Biotar 58 F2 mount identification required

[UKRoy]

I have been given a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 5.8 cm 1:2 lens, serial number 2660105 - mount thread is approx. 40mm external diameter. I'd like to be able to use it on my D700 and require some information about possible adapters, never having used anything more exotic than AI converted Nikkors in the past.



Having inserted pix they don't appear....

[Spotmatic]

This one probably has a Praktiflex mount (i.e. 40mm). I'm not sure if Praktiflex adapters exist. I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in...

[Attila]

It will not work even if you make a DIY adapter , film register difference is huge. Lens will be provide sharp pictures within one meter distance only. Nikon is worst paltform to try other lenses than Nikon, due it have longest film register distance .
I suggest to sell this lens and buy another one to play from following lenses.

Any medium format SLR lens like Kiev, Pentacon Six, Mamiya etc
Nikon lenses

Nothing other will works with a simple adapter.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Sell it, it will be worth quite a lot to the right person as these old chrome Zeiss lenses are very sought after by some.

Use the profit to buy a Nikkor or two.

[UKRoy]

To everyone who has replied. I'd come to the conclusion (from this site as well as others) that this was in the Exacta mount. Anyway it's obvious that the register is too short to successfully mount on a DSLR.
After a bit of preliminary cleaning the lens is actually in quite good condition, despite arriving with gunk on the externals and no evidence or recent lens caps.
It may just sit for while, shining, on one of my camera archaeology shelves. If I thought I could get a decent price without resorting to the appalling environment of fleabay I might indeed sell it.
Roy

[exaklaus]

That is for Praktiflex, has nothing to do with Exakta. Rare lens.
Klaus

[xjjohnno]

Praktiflex register is 45.8mmm so not too far off Nikon register, while not having infinity focus I'd see that as reasonably useable for portraits and plant pics if you could actually find an adapter. A very usable lens on my Pentax with a shorter register distance.

[UKRoy]

From the pix and the outer thread diameter (about 40mm) it's for Praktiflex, not Exacta - is this conclusive?
Roy

[peterqd]

Klaus confirmed that this morning. Exakta cameras have a bayonet mount. Praktiflex cameras have 40mm screw.

[luisalegria]

There was an early Exakta screw mount, for the VP Exaktas, which were medium format by our standards - 4x6.5 cm on 127 film.

The lens mount thread was apparently almost 40mm, 39.5 or 39.8mm but with a fine thread, .5 or .75mm

The Night Exakta had a screw mount also, of larger diameter, but I can't find the specification.

All of these were 1930's models. I don't think the VP Exaktas were made after WWII.

The 35mm Exaktas only had bayonet mounts, with the exception apparently of some retrofit kits for M42. Exakta lens mounts (on the camera) are very easy to replace. There ARE some Varex-type Exaktas with M42 !

Now, this lens certainly wasn't made for those medium format models. 5.8cm would be a wide angle lens for these, and there certainly wasn't a wide angle Biotar, much less an f/2 wide angle. The only 40mm screw mount (40x1) for a 35mm SLR camera is certainly just the Praktiflex.

[exaklaus]

[Mos6502]

Buy a Praktiflex. It is one of the most important camera designs in history - fun to work with too!

On the chance you do take this advice, the "Praktiflex FX" though very common is M42.

[Tervueren]

You could try heating up a 39-42mm adapter thread and see if you can fit it over your mount, when it cools it should shrink tight enough to use, may have to ream it out a bit.

[martinsmith99]

For Nikon DSLRs, you're better off sticking with Nikon AI lenses. Most other lenses will require an adapter with corrective glass which pretty much always softens images.

[Gurdie]