Sonnar lens 58 f1.5

On ebay,2 different sellers, a Sonnar(?)lens 58 f1.5 in Leica screw mount is for sale.
Does someone about this kind of lens?
If it's a fake, it's a very strange fake.

You think it's a Soviet lens marked as Sonnar? Would you mind posting a picture of a link to the auction here?

Thanks,
Vlad.

Hi Vittorio,

As far as I know, nobody exactly knows where and by whom these lenses were made.
Some members of the very serious "Zeiss Society" think they were made after the war, perhaps from Zeiss parts. But it's sure that they don't belong to the official Zeiss production.

No real explanation about the serial numbers (1407xxx)which cannot be related with the other "legal" Sonnars.

I have seen till now some 15 of these lenses, all uncoated.They often have fungus (I wonder why?). The special 1,5/6cm is unknown too by Zeiss specialists.

Jacques.

these lenses (there are three on e-bay from the same seller) were probably built y MeOpta. Note there is no Zeiss name on them: see:

http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/Opema.htm

regards LP

see also Contax Spezial at:

http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/zeissikon2.htm

and who knows about ZEISS IKON SONNAR 58mm f2 ? for Contax S prototype

http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/exakta.htm

Thank you

Hello,

Not too convinced by Meopta as the maker of this lens. But why not, after all?
I have just bought one of these lenses (by auction) and something seems interesting. The rear cam has a screw, like on S.H.'s Sonnar, but unlike the other Sonnars seen till now.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1832013_Sonnar 1,5-5,8cm.jpg

This is my 1,5/5,8cm Sonnar.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1832013_832013_DSC_4149_post.jpg

And this is S.H.'s Jena Sonnar.

I will tell you more after receiving the lens. I hope there is not too much fungus...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Well, I saw that too. But the rest of the barrel engravings look russian.

Did not bid on this one because of the fungus.

If you want some more close-up shots of my sonnar, just ask.

Thanks for the close ups: later when I get this lens to compare the threads.
Here is another lens of the same series, but with a boss on the rangefinder cam... and no thread.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1832013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 bossage.jpg (seller: breguet camera)

Jacques.

In this page
http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/Zeissslr.htm

you will find an interesting Zeiss eingentum SLR
and an unusual 55mm sonnar by zeiss ikon
convertible to both M42 Contax Spigel or M39 Leica rangefinder!
Regards
LP

Jacques
Your lens seems to be of Zeiss manuacture although having no Zeiss name.it should be made by Zeiss people -independently- The 1945 to 1947 years were a conturbated era and Germany lost his identity and Allies had not yet defined their actuation areas Several factories were spoiled by people interted in doing their own business -A similar way suffered Russia in the post Glasnost days
LP

Thanks for your explanations and complements, Luiz!
Prototypes you show on novacon are exciting!

About my lens, the glass could have been made in the thirties: it is uncoated and there was an official test model of 1,5/5,8cm Sonnar, put on a Contax I, marked Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar (quoted by Kuc in his book, and with a picture), s/n 1459655.

For some reason, this lens was abandoned, perhaps because of the 1,5/5cm. And years later, the remaining glasses could have been re used to make the 1407xxx series: I agree with you about those 1945-47 years... Where and by whom, that's another story...

The two different rangefinder cams (boss vs thread) are strange. I am putting a listing (one more!) about these lenses, including that fact.

All that is only a guess. Perhaps I will be inspired when the lens is here!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Jacques
I bought an aluminum bodied threaded focus Sonnar(no Zeiss marked) Serial 14XXXX lens 5,8cm, together a Triotar 13,5cm, Leica fittings, several years ago which were in the junk box of a friend. I found it unusual at first lance. The 5,8cm lens is uncoated but the glass is slight bluish tinted . Very strange indeed.
Regard
LP

Slight bluish inside: that's the right word for all the lenses belonging to this 147xxxx. series.
For the moment, I have 20 lenses in my data for this series, and 9 in the 1,5/6cm one... What is your serial number, Luiz?
I hope I will learn more when I receive mine!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Well, the sonnar is here.
Really in good condition: no fungus or haze, just a very small mark on the front lens. One of the best puchase I ever made...



http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 002.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 001.jpg

Sonnar 1,5/5,8cm and 1948 1,5/5cm ZK side by side: of course, the Sonnar is longer, but both have exactly the same maxi diameter: 48mm.

Lens module dismounted:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 004.jpg

The back part largely differs from CZJ Sonnar/ZK's ones with that 6 slot nut to maintain the rear element.

Just the same for the front lens which can be directly dismounted on unscrewing the beauty ring:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 003.jpg


Much more easy to clean a lens!

Two last pictures about odd details:

There are two complete diaphragm scales, at the opposite...
These scales stop at f11, like on early 1,5/5cm CZJ Sonnars.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 005.jpg

And the distance scale covers 3/4 of turn, unlike the CZJ Sonnars and ZK (half turn). Except one of my Sonnars: 3/4 too!
Here, "m" for meter on the scale ("M" on ZK and Jup)


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2232013_Sonnar 1.5-5.8 006.jpg

Don't hesitate to put questions if necessary...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Two more Sonnars here, always LTM.
First, A 1,5/5cm which seems a cousin of my 1,5/5,8cm. Same 6 slot nut on the rear and an aluminium mount. But this one is coated and it is bigger than the 5,8cm (!).
A picture:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1652013_Sonnars 1,5-5cm and 1,5-50mm 001.jpg

The second one is more mysterious. It could be a genuine Carl Zeiss Sonnar, but it has a LTM mount, a strange crossed pattern on two bags and it is heavier than any of the Sonnars I have here (224g). Perhaps a poswar one? A picture again:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1652013_Sonnars 1,5-5cm and 1,5-50mm 002.jpg

Now, a third picture. They are both 1,5/50mm lenses, so I am perplex when I see them side by side...


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1652013_Sonnars 1,5-5cm and 1,5-50mm 003.jpg

If you have ideas...
Amitiйs. Jacques.

concernant le dernier sonnar, celui avec des gravures en diamant, il existe quelques exemplaires avec ce type de gravures et un lettrage tout а fait bizarre (pas la font habituelle)... je possиde un 5cm comme cela (photo suit) et j'ai vu sur ebay un 8,5cm comparable. ce sont toutes les deux des optiques T pour LTM. Les montures sont Zeiss, seules les gravures et inscriptions sur le corps sont bizarres.

Stephan

Thanks, Stephane.

About the Sonnar with diamond pattern, I forgot to give the serial number: 1979274. With the engraving "Carl Zeiss" (without Jena), the focal of 50mm (and not 5cm), and the coating, it could be a post-war Sonnar made in the West.
But the mount puzzles me. It's not totally functional: the rear ring (which is screwed on the camera) is too loose so the lens cannot be properly used. As if it were a prototype or a trial not really finished. But do postwar Sonnars, made by the factory, really exist in LTM mount? I don't know.

I wait for your photo.

As for the other Sonnar, the 1,5/5cm, it looks like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261032404520&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

except for the engraving on the beauty ring: mine only has "Sonnar" (and except for the price too!). Both are in the same serial number range. And both have this curious reversed diaphragm ring...

Amitiйs. Jacques.