Question of the day

[Uncle Bill]

What is the going market rate for a Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50/2 lens for a Contax IIIa? I am on the hunt for one as my Contax IIIa has a Jupiter lens, though nice, I would rather get the real thing.

Bill

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'm no expert, but I have come across many lately due to a search that keeps on bringing it up. I've seen it float around $250 (US). On ePrey mainly; reputed sellers may have a premium or may be a bit cheaper...like everything, shop shop shop.

You want to know a little not-such-a secret? Take also a good look at the Nikon f/1.4 for Nikon/Contax mount; it has a cult following, but since it is optimized only for closer distances wide open, it's not so well-embraced by the "sharpness" bourgoiserie...

Good luck!

[Brian Sweeney]

An uncoated lens is likely to go for under $100. I picked up a near mine one for $80 about two years ago. The Zeiss-Opton post-war lenses carry a premium, and $250 is about right for the coated non-collapsible lens. The Carl Zeiss Jena "T" (coated) lenses made in East Germany go for less, I'm guessing ~$150. The Nikkor 5cm f2 will have enough DOF to cover the focus error, but the F1.4 lens will be about 1" off at 36" distance. It is 51.6mm. The Zeiss lens is 52.3mm.

The $80 uncoated 5cm F2 Sonnar.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2337&cat=3204&page=1

[Brian Sweeney]

Uncle Bill: Did you decide whether the lens must be coated?

Also, The Helios-103 53mm F1,8 is an inexpensive option. The two I have are sharp, better than the J8. Only available in Contax mount. It is physically larger than the J-8, feels at home on a Contax. I use one on the Contax IIIa, in addition to the uncoated Sonnar.

[furcafe]

This 1 went for a song:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7543492553

but $250 sounds more typical.

Personally, I would pay the extra $50-100 or so & get the f/1.5 version.

[Uncle Bill]

The one I am bidding on is a Jenna 50/2. I'll keep you posted .

Bill

[ray_g]

This is a 50/1.5, but with KEH's return policy, it's probably worth looking at. Especially with all the fakes running around on ebay.

http://www.keh.com/shop/product.cfm?bid=CY&cid=06&sid=newused&crid=12081863

[wlewisiii]

If you're willing to do uncoated (not sure in the context of the thread) keep in mind the good old (pre-war) collapsable Sonnar 50/2 as well. I've got one that's an excellent performer; I use it on my Kiev 4a and the only thing I take it off for is when I have the urge to use my Helios.

William

[Uncle Bill]

Update,
won the auction for the CZ 50/2 T from Jenna. Paid $120 Cdn.

Bill