Braun Paxette lenses list

Alun Thomas · Joined: 20 Aug 2018 Posts: 579 Location: New Zealand

I've cleaned a Staeble Kata, it was a triplet. The xenar and tessar lenses would have 4 elements, I'm not sure about the Isco Westar. The Westanar has 4, perhaps the Westar is simpler.

In terms of being outstanding optically, I don't think any of the more common ones were lenses that you must have. The F2 Luxon has a primoplan like design and wild swirling, and is not available in other mounts as far as I know. It's also quite pricey and hard to find.

My only other observation is that I've never seen slotted screws so small as on Paxette normal lenses I've tried to disassemble. They're a nightmare.

cyberjunkie · Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 5:19 am Post subject: Super Paxette and Kata E lens

From what I thought I knew, I was almost sure that a Braun Super Paxette had interchangeable lenses.
On top of that, I've read that "E" lenses were not fixed mount.
Well, it seems I was wrong.
Here is a Super Paxette with Staeble Kata E 2.8/40mm that seems to be firmly attached to the camera!

Not sure it's worth to tear down the camera to adapt a supposedly mediocre lens... which was what I wanted to do if the lens was in M39 Paxette mount, as I have done with a few others.
Any advice?

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4742 Location: Cheshire, England

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 220

how to adapt in an easy way a paxete lens?

with an extra short m39 macro ring ( that not exist afaik) ?

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7387 Location: Hong Kong

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 220

thanx @calvin

so it's a m39 macro ring machined to paxette m39 focal specs ?

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7387 Location: Hong Kong

I think so.

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 220

Not aiming to high jack the thread but ,
does anyone knows the sizes of Zorki / Fed macro rings set ?
That 4x set .. well that's the one I know, could be more divers tho,

afaik it's a more versatile solution than a dedicated paxette adapter ring

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7387 Location: Hong Kong

cyberjunkie · Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:10 am Post subject:

Thanks, I will try to go with more strength. I pushed a lot, though Smile

Regarding the easy way to adapt Braun Paxette lenses, you just have to find a soviet set of M39 extension (macro) rings. The second smallest is the one that works.
I don't have the thing with me at the moment, and I don't remember the measure, but I promise, it's pretty simple.
For example, on my Sony A7II, I just need a cheap chinese M39 to E-mount adapter, screw on it the soviet extension ring, and of top of that the Paxette lens.
Infinity is spot on. Kind of magic Smile

It works with any Paxette lens I tried, including a strange Staeble 135mm that I believe has an uncommon optic layout, and an even stranger (and I guess much rarer) Enna 4.5/200mm that, despite the very slow aperture, has a front glass larger than a 200mm f/2.8. Optic design tricks to accommodate such long focal on a rather narrow leaf shutter, I suspect. I don't remember if the lens has rangefinder coupling, for sure it needed an external finder (which I don't have).

The good news that the Stable Kata E is in fact M39 mount has brightened my mood. Not many good news of late...
Guessing what lens design it might have3. 99% chance that is either a triplet or a Tessar. Does anybody out there know something more about this specific lens?

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 220

yes i figured out that m39 from zorki/fed set would work.
In the same time those rings could be used with other russians m39 that lacks close focus (and that i like to use with small mirrorless for outside).

i have only 85 / 5.6 telexon but still nog used as i miss the right adapter.
Other wider paxette lenses could be a nice match for street / documentary with early fuji sensor .. just a guess seeing few pics made with 85/2.8.
Lot of analogue look-'n-feel with no ca.
What is not to like here

However i did not see any comments about image 'quality' from paxette lenses?
or is everything about tech specs and collecting ..

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7387 Location: Hong Kong

I have a copy of the Quinar 85/3.5. There are paint wearing inside the lens. It will need to be fixed before I can test it.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4742 Location: Cheshire, England

alex_d · Joined: 19 Jan 2019 Posts: 220

Great response! Thank you, it's a refreshing to see/read something that is not related to usual suspects.
Except having that one (unused..) lens I have no experience with anything paxette. There are quite a lot models.. are they all with screewmount lens?
And, a strange combo , Oly f with pax lenses 😃
But I get it, it's a small package. I guess it works great for street