Vintage carl zeiss jena binoculars series#
In fact, we consider that they cannot match the build quality displayed by premium Japanese lenses, such as the Takumar series made by Asahi Pentax.Ĭompared to other German brands, Carl Zeiss lenses have a certain reputation and which hasn't been surpassed as time went by. Mechanically though, their quality differed, from very good for the most part of their existence to only good in the final years (late 1980s - early 1990s).
Optics-wise, the quality of Jena lenses was very solid. The Western branch also developed the Sonnar and the Tessar, albeit in different focal length, along with other lens series such as the Biogon, Distagon and Planar. The latest generation of classic Carl Zeiss Jena lenses was made of plain metal with red or green markings. Through the years, their lenses had different exterior designs and trims: the older ones were chromed and then came the "zebra" type.
Their portfolio includes many generations of lenses such as the Tessar, the Sonnar, the Pancolar and the Flektogon. But when sold in the Western countries, they were branded simply “aus Jena” or just "Jena", as Carl Zeiss West Germany had the right to use the original name. When sold in Eastern European countries, the lenses were named "Carl Zeiss Jena". The company not only produced camera lenses, but also binoculars, industrial optics and optical equipment for the military. Later they also used the Prakticar bayonet system. One part of the company continued production in Jena, the German Democratic Republic, while the other relocated in Oberkochen, West Germany.Ĭarl Zeiss Jena built lenses in the M42 and Exakta mounts. At that particular time Carl Zeiss, which had been founded in Jena in 1846 as an optics workshop, was divided between the two German states. Carl Zeiss Jena is the Eastern branch of the legendary Carl Zeiss Company and appeared under this name after World War II.
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