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Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1.5/75 : I need some info
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:18 pm    Post subject: Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1.5/75 : I need some info Reply with quote

I like the swirly bokeh of the 75mm Biotar.
I also like the aluminum look.

The problem is:
1. I only see Exakta mount versions on eBay. Do the exacta adapters (which are expensive BTW) for Canon EOS retain infinity focus?
2. It is expensive, at least 800 dollars (I do not want a Helios copy).
3. It seems to weigh a ton. Anyone knows how much it weighs ?
4. I have the Planar 1.4/85. There is a bit of overlap, but it seems I cannot avoid overlap anymore Smile

Do you know any other buying sources?

Is the 58mm Biotar's bokeh comparable?
This could be a nice, cheap alternative.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1) 75% at least come with Exakta mount.
Many seller promise their exakta adapter support infinity even cheapest ones. Seems it works.

2) Price level 500-800 USD usually, depend from condition or your luck . Orio bought 300 -400 USD if I remember as well. Rare here locally, usually go around 400-500 USD sometimes less.

3) Light weight aluminium , lighter than your Planar 85
4) Can be sharper wide open than your Planar in fact same sharp at every aperture.

In Italy or Holland at local fairs showing up at good prices some times.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can not reach infinity with my Exakta copy with adapter.
But I don't care, this lens is not for landscapes. The lack of multicoating and the internal reflections make of it a low contrast lens which is not good for landscapes,
and, it's prone to flaring when you shoot in backlight with sun.
This lens is for portraits, or for studio work (still life, food shots, et c.)
For landscapes, better to buy a slower lens with better coating, like the Apolanthar 90/3.5


PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a question too.
There are different versions ?
One looks fatter and one is slimmer ?


PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joosep wrote:
I have a question too.
There are different versions ?
One looks fatter and one is slimmer ?


Yes, there are different versions. Attila will reply better about this, he knows them all.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joosep wrote:
I have a question too.
There are different versions ?
One looks fatter and one is slimmer ?


I know three versions and three type of mounts.

Pre-war , early post war 1951 slim and later post war fat.

M42,Exakta and Praktina mounts.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/zeiss/carl_zeiss_jena_biotar/?


PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

To this I would add that there is also a (rare) version for Contax rangefinder.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
Joosep wrote:
I have a question too.
There are different versions ?
One looks fatter and one is slimmer ?


I know three versions and three type of mounts.

Pre-war , early post war 1951 slim and later post war fat.

M42,Exakta and Praktina mounts.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/zeiss/carl_zeiss_jena_biotar/?


Hi, I just joined mflenses. Though I already read this forum intensively since October last year where I began to be poisoned by manual lens Smile

From the three version, is there any significant differences?

Thank you very much.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"From the three version, is there any significant differences?"

Yes, price !

cheapest - fat aluminum Praktina
most expensive - pre-war

"Is the 58mm Biotar's bokeh comparable? "

No, or not my 58mm Biotar anyway.
The 75mm Biotar has a very different look.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:
"From the three version, is there any significant differences?"

Yes, price !

cheapest - fat aluminum Praktina
most expensive - pre-war



Ha ha Very Happy .. I mean the characters of each version. Sharpness, color, bokeh?


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:

I know three versions and three type of mounts.

Pre-war , early post war 1951 slim and later post war fat.

M42,Exakta and Praktina mounts.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/zeiss/carl_zeiss_jena_biotar/?


Pre-war in aluminum and chrome-plated brass mount, only Exakta, few Contax, costing a a fantastic sum
Early post-war in Aluminium or chrome-plated brass mount (only Exakta) in M42 or Exakta
Fat version in M42, Exakta and Praktina.

I prefer the early postwar version.

Have an adapter which does not give me infinity, but that is ok, otherwise some or many lenses would not clear the mirror of my 5DII.

Klaus


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nixland wrote:
luisalegria wrote:
"From the three version, is there any significant differences?"

Yes, price !

cheapest - fat aluminum Praktina
most expensive - pre-war



Ha ha Very Happy .. I mean the characters of each version. Sharpness, color, bokeh?



Pre-war is less sharp than others, all other parameter just awesome.
slim version (early post-war) this is sharpest form all difference is little due fat version also sharp at every aperture.
I have all version (thank you for Exaklaus!!) I don't know which one is really preferred by me , perhaps slim version.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mine was made 1943.

Q: Was it in post-war or pre-war period?


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

koji wrote:
Mine was made 1943.

Q: Was it in post-war or pre-war period?


Pre-war , can you show a picture from yours ?


PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is mine.




PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pre-war exactly I do remember for your purchase now.

Most rare and valuable one.

this is early post -war slim biotar


http://www.mflenses.com/carl-zeiss-jena-biotar-75mm-f15-lens-review.html
http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/zeiss/carl_zeiss_jena_biotar/biotar_75mm_f1_5/


PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Attila & exaklaus for the complete version info.
I am asking because, like luisalegria said, there are 3 items on ebay with different price, $850, $1,097 and $3,450.
So is it worth it if I take the cheapest one?

By the way, I have Meyer-Optik 135mm f/2.8 with Exakta mount which the protrude black ring part of the mount made my 5D mirror stucked (luckily I finally found M42 mount that could replaced the Exakta mount on this Meyer lens).
But how about the Exakta mount on this Biotar, is it fixed mount?

Thank you All.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personal opinion, the Biotar 75 is much too expensive for what it is, no matter what version.

The price these days is so high because of collectors.

If you want a portrait lens with a large aperture, to use not collect, I suggest you try the Samyang 85mm. I have seen excellent results from that.

The lens mount is part of the complete rear tube that holds part of the helical, so it is hard to replace. Some people have the rear tube machined to replace the Exakta mount with M42. But you really shouldn't have to do that. There are good Exakta - Canon adapters.

The only real problem is the Praktina version. It should be possible to have a machinist make a Praktina adapter - I have some ideas how to do that - but it would be expensive.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:
Personal opinion, the Biotar 75 is much too expensive for what it is, no matter what version.

The price these days is so high because of collectors.

If you want a portrait lens with a large aperture, to use not collect, I suggest you try the Samyang 85mm. I have seen excellent results from that.

The lens mount is part of the complete rear tube that holds part of the helical, so it is hard to replace. Some people have the rear tube machined to replace the Exakta mount with M42. But you really shouldn't have to do that. There are good Exakta - Canon adapters.

The only real problem is the Praktina version. It should be possible to have a machinist make a Praktina adapter - I have some ideas how to do that - but it would be expensive.


Thank you very much for the complete info.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Basically all 85mm lenses are good and all perfect for portraits, they go from 100 USD to sky. If you can afford take a Biotar 75mm any .. nice to own a legend. They are like cars all have wheels, engine all transport you to A to B... people buy different ones based on their budget. I still keep my Biotars even if they fetch high price and I can replace them with cheap ones like Samyang.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeahhhh..... I finally got this famous Biotar 75mm. Its very expensive but my curiousity cant stop me buying the lens Smile
I got the fat Biotar in super mint condition. So its the pre-war right?
The sharpness is OK.
The "miraculous" thing is it's M42 mount and does not hit my 5D mirror!! Yeahh:)

I'm gonna play with this lens for a while and taming its wild bokeh Smile before I post the review.

My question is : it there any M42 mount for later Biotar (post-war, slim body) that does not hit 5D mirror? Just curious to know because Attila said its sharper than the fat one/pre-war.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its 1Q type. I measured its length, its 7,5 cm long.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yours is like mine, but in better condition. It looks good.
The fat Biotars are postwar, 1950's.
You can find the year, more or less, from the serial number.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:

The fat Biotars are postwar, 1950's.
You can find the year, more or less, from the serial number.


Argghh ... I mixed up the pre & post war Smile

Thanks for the info about serial number. It starts with number 58xxxxx.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It seems that 1959-1960 would be a good estimate for yours -

5,000,000-6,000,000: 1958-1961