Cart 0
Near mint 1938 CARL ZEISS SONNAR LENS for Contax I, II or III with case. - Carl Zeiss Jena- Petrakla Classic Cameras

Carl Zeiss Jena

Near mint 1938 CARL ZEISS SONNAR LENS for Contax I, II or III with case.

$ 225.00 USD

Will also fit the later Contax IIa & IIIa cameras

This is a beautiful Carl Zeiss 13,5cm (135mm) Sonnar lens in Contax rangefinder mount. In the 1930’s this lens was a luxury item and the quality still shows. It’s constructed of high quality chrome plated brass and of course it fitted with superb Zeiss glass which makes it suitable for portraits & pulling things in closer for a tighter composition. A very popular Zeiss lens to those who could afford it, nearly all the great WWII war correspondents carried this lens as part of their kit when they went out into the field.

This Zeiss lens has an exceptional reputation for its quality fit and finish, as well as its ability to produce very attractive photos. The overall rendering is superb and the background is quite smooth and nicely rounded. It’s something the Japanese refer to as bokeh. Simply said, this lens creates a very attractive look to your photos.  

The lens’s serial number indicates that it was produced in Germany in late 1937 or early 1938. In either case it was brand new, at a time when the world looked incredible different than it does today. This lens will fit the Contax I, II, III rangefinder camera, as well as the later Contax IIa & IIIa. (And other cameras with the Contax lens mount.)

The lens is in exceptionally fine condition. This glass looks virtually like new. There are no scratches or cleaning marks, very clean and clear and it’s capable of producing beautiful photos modern color and B&W films.

It comes complete with its difficult to find original brown leather case & strap. The Zeiss-Ikon buttons are very attractive.

All in all an excellent lens for your classic Contax. Perfect for photographers with a historical interest. If you’ve been looking for an superb lens for your prewar or wartime Contax, then you may have just found it…


Share this Product


More from this Category