Monday, May 28, 2012

Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f2.8 - Another Sample

Poppies -- NEX-5N & Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f2.8.  Click for larger.

When I got the Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f2.8, the focusing was stiff and coarse, but I have got it re-lubed and cleaned and it now works beautifully.  Very smooth focusing and the lens itself is very well built.  Like all Tessar lenses, this one is very small, though not as small as the 50mm f3.5 Tessar.  I very much like the bokeh. Even stopped down, the bokeh still looks very nice, due to its circular aperture.

4 comments:

  1. nice shot. Strangely looks GREAT as a thumbnail but somehow looks less attractive at this size. I wonder if its related to the magnification

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    1. Maybe certain things look better when scaled down!

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  2. I have a picked up a nice CZJ Tessar's from the 50's. It has stiff focus - it looks like there are only two screws on the back of the lens - so potential easy to take apart. Once apart, how can it be cleaned and lubed (what solvents and what parts do you clean?)

    Steve

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    Replies
    1. Steve,

      You need to unscrew the helicoid apart. Be sure you mark the entry point where the two parts separate, or you may have to try many times to get the infinity focus to line up with the focus mark. I used a Q-Tip to clean off the existing grease and used grease I bought from a bike shop. Seems to work well.

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