Strange Sonnar lens

Hello to all,

this strange Sonnar arrived here the other day. It was only engraved with "Jena 1:2 f=50mm" and the serial number 3501232. As far as I know, Sonnars for M42 that were exported were engraved like this because of copyright problems at Zeiss East/West. But I have never seen a Sonnar for Contax or Kiev engraved like this.
The ring could be removed and underneath was the usual engraving, but with the words Sonnar and Carl Zeiss painted over in black.
According to Thiele, it comes from a batch of 600 pieces that were completed on January 25, 1951. It also differs slightly from the immediate post-war Sonnars, the serial number is no longer engraved on the inside of the tube, but only the number 580 twice.

See the following pictures:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6882.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6882.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6880.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6880.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6879.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6879.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6877.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6877.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6876.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6876.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6875.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2832024_IMGL6875.jpg

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

Yes, Ulrich. Strange, for sure!
I have already seen such a lens, with an extra beauty ring screwed or sticked on the "official" one. But impossible to find it out...

Yours is very special: the same serial number is used on the extra ring, with only "Jena", without any make. That remembers some of the "exotic" Sonnars, mounted at the same period from genuine wartime Zeiss parts by some specialized workshop. But these exotic Sonnars have in common a six slot screw at the back, and I suppose it's not the case for yours.

As you suggest, the copyrights becoming effective can be an explanation of the extra beauty ring. Or (and?) an official separation of the two markets in Germany East vs West. You know all that far better than me.

All that is very poor, sorry. But I go on digging[:)]

Amitiés. Jacques.

Jacques,

No, there are no special screws on the lens. It looks like an ordinary Sonnar from the period.
I've also searched the net, but haven't really found anything new on the subject.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

One word more about "580".

Such additional numbers exist for the LTM Sonnars. They are engraved inside on the special rangefinder parts for appairing reasons. But it's not the purpose here... I suppose that the Contax mount (removed on your photos) is ordinary too?

The Contax mount is completely regular. "Germany" is also engraved. And it is quite heavy, it weighs 133 grams, the Sonnar with the number 3051008 from my Jena-Contax weighs only 94 grams. Nevertheless, the mount is not made of brass but of aluminum. For comparison: a Jupiter 8M from 1972 weighs 128 grams.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6926.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6926.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6927.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6927.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6928.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/342024_IMGL6928.jpg

Ulrich


http://fotos.cconin.de

Same differences here. For example:
- 139g for the # 3093083 (chrome), with "Germany" too,
- 95g for the # 3009106 (aluminium).
Both are on Jena Contaxes.
There are differences in the tones of the glasses too. A complete study would be necessary!

Jacques.

Yes, I also have one on the Jena-Contax, which weighs 132 grams, chrome-plated aluminum. The coating is different, it is more blue-pink instead of yellow-orange.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de