Tessar, Biotar, Pancolar - a photo on Flickriver

            The Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8, the Biotar 58/2, and the Pancolar 50/1.8.

My entire Carl Zeiss Jena collection, and a fascinating trio, as each lens has its own special characteristics.

The Tessar - such a simple old design from 1902, by the German physicist Paul Rudolph who worked at the Zeiss optical company in Germany.  Not fast, but sharp, with good contrast and uncomplicated bokeh.  

The Biotar, uses a double Gauss (or Planar) design, dating back to the 1920s. My lens has 17 blades packed into a tiny body. The bokeh, even stopped down, is smooth and creamy and not as swirly as the Biotar's "children", the Helios 44's.  Sharp, fine rendering but quite dull contrasts (for a digital age) until processed.

The Pancolar is a double Gauss design derivative (according to the experts). My lens is radioactive, with 8 blades.  You can see its yellowed glass in the photo compared to the Biotar's clear glass. This is a really excellent fast fifty, one of the very best you can find (or I've found).

Taken on: November 4, 2015

Tags:

Tessar

Biotar

East German lenses

Carl Zeiss Jena « less

Sets appears in: • Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.8, 8 blades • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8 more » • Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T, 17 blades • Pentax DA 35mm Macro Limited • Photos of lenses « less

Groups appears in: • Reflections • Carl Zeiss Jena more » • M42 • Manual Focus Lenses • A Personal Viewpoint « less

Camera: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, 35mm (=52mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.02 sec (1/50)
Focal Length:	35mm (35mm equivalent: 52mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	+1 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Contrast:	Low
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 Windows
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