Pre-war CZJ Biotar 2/5.8cm

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

Yesterday I found here in local shop this heavy chromed-brass jewerly. For 60� probably not an bargain, but I couldn�t resist to own this beautiful piece of history Embarassed

.
Today was very dull weather, hope I could tomorrow add some pictures taken with this lens. Unfortunately it�s for Exacta mount, so I can reach only about 2.5m on my camera.
The lens is uncoated, but in overall good condition for its age.

CZJ Biotar 1:2 f=5.8cm Nr:2009138 (produced in 1937 according SN)

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Wow ! First one what I seen... You made a damn fine deal !Congrats! If you are bored I am ready to take any time Wink

for this amount Laughing

dzxw · Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 3

[quote="BRunner"]Yesterday I found here in local shop this heavy chromed-brass jewerly. For 60� probably not an bargain, but I couldn�t resist to own this beautiful piece of history Embarassed

.
Today was very dull weather, hope I could tomorrow add some pictures taken with this lens. Unfortunately it�s for Exacta mount, so I can reach only about 2.5m on my camera.
The lens is uncoated, but in overall good condition for its age.

good item!I like it! Very Happy

MF-addicted · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:06 am Post subject:

Congrats for this lens.
How many blades does it have?
I am curious to see some images.

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

As I promise long time ago... here are some random images from this lens.

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1827 Location: Bulgaria

This biotar looks very cool.
Have you compared it with most recent versions?

i've seen the samples Smile

they look amasing !

BR,
Stefan

eggboy · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

Congratulations! That price is actually good. The pre-war Biotars are pretty rare.

The pre-war Biotars are...amazing. This was a pretty exotic lens. The formula is different than the post war lenses, as the lens surfaces next to the iris were curved so steeply, the blades actually form a dome, and are not flat!

I own several of these, and have repaired them (the top end pre-war Zeiss lenses used a whale oil based lubricant that gets particularly gummy after 75 years...)

The fit and finish internally is amazing. You can't see any machining marks. And there are perfectly concentric sleeves inside sleeves.

Don't open this unless you've some experience!

Here a snap of a tear down, showing the domed iris. You can see the full set here:
http://eggboy.smugmug.com/Other/Pre-war-Zeiss-Biotar-repair/9971144_6sUvc#681273065_WqJ4t