M42 Carl Zeiss

[Stan Hesketh]

I am considering buying a Carl Zeiss M42 to fit my Spotmatic & Chinon. The Jena ones seem incredibly cheap on Ebay.
Trouble is there are so many different models of CZ lenses. What sort of results can I expect from such a lens, and which are the best, which are the ones to be avoided (if any.) Any info and experiences welcome.
Many Thanks.

 

[Pete Askew]

Hamish is your man here I think. The coatings are often the most limiting factors with the lenses made in Jena.

 

[Hamish Gill]

What is your desired outcome? Something with character ie soft and dreamy when shot wide open or are you looking for out and out quality? What's the budget?

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Oh, and what focal length?

 

[Hamish Gill]

Assuming 50mm ish one of these mc (multi coated) pancolars would give you pretty smart results http://bit.ly/10deBoi (don't pay more than £75)

or a biotar http://bit.ly/12P9gsy for more character ... But many will tell you they are a waste of cash when you can buy a Helios 44 and get the same effect for a lot less

 

[Pete Askew]

I assume you closed this thread by accident Hamish. I have re-opened it.

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As you can see!

 

[Dave Green]

I've got a Carle Zeiss Jena 135mm F/3.5 MC lens here that's in exellent condition apart from a ding in the filter thread where I dropped it on the carpet (doh!)

Open to offers - and only just up the road from Stan

It's this one.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'm really not sure how it happens Pete ...

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Thanks for replies.
I'm likely looking at a 50mm lens, since most of my photography is outdoors and canal based. I have a few Russian based lenses (Helios etc.) which aren't bad at all. I suppose the questions I am asking is how much improvement would I see with a Zeiss lens? Are there better M42 lenses than Zeiss for similar money?
Many thanks.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I think "improvement" is difficult to aim for ...
What characteristics do you feel are lacking in what you currently have?
Is there anything you are specifically trying to fix?
Or do you just want to feel like you are shooting with something high quality and end up with results that would be wildly concidered good

... It's difficult this sort of thing as lenses all have their positive and negative traits that shine through or hinder in differing situations ...

 

[Stan Hesketh]

I suppose I have been spoiled by my Canon FD lenses, but I see no reason why the Spotmatic and Chinon can't be as sharp with the right lens. I am always impressed by Helios and suchlike, but sometimes they seem a little soft to me. Also canal scenes are often colourful (colourful paintwork on boats etc) so colour rendition is important. I usually take the T50 with me as its dead easy to use when steering, but I really like old M42 gear and my collection is growing rapidly (please send help ) So basically sharp, good depth of field and colour rendition!

 

[Hamish Gill]

I should try for a pancolar ...
Ive not used one, but I've read stacks about them and seen a lot of pictures online ... Colours always look wonderful, smooth bokeh ... Give it a go! If you don't like it, I might buy it off you anyway

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Many thanks. I'll have a look around