Zeiss 120mm Biometar for 6x7?

*Blue* · 07-25-2009, 12:32 PM

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever used the Zeiss 120mm f2.8 Biometar MC for the Pentax 6x7?

When it shows up, it seems to go for more than the Pentax 105, 120, 135mm and 150mm lenses. However, it seems like a good FL for the 6x7.

D W · 07-25-2009, 01:40 PM

The P6 CZJ lenses were designed to cover only the 6X6 format.
It also has a shorter mount flange to film distance than the Pentax 67

*Blue* · 07-25-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by D W

The P6 CZJ lenses were designed to cover only the 6X6 format.
It also has a shorter mount flange to film distance than the Pentax 67

The may be, but the lens I'm asking about was made for the Pentax 6x7 and is not the P6.

surfotog · 07-25-2009, 06:02 PM

I don't believe any of the CZJ lenses were factory made for the P67. However, over the years I have seen a number of them for sale that had been modified for the Pentax, including the 180/2.8 Sonnar and the 300/4.

*Blue* · 07-25-2009, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by surfotog

I don't believe any of the CZJ lenses were factory made for the P67. However, over the years I have seen a number of them for sale that had been modified for the Pentax, including the 180/2.8 Sonnar and the 300/4.

Here is a copy of the lens in question.

ZEISS 120MM F2.8 BIOMETAR MC FOR PENTAX 6X7 CAMERAS - eBay (item 360153713541 end time Jul-25-09 09:48:05 PDT)

surfotog · 07-25-2009, 09:34 PM

There's no doubt that's a modified lens. These lenses were made originally for the Pentacon 6 cameras. Just because they were made for a 6x6 format doesn't mean they won't cover 6x7. A lot of the pentax 67 lenses have image circles that will easily cover 6x9.
Evidently this modification isn't too difficult, as CZJ lenses in P67 mount come up on ebay fairly regularly. I seem to recall the P6 mount, 500/5.6 in Pentax mount a few years back. This is the first 120/2.8 I've seen.
Why not look into the Pentax 105/2.4? Not much of a difference in focal length, half a stop faster, and reputedly an excellent lens.

*Blue* · 07-25-2009, 10:49 PM

Surfotog, I am looking at getting a Pentax 135mm or 150mm or 165mm in the future. I was just curious about that Zeiss lens in that I haven't seen many nonPentax 6x7 lenses out there.

surfotog · 07-25-2009, 11:55 PM

Blue,
There aren't many non-pentax lenses for the 67. No independent company made them, so the ones you see are modified. I don't know much about the 120/2.8 Zeiss, but I think that the East German Zeiss lenses for the pentacon 6 are reputed to have a lot of variability, quality wise. I have the 135/4 pentax, and mine is very sharp. I believe the 165 is better than the 150, but don't have any personal experience.
If you really want to use Zeiss lenses on a Pentax 67 body, there's a guy in South Korea who modifies the body to accept Hasselblad mount Zeiss lenses. He occassionally sells the bodies on ebay, and will also modify your existing body for $500.

desertscape · 07-26-2009, 04:43 PM

There have been owners of both Zeiss and Pentax 67 glass and reported that there really is not much difference. Can the Zeiss Distagon beat the recent 55mm f/4 from Pentax? Probably not. Can the Pentax 300 EDIF beat the Zeiss 250mm Superachromat? Probably not. The differences are tiny.

Since you like the 120mm, 135, 150 and 165 lens range, try the 90-180 zoom from Pentax. I have had mine since inception. It is as sharp as the best primes. It is a recent design and very well corrected.