Author Topic: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm confusion (Read 2677 times)

Vril_Ya · « **on:** April 10, 2011, 07:37:52 PM »

Hi all,
This is my first post and it feels great to be a part of this forum. I recently acquired a Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8 at a very cheap price. I notice that most CZJ Pancolars have 'DDR' written but this particular sample doesnt. Would anyone know the reason behind this?.. Could it be possible this lens was made elsewhere ?.. as in the east?

Thank you all.

adash · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2011, 08:46:25 PM »

A friend told me that they actually stopped using the name Carl Zeiss after a an international trial. Then they started putting just "aus Jena" instead (it is pronounced "yena" like the Japanese currency, because it's in German).
I actually did a quick search and the only fake Zeiss are pre-war sonnars, and I did not find Carl Zeiss Jena + DDR on any Pancolar on ebay.uk now.
You are of course welcome to make your own search.
Edit:
I did find Carl Zeiss Jena + DDR on Pancolars, these just seem later copies. The Zebra versions do not have it. No idea why.

Vril_Ya · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2011, 09:27:31 PM »

Thank you adash,
I forgot to mention my lens is the Zebra version. But other Zebras do in fact seem to have DDR inscribed as in the following examples.

http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=1007370

http://www.in-photoart.com/newsite/forum_detial.php?md_id=35498&level1_id=3&level2_id=7

http://www.camera2hand.net/topic_detail.php?topic_id=58677

http://www.camera2hand.net/topic_detail.php?topic_id=58160

adash · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2011, 11:48:39 PM »

These are good examples. I think yours is like this one:

http://www.camera2hand.net/topic_detail.php?topic_id=58677

It has the "Made in DDR" on it side, rather than on its face. Does your have it at all?

ratobuhler · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2011, 04:32:56 AM »

I have 4 Exakta mount Pancolars . None has DDR on it. Carl Zeis Jena means that they are made in the DDR. Jena is a city in the former DDR.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2011, 02:10:31 PM »

You can start a NEW sample thread in the "Lens Sample Archive" when you are ready to post samples. I will add it to the Main Archive listings.

Vril_Ya · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2011, 06:36:03 PM »

@adash - I checked and could find no references to the origin. Perhaps as ratobuhler says, they had decided to omit the DDR on that batch.
@M5-User - Yes will post some pics when I get to do some shooting with it.

Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm confusion