Back to topic

Orthometar

Printed from: USSRPhoto Forums

Topic URL: http://localhost:8088/modern/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3177

Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:43:05 PM

Topic

Topic author: Jacques M.

Posted on: 20170420104320

Hello,

I have recently bought an Zeiss Orthometar 4,5/3,5cm. This lens was made in small quantities as a cheaper alternative to the Biogon, only in Contax mount.

Mine has a LTM mount, visibly home made.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2612.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2612.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2611.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2611.JPG

But where does the mount come from? Certainly not from a Fed or Zorki with that slope for the rangefinder. I don't even know if this mount is correctly adapted to the focal...

Thanks if you have ideas.

Jacques.

Replies

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170420105257

Hi Jacques

Could you show us this button which locks at infinity ?
On the last photo I can see only its shape which is out of depth of field.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170420110919


Here it is:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2615.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2042017_DSCF2615.JPG

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170420121714

Thanks Jacques.

I have seen somewhere such strange shape of a ring which you turn to focus. But I don't remember what is was.
But I have never seen this strange button nor strange screw which is on the other side and on the other ring (ring which is mounted to a camera)

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170420122129

Ah OK, I remember. The ring with similar shape was mounted to early Leica 1a.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170420144627

Thanks, Alfa.

But it cannot be a mount coming from a Leica IA: they all have a 1 turn focus ring. Nor a 3,5/35mm Summmaron or Elmar: they don't have the same distance scale. So, probably not a Leitz mount. And not a 4,5/28mm Fed: the scale (and the slope for the rangefinder) are not the same.

I bought the lens in Russia, so, a FSU mount? Perhaps?

Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170420151831

Yes, it cannot be Leica mount because Leica 1a had non-interchangable lenses and the ring which was mounted to a camera was cut on top.

It can be something made in a workshop somewhere in USSR. It was very often usage in communistic countries.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20170420160943

Hmmm, I'm still thinking of the mount.
There is no DOF scale because a ring with DOF scale was taken off so this explains us strange shape of the ring which is used to focus.
The button and screws could have been made in a workshop.
But why is a screw (which mounts a ring with DOF scale) not near the button like in Industars 10 and Elmars ?

Reply author: Messsucher

Replied on: 20170426104154

Could the distance scale be from an early Industar-22 (Moskva or KMZ)? Period/dots between numbers, not commas, pin at 7 meter marking. Not an Elmar, the numbers read from inside of the ring, no mtr or feet engravings.
My 2 cents... :)

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170427092620


Thanks for your topence, Sandor![:D]
Yes, the distance plate could be from an Industar. But I really think that this plate and the helicoid were made by the same factory.

On this lens, it's really the slope wich is original. We find it on other 35mm/28mm, including the Fed 4,5/28mm. But it has an other shape.

Note that it is a home made making. I tried some photos with it, at infinite, and it seems all that should be re-fitted...[:I]

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170522170122

Orthometar (with Sony A7):

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/2252017_DSC00054.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2252017_DSC00054.JPG

Not corrected. Not so bad, I think...

Jacques.