Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8 as a Close-Up Lens

One of the unique traits of Flektogon lenses is the extreme close-up capabilities. For the 35mm f2.8, the closest focus distance is 0.18m (0.6 ft). This opens up some unique possibilities; you can use the lens as a pseudo macro lens. Also notable is the very nice bokeh, at least from the 35mm f2.8 Flektogon. In some cases, wide angle lenses do not have pleasing bokeh, especially those with aspherical elements.

Kaiser's Crown - Canon 5D Mark II & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Tulips - Canon 5D Mark II & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Pink Tulip - Canon 5D Mark II & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8. 

Infrared Photography with Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8

So far, most of my infrared photography was done with the Pentax-M 20mm f4 lens, and mostly at infinity. The reason is because with infrared photography, what you see focused in the viewfinder is not what is actually focused in the image, because the viewfinder is calibrated for visible light and focus point for infrared is not the same as visible light . This combo works perfectly when I set it to infinity focus.

But, it's time to try other lenses and different kinds of pictures. I picked the Flektogon 35mm f2.8, for no particular reason. Only because it was already there with the adapter on. I tried some pictures with close focus. Close focus is always a hit and miss with infrared, especially with large aperture settings. I use focus bracketing to at least get one or two pictures in focus; take a series of pictures with slightly different focus points. The results turned out quite satisfactory.

Kaiser's Crown - Canon 20D IR & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8 @ f2.8. Click for larger.

Leslie Groove Park - Canon 20D IR & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Kaiser's Crown - Canon 20D IR & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8.

Reading in the park - Canon 20D IR & Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8