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02-18-2016, 01:40 PM   #1
MaterDei
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Vintage Carl Zeiss Identification

Hi,

Not sure what you guys classify as old so please forgive any misuse of the term. I have a lens that I have had since the early 80s when I was in high school and heavily into photography. I would like to know whether it has any value today and if so, what is the best way to sell it?

On the front of the lens it has a little logo that looks like a golf hole with a flag (I'm sure that's not what it is but it looks like that to me) and it says "Biometar 2,8/80 7273847 Carl Zeiss Jena"

The aperture and focus rings both have silver and black alternating bars. The aperture range is 2.8 - 22.

The mount, I'm pretty certain, is M42 based upon pictures I see on the web and me measuring the OD at 42mm.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

02-18-2016, 04:29 PM   #2
PJ1
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Look for Carl Zeiss Biometar 80mm f2.8 on Ebay. It is a very good lens, but more common in Pentacon Six or Exacta mount. You should not have any trouble selling one in M42 mount.
02-18-2016, 05:12 PM   #3
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If it is in good working condition with clean glass, definitely has some value (I'd try to get at least $200 for it in m42 mount). The black-white pattern is usually referred to as the "zebra" version -- there are also all chrome (silver) versions. It is an 80mm f/2.8 lens with a "Biometar" design (refers to optical design) made by Carl Zeiss Jena in East Germany. 7273847 is the serial#. You need to make sure it focuses properly and the aperture is working (probably has a so-called preset aperture which might have a spring-loaded ring) to get full value. Also that the glass is clean and clear, not scratched up or with fungus. Even with problems, that lens will have some value. I'd take it to a camera store that has older used equipment and have them look it over, or maybe you still have an old body that it fits on?
02-18-2016, 11:53 PM   #4
HYS
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I had the "upper" brother of the mentioned lens - the Carl Zeiss Biometar 120mm. Excellent lens.
To use on 42 mm body an adapter (Pentacon Six to Praktica/Pentax 42mm) is needed.
Carl Zeiss Biometar 80mm f2.8 is 5 element good lens but not so sharp as 120 mm.
All P-Six lenses are very solid and sharp and very heavy as well.

02-19-2016, 01:39 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by First Poster Quote
The aperture and focus rings both have silver and black alternating bars. The aperture range is 2.8 - 22.
sounds like an enlarging lens to me.
02-19-2016, 07:50 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
sounds like an enlarging lens to me.
The zebra version definitely exists as a normal lens, but it usually is found in Pentacon Six mount. However the earlier chrome version was available in m42 (I know because I have one), so there are likely a few m42s of the zebra as well. Or maybe the OP actually has a lens with an m42 adapter on it. (P6->m42 is a simple non-optical adapter) Need some good pictures to tell...
02-19-2016, 06:32 PM - 1 Like   #7
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It seems this lens was manufactured in 1965 (7-digit S/N were used 1930-1975).

There is a PDF sheet available (in German and English) on the German website Objektive

02-19-2016, 06:47 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by RKKS08 Quote
It seems this lens was manufactured in 1965 (7-digit S/N were used 1930-1975).

There is a PDF sheet available (in German and English) on the German website Objektive
Useful chart for many lenses -- thanks!
02-19-2016, 08:12 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by MaterDei Quote
On the front of the lens it has a little logo that looks like a golf hole with a flag (I'm sure that's not what it is but it looks like that to me)...
From what I've read, that's the "1Q" that indicates it's part of the highest quality batch of that lens model. (Source) Definitely want to point that out wherever you decide to sell it.
02-19-2016, 09:53 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Scintilla Quote
From what I've read, that's the "1Q" that indicates it's part of the highest quality batch of that lens model. (Source) Definitely want to point that out wherever you decide to sell it.
Hmmm...I've heard of that, but figured it was pretty rare. But the pictured mark I've got on 5 lenses or so -- every Jena I've got except one has it. So not particularly hard to find on them I guess...
02-19-2016, 11:23 PM   #11
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1Q means quality lens. In some zebra lenses a yellowish tint could be observed (in the earlier editions).
Personally I have found this group of lenses to be a little bit "cold", bluish. Uncorrected blue line.

Last edited by HYS; 02-20-2016 at 05:32 AM.
02-21-2016, 06:26 AM   #12
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another link fpr the Biometar 80: Pentacon Six mount: test of standard lenses
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