Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f2.8

Picollo · 06-07-2010, 09:14

Hi

I have been offered this lens Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f2.8 for £20 and was wondering if it is any good?

Some of the example photos online look really good.

Is this a manual focus only lens?

Thanks, Vicky

~~classcams~~ · 06-07-2010, 09:43

If it`s one of the old m42 east german lens, I suppose it`s worth £20, but thats it.

grum · 06-07-2010, 09:50

I'll have it for £20 please

It is manual focus (and aperture).

AndyWest · 06-07-2010, 09:55

I'm after one of these and they have been going for £55-£65 on eBay so if it's all working then go for it as they are a very nice lens indeeeeeeeeed!

Ste Manns · 06-07-2010, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by classcams

If it`s one of the old m42 east german lens, I suppose it`s worth £20, but thats it.

Actually these lenses are very highly sought after. I don't know of a f2.8 version but the f3.5 is worth at least £50, if you look on evilbay they can go for well over £100 each.

It will be manual focus/manual aperture only but don't let that put you off, its worth trying, but doesn't suit everyone. You will need an adapter to make it fit your camera, I don't know about other makes but my M42 to Canon Eos adaptors cost £1.49 each from Amazon.

Picollo · 06-07-2010, 10:27 **Thread Starter**

Cool, well I can try it out for £20, not much to spend and read reviews saying it's pretty good, worth a try

ujjwaldey8165 · 06-07-2010, 10:30

I have one, and its a lovely lens. Doesn't get used much, because I dont use long lens much - but lovely nevertheless.

For 20 quids its a steal

Ste Manns · 06-07-2010, 10:32

To get the best out of it, you should make sure the dioptre adjustment on your viewfinder is bang on. It can take lots of practice to get a good focusing technique but when you crack it its well worth it. Have a look at some of the manual focus groups on Flickr, there are some amazing photographs taken with these old lenses. (and then theres mine too

)

Boldonian · 06-07-2010, 12:00

Excellent lens, the copy I had was very sharp. Only sold it as it wasn;t getting used much. For £20 you can't go far wrong.

Picollo · 06-07-2010, 12:02 **Thread Starter**

Cool, i'll give it a go then

AndyWest · 06-07-2010, 12:49

Post some pics when you get it!!

HoppyUK · 06-07-2010, 12:56

It's not a great lens as these things go, but you really can't go wrong for £20. Zeiss Jena is East German, not the much more desirable West German side. It was split after WWII.

You will need an adapter to fit it to any current camera, like this http://www.srb-griturn.com/m42-lense...lpha-234-p.asp Focus will be manual of course, and also the aperture control will be a manual too, which is a faff, but can be done provided the lens has an auto/manual switch. Check the handbook for manual (stop-down) aperture metering and make sure you can do it with an A200. I wouldn't buy it if your camera cannot do this. Maybe somebody could confirm?

06-07-2010, 09:14	#1
Picollo Forum Regular Location: Hampshire Posts: 682 Camera: Canon 400D	Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f2.8 Hi I have been offered this lens Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f2.8 for £20 and was wondering if it is any good? Some of the example photos online look really good. Is this a manual focus only lens? Thanks, Vicky __________________ Camera: Cameraless at the moment Lenses: N/A

06-07-2010, 09:55	#4
AndyWest Loves the place Real name : Andy Location: Caterham, Surrey Posts: 5,250 Camera: X100	I'm after one of these and they have been going for £55-£65 on eBay so if it's all working then go for it as they are a very nice lens indeeeeeeeeed! __________________ Andy My Flickr

06-07-2010, 12:00	#9
Boldonian Been here a while Posts: 431 Camera: Minolta XG-M	Excellent lens, the copy I had was very sharp. Only sold it as it wasn;t getting used much. For £20 you can't go far wrong. __________________ Resistance is futile - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boldonian/

06-07-2010, 09:43	#2
~~classcams~~ Suspended Real name : andrew Location: east coast Posts: 561	If it`s one of the old m42 east german lens, I suppose it`s worth £20, but thats it.

06-07-2010, 09:50	#3
grum Feet under the table Real name : Graham Posts: 3,143 Camera: Canon 5D MK I, 7D, GF1	I'll have it for £20 please It is manual focus (and aperture).

06-07-2010, 10:27 Thread Starter	#6
Picollo Forum Regular Location: Hampshire Posts: 682 Camera: Canon 400D	Cool, well I can try it out for £20, not much to spend and read reviews saying it's pretty good, worth a try

06-07-2010, 10:30	#7
ujjwaldey8165 Feet under the table Real name : Ujjwal Location: Wokingham Posts: 1,955 Camera: Leica CL / Contax G1	I have one, and its a lovely lens. Doesn't get used much, because I dont use long lens much - but lovely nevertheless. For 20 quids its a steal

06-07-2010, 10:32	#8
Ste Manns Forum Regular Location: Wakefield, West Yorks' Posts: 1,113 Camera: Canon Eos 1Dmk4	To get the best out of it, you should make sure the dioptre adjustment on your viewfinder is bang on. It can take lots of practice to get a good focusing technique but when you crack it its well worth it. Have a look at some of the manual focus groups on Flickr, there are some amazing photographs taken with these old lenses. (and then theres mine too )

06-07-2010, 12:02 Thread Starter	#10
Picollo Forum Regular Location: Hampshire Posts: 682 Camera: Canon 400D	Cool, i'll give it a go then

06-07-2010, 12:49	#11
AndyWest Loves the place Real name : Andy Location: Caterham, Surrey Posts: 5,250 Camera: X100	Post some pics when you get it!!

06-07-2010, 12:56	#12
HoppyUK Part of the furniture Real name : Richard Location: East Midlands UK Posts: 13,487 Camera: Canon 5DMk2, 17-40L, 24-105L, 70-200L 4 IS, 580EX	It's not a great lens as these things go, but you really can't go wrong for £20. Zeiss Jena is East German, not the much more desirable West German side. It was split after WWII. You will need an adapter to fit it to any current camera, like this http://www.srb-griturn.com/m42-lense...lpha-234-p.asp Focus will be manual of course, and also the aperture control will be a manual too, which is a faff, but can be done provided the lens has an auto/manual switch. Check the handbook for manual (stop-down) aperture metering and make sure you can do it with an A200. I wouldn't buy it if your camera cannot do this. Maybe somebody could confirm?