Carl Zeiss lens numbers

[likaleica]

Does anyone have a good table or weblink for Carl Zeiss lens serial numbers for Contax II/III lenses please ? I have found one listing numbers up to 1942 production, but can find nothing for lenses made after that date.

Thanks

Simon

[Ploy]

There's nothing online that I know of but if you let me have the numbers I can look them up for you. They'll be in "Carl Zeiss Jena. Fabrikationsbuch Photooptik II" (complied by Hartmut Thiele).

Peter Loy

[melek]

Also visit the Zeiss Ikon Collectors Group. Someone there should be able to help you.

[likaleica]

This is very good of you, thanks. First, CZ Jena Sonnar f 1.5 5 cm, 2186906. CZ Sonnar f2 5 cm collapsible, 2202751.

CZ Sonnar f4 13.5 cm, 160 1380.

This lens is in original brown suedette draw string bag and suedette drum case - but the centre of the top of the drum case is missing. Does anyone have a digital picture of what it should look like so I can replicate it please ?

People may be interested to know that I tested this last lens alongside my Kiev Jupiter 11 copy at all apertures and would challenge anyone to tell the difference between the two. Though the Sonnar is SLIGHTLY smoother to use in focus and stopping action.

[Ploy]

Simon,

According to Thiele, both of your 5cm lenses date from 1937, the f1.5 Sonnar from December and the f2 Sonnar from October (even though this has a higher number than the f1.5).

Apparently your 13.5cm Sonnar is a 7.5cm Triotar on a Rolleicord camera and is part of a batch of 5,000 from 1934. Either there is a mistake in Thiele or you've given me the wrong number.

Is your lens black or chrome?

Peter Loy

[likaleica]

Thank you very much for your help. The Sonnar 13.5 is definitely that focal length and Contax fit and has seven digits - 160 then a space, then 1380

[Ploy]

Then there is an error in Thiele. Is it a black lens?

[likaleica]

no, it is highly polished aluminium

[Ploy]

I should've realised, it's a post-war lens and made by Carl Zeiss Oberkochen who used a different series of numbers to Carl Zeiss Jena.

Your lens is from a 1957 batch of 3,000 lenses.

Peter Loy

[likaleica]

That sounds spot on, because the lens is coated and rear flange that mates to the camera body is neater than earlier Sonnars - thanks again for your help.