What does "preset" mean in lens description?

ducdao · 01-02-2010, 08:34 AM

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I recently acquired a lens as follows:

125* CARL ZEISS JENA SONNAR 135/4 PRESET (MINT-)*M42 - eBay (item 230402848298 end time Nov-29-09 09:12:58 PST)

The title says:

"CARL ZEISS JENA SONNAR 135/4 PRESET (MINT-)*M42"

What does the term "PRESET" mean in this case? I originally thought that the lens has only f/4 working but looking at the lens I can see all other apertures as well.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Duc

Wheatfield · 01-02-2010, 09:13 AM

There should be two aperture rings. One is used to "preset" the aperture, the other one is used to actually stop the lens down to that aperture.
In use, you would set the aperture ring to the shooting aperture (lets say f/8), which, with old viewfinders, could make for a very dim focusing screen.
So, you would open the lens up with the second ring, focus and then turn it until it stops, which would put you at the preset aperture for shooting.
It was a way of allowing for fast aperture setting without having to count clicks.

ducdao · 01-02-2010, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

There should be two aperture rings. One is used to "preset" the aperture, the other one is used to actually stop the lens down to that aperture.
In use, you would set the aperture ring to the shooting aperture (lets say f/8), which, with old viewfinders, could make for a very dim focusing screen.
So, you would open the lens up with the second ring, focus and then turn it until it stops, which would put you at the preset aperture for shooting.
It was a way of allowing for fast aperture setting without having to count clicks.

Ah, I see what you mean. For this particular CZJ lens there is only one aperture ring. However, to 'preset' the aperture all I have to do is press the aperture ring towards the mount then turn to the desired aperture then it locks the aperture.

Is this a mark of premium lens or it makes no differnce?

Wheatfield · 01-02-2010, 10:17 AM

IIRC, the CZJ lenses were made in Soviet occupied Germany. I suspect this lens will be uncoated, but probably mechanically quite solid.

01-02-2010, 08:34 AM	#1
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	What does "preset" mean in lens description? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I recently acquired a lens as follows: 125* CARL ZEISS JENA SONNAR 135/4 PRESET (MINT-)M42 - eBay (item 230402848298 end time Nov-29-09 09:12:58 PST) The title says: "CARL ZEISS JENA SONNAR 135/4 PRESET (MINT-)M42" What does the term "PRESET" mean in this case? I originally thought that the lens has only f/4 working but looking at the lens I can see all other apertures as well. Thoughts? Thanks, Duc

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01-02-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	There should be two aperture rings. One is used to "preset" the aperture, the other one is used to actually stop the lens down to that aperture. In use, you would set the aperture ring to the shooting aperture (lets say f/8), which, with old viewfinders, could make for a very dim focusing screen. So, you would open the lens up with the second ring, focus and then turn it until it stops, which would put you at the preset aperture for shooting. It was a way of allowing for fast aperture setting without having to count clicks.

01-02-2010, 09:22 AM	#3
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield There should be two aperture rings. One is used to "preset" the aperture, the other one is used to actually stop the lens down to that aperture. In use, you would set the aperture ring to the shooting aperture (lets say f/8), which, with old viewfinders, could make for a very dim focusing screen. So, you would open the lens up with the second ring, focus and then turn it until it stops, which would put you at the preset aperture for shooting. It was a way of allowing for fast aperture setting without having to count clicks. Ah, I see what you mean. For this particular CZJ lens there is only one aperture ring. However, to 'preset' the aperture all I have to do is press the aperture ring towards the mount then turn to the desired aperture then it locks the aperture. Is this a mark of premium lens or it makes no differnce?

01-02-2010, 10:17 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	IIRC, the CZJ lenses were made in Soviet occupied Germany. I suspect this lens will be uncoated, but probably mechanically quite solid.