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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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Carl Zeiss Sonnar 200mm F2.8 M42 - s/n 0009 question
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Dear experts at the MFlenses.com forum, I need your help. I have read through most of the posts on this forum regarding Carl Zeiss Jena lens serial numbers, including the thread "Carl Zeiss Jena lenses Issue date by serial number," and I am coming to you with an unusual puzzle.

I own a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200mm F2.8 lens with an M42 mount, and it has a very uncommon serial number. The serial number of this lens is "0009." I’ve read that four-digit serial numbers are from lenses made after 1980, but what exactly does 0009 signify? Could this be a test batch of lenses?

I would greatly appreciate any help identifying which batch this lens comes from or what the serial number 0009 specifically means.

Thank you very much,
Best regards,
miazgator


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Welcome miazgator!

Another new member has a new online tool for lens serial number lookup. Input 0009 gives "The serial number is below the minimum range for Carl Zeiss Jena (1890-1942)". Not much help here. Maybe later... https://forum.mflenses.com/wip-vintage-lens-serial-number-lookup-tool-t85365.html


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Most likely a pototype lens this is. Is there any other marking on it like "V" etc.??
Add some pictures please!!


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Sure:

Carl Zeiss Jena 200/2.8 Sonnar MC electric M42






Anyone help?


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visualopsins wrote:
Welcome miazgator!

Another new member has a new online tool for lens serial number lookup. Input 0009 gives "The serial number is below the minimum range for Carl Zeiss Jena (1890-1942)". Not much help here. Maybe later... https://forum.mflenses.com/wip-vintage-lens-serial-number-lookup-tool-t85365.html


Nice tool didn know that, TY!


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Anyone can help here?


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Show a picture with that serial# number please!


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I would contact the guys behind zeissikonveb.de.

Lots of knowledge there!

S


EDIT:

1) the CZJ lenses from the late 1980s have a different SN scheme than the earlier continuous SNs at CZJ
2) during the transition from CZJ to Docter some lenses with four digit SN starting with zero were made

https://zeissikonveb.de/start/objektive/wechselobjektive-1980er/carl_zeiss_jena/

It seems your 2.8/180 Sonnar is from that transition period.

S