1935 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm F2 on the Oly EP2

[Brian Sweeney]

This lens is unusual. Trying to find a pre-war CZJ 5cm F2 Sonnar with clean glass is about like trying to find a Summar with a perfect front element. I have one uncoated F2 Sonnar that is close. But- the F1.5 lenses have simply aged better. I've worked on 15 of them, and the glass always was in better condition than the 15 or so F2 "Little Brothers".

Then- I found this oddball lens on an Ebay auction. Funny engraving, in an M39 non-focusing mount, looks like it was used for an enlarger or "something". $20 and it was mine.

It arrived, SN 170xxxx on the front- ring did not look right. But, the rear group had the right SN's. And all of the surfaces were coated, and near perfect. The Optics Module was correct, but was cemented into the M39 enlarger lens housing. The front element had been removed from its metal stamp, coated, and placed back- somewhat loosely. So I moved all of the glass in their metal stamps into a new optics fixture from a Sonnar with an unusable front element. I used clear nail polish to set the loose front element into the metal stamp.

First quick test: on the Olympus EP2.

At F2:


100% crop on the EP2



At F4:



F2, some color, strong backlight.

F4:


F2:


F4:


I'll probably convert this to Leica mount, using a J-8 focus mount. Or- leave on the collapsible mount for the Nikon RF. I shimmed it to focus on the Nikons. Mind is not made up about the final mount, but at least I know what it is like to shoot with a near-perfect prewar F2 Sonnar.

[Brian Legge]

Wow, that is a beautiful look. That sounds like a nice setup.

[DanP]

Brian, you do some fantastic work. Always a pleasure to read your mods.

[raid]

Brian,
I may have a couple of very clean 50/2 in Contax mount.
My LTM version 50/2 has very clean glass too. DAG was surprised by it.
Why use the Ep2 when you have the M8?
Is it good enough for daily use?

[dexdog]

looks like you done good (once again), Brian!

[Contarama]

Excellent Sir...incredible photography with this set up...would love to see some portraits.

I cannot wait to see some of the other Zeiss glass done with a 4/3 camera...

Contarex for example...

http://www.kipon-usa.com/kipon-conta...y-adapter.html

[Brian Sweeney]

Thanks all, this lens is a keeper.

Raid- I have this lens in collapsible Contax RF mount for now. Not sure how it will end up. I was not sure if the optics would work out in their new fixture. Remember- I transplanted the glass individually into a housing, rather than moving the whole housing. liveview an 10x magnification was useful in determining that the lens worked.

I've used the F1.5 Sonnars and J-3's on the EP2 as well.

[januaryman]

I've used my 50/1.5 1938 CZJ uncoated LTM lens on my E-P2 as well..

[raid]

Brian,
Your photos came out very well.
Have you had the EP2 for a long time now?

[Brian Sweeney]

I've also used my uncoated 5cm F1.5 on the EP2- it is fantastic.

Raid- picked up the EP2 last May or so, and then traded the Bessa R2 for a second one. I had been using the Canon P much more that the R2. I picked up a lot of adapters, M-Mount, Nikon F, Pentax M42, Konica, Olympus, and Canon. I use the Amedeo adapter with the M-Mount. Some fun shots with it, video, and lens tests. The Electronic Viewfinder is amazing. Very clear, almost as good as an SLR.

[raid]

Hm. Now I must decide ... M8 or EP2?
The adapters sound like lots of clean fun.

[Brian Sweeney]

A choice between the two- get the M8. No question. I like the EP2, but like the m8 better. It is a rangefinder, and I prefer the RF lenses.

[Spleenrippa]

Wow, I would sell my grandmother for a lens that rendered like that. Magnificent job, Brian!

[john neal]

Yet again, Brian, you amaze.

I have a 1937 uncoated that I converted to LTM following your guidance - it has to be one of my favourite lenses. I don't have a digi body to use it on, but it gets out on my Barnacks regularly. I'll see if I can get a shot of the front element, I think it's in great shape, maybe i was lucky?

[Brian Sweeney]

I have seen a couple of F2 Sonnars with nice front elements- but in my experience, 2 of 3 had moderate to severe cleaning marks. They look much like a Summar with respect to damage. I have one Summar that did quite well, and a coated F2 Sonnar that is pretty good with respect to cleaning marks.

So yes, Luck and thanks to the people that owned and cared for the lens over the past 70 years.

[pb908]

Great image Brian! Specially from 20$ lens !!!
I need to start to modify mine as well, 30$ CZJ enlarger, the coated one..

[pb908]

Brian, after a couple of trials to remove the optics module from the enlarger block, I got an idea to dremmel it. so I made two cut on opposite side of the enlarger, just deep enough to touch the thread of the optics module. and finally, with a flat screw driver, I push it inside the cut area and push the enlarger in two pieces. just 10minutes trial and I get the lens module free !!

now it is attached on my black painted IIa !!
what a great optics ! the best 30$ money I've spent. enjoy yours !!!