Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1.5/75 : I need some info

[Nikos]

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

Do you know any other buying sources?

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

[Attila]

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.

[Orio]

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

[Joosep]

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

[Orio]

[Attila]

[Orio]

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

[nixland]

[luisalegria]

"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.

[nixland]

[exaklaus]

[Attila]

[koji]

Mine was made 1943.

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

[Attila]

[koji]

Here is mine.

[Attila]

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/

[nixland]

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.

[luisalegria]

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.

[nixland]

[Attila]

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.

[nixland]

Yeahhhh..... I finally got this famous Biotar 75mm. Its very expensive but my curiousity cant stop me buying the lens
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 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.

[nixland]

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

[luisalegria]

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.

[nixland]

[luisalegria]

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

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