Zeiss Triotar 13.5cm

[Roka]

I don't own any Zeiss lenses but I'd like to remedy that situation. After looking around I found one that I think I'd like, the Triotar 13.5cm. I know there are a couple of versions of the 13.5cm and I'm interested in the "thinner" version. It looks like it can be had for around $150 +/-. Does anyone have this lens and how does it perform? Any concerns about counterfeit versions? I'd be using it on my Sony a7 via adapter.

[jamaeolus]

For 150 you should get a mint example with case. There are many on ebay all the time. Its an older formula, a triplet. It will not be very fast and in that era coatings were not that good, so contrast and flare resistance will suffer somewhat. They do render images with that vintage feel. Reasonably sharp. Unless you want to start an expensive collection of unusable lenses I would recommend just getting a reasonable "user" example. Should be able to pick one up for 80 dollars to try, just to see if you like it. It certainly not up to the standards of the Sonnars in most respects.

[Marek]

Quite frankly, $150 feels like a little waste of cash. I remember selling ca 5 of them serviced, including re-lube (these Triotars tend to be stiff as hell) up to $85 (I never focused on these though, but they tend to be a part of large camera equipment konvoluts from time to time). If you buy these "found as is" always count with re-lubing, especially if Fat version. Just to be prepared, count with re-lubing these sold as MINTs too

Now I have a now excellent serviceman who lubes even this "tight" not very well manufactured lenses great and smooth.

In my hands it performs this way.

#1 (M42 Fat from1950s)


#2 (M42 Slim from late 1940s)


Ultimately sold all of these, but I can't really say a bad word on them. They're just common normal solid triplets, quite generic, but quite pretty and overall cheap. Triotars tend to have good overall sharpness including corners and, which was really good for butterflies, OK to very good MFD. (Fat: 135mm x 1.2m)

Now I bought pre-war (not early post-war) cm version either from Leica or Exa "upgraded" to M42 mount, just because I kind of collect these pre-war collectibles. From Kazakhstan

I hope you find this somewhat helpful.

Marek

[Attila]

[calvin83]

Want something different? Get yourself a Voigtlander Super-Dynarex or Rodenstock Rotelar 135mm F4.

[jamaeolus]

Marek, I am always taken aback at how phenomenal your butterfly photography is.

[Roka]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I'm not sure what I'm going to do but I value your input.

Marek, thank you for sharing your beautiful butterfly pictures!!

[Marek]

[Humulus]

Love the colors on your Limenitis camilla pic. Not easy to find this one sitting on flowers. It's also quite rare in my parts.

[Roka]

[Marek]

[Humulus]

[Marek]