear module has hand engraved numbers like a J-3. German LTM Sonnars do not have these extra markings, just the machine stamped lens SN.
Big "M" and two Set Screws as in a Wartime LTM Sonnar.
The larger of the two screws is the Stop for close-focus and infinity. The J-3 does not use this second set screw.
Not sure if the rear cap is original, but it probably is. Shows who made the lens, KMZ.
I'll be testing the lens and posting results. Looks great using the TTL viewer. I will compare with the wartime lens with the 272 SN. |
Edited by - Brian on Sep 07 2009 7:06:14 PM |
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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
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jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection
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Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 07:07:23 AM
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Hello Brian 
Thanks for sharing this !
I also own two early Russian 5Omm f1,5 lenses but in Kiev mount :
ZK s/n 5000229
Jupiter 3 s/n 5002204
Both rear module have a machine stamped s/n : 860651 (ZK), 861934 (Jupiter 3). Still a Zeiss part inside that early Juipiter 3.
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/892009_Ré-exposition de PICT0001.JPG
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/892009_Ré-exposition de PICT0002.JPG
I have tested the lenses, they still take great pictures
I would like to add that you helped me a lot to learn how to repair such lenses. Thanks lots
Jed |
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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 4:32:38 PM
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It is very interesting to see these German parts stamped with SN's showing up in the ZK's and J-3's. Shows an evolution to the J-3 design. In my opinion, the J-3 is a better thought out mechanical design than the Wartime Sonnar that it evolved from. That's after taking apart 4 Wartime Sonnars, the ZK's, some in betweens, and a lot of J-3's.
I've owned one 1950 J-3 that had the German optics fixture, but not the stamped rear module.
I also have a 1953 J-3 that has German glass in it. It is very sharp, every bit as good as a Zeiss or Nikkor.
I'll post some of the J-3 instructions on this site, will upload some images. |
Edited by - Brian on Sep 09 2009 5:59:12 PM |
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jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection
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jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection
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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2009 : 7:32:56 PM
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Very nice article on the J-8's.
I usually see the hand-scribed marks on the J-3's with the rear optics fixture. By 1964 or so, construction seems to go to the one-piece fixture similar to the post-war Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm F1.5's. I prefer the earlier design, as it gives an extra adjustment: reducing the focal length of the lens ever so slightly. I've done that with a couple of lenses for close focus on a Leica.
With Fall and Winter headed in, it will be project time again. I'll organize some J-3 pictures for an album.
These are with my 1953 KMZ J-3.
http://camwk.com/album.php?albumid=65
Every bit as good as my Wartime 5cm F1.5 Sonnar with mint glass. |
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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2009 : 10:31:00 AM
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Just an update:
http://ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=145
I got the first test results using the ZK Sonnar on my Canon P, after shimming the lens to optimize close-up and wide-open performance. Performs identically to the Wartime Sonnars. |
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dee * [ adopted ] dowling
dee
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2009 : 3:28:43 PM
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Hi Brian .
I am fascinated by your knowlege - hopefully , here , it will be easier to follow your posts as I get a little lost in RFF .
That 1949 must be the ultimate exUSSR lens - fabulous in every respect . The nearest I have got to 1949 is my 1951 Kiev II with standard 1951 J 8 .
Originally , I considered a J8 or Helios to be fine , but it seems that the J 3 has something ese . It seems that a kind soul is sending me one - 1937 going omn 1959 .
I would love to try slide film with it . |
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Brian
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2009 : 7:18:18 PM
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The J-3 is my favorite lens. And I have a lot of lenses!
J-8's are fine lenses, especially those from the 1950s. I have found the good ones to be the equal of the Nikkor 5cm F2.
The J-3 on a Kiev/Contax is a great fit for the accurate rangefinder. I use a 1955 KMZ J-3 on my Contax II. It is also adapted to Contax mount using a Zeiss focus mount. |
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Topic |
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1949 ZK 5cm F1.5 Sonnar, in LTM
