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Arri S16/SR2 Lens

 

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Zeiss Tessar 8cm f2.8 (37mm/O, close focus 3' 6", 270deg helicoid).
c1937 s/n 2104523. (with T2 to Nikon or PL adapter).
A Jena Zeiss, prewar... brass and chrome barrel design untypical of 1940/50s M42 Jena lenses.
Tessars are reasonably sharp, but not fast lenses. An early design, and this one of peculiar provenance and medium format may not be typical anyway. The Zeiss 2.8 tessar was the most expensive lens option on medium format cameras in 1940 ($25 more than a Schnider f2.9 or $32 more than a Steinheil Cassar f3.5 -ref Sears catalogue).
Edmund Hillary used a Korelle/Zeiss combination on his Everest expeditions!.

It's very soft at f2.8. Looks sharp across ½frame @ f8.
Highlights have a strong white corona. Originally uncoated, it now has a soft blue oxidation.
Out-of-focus areas are usually very soft, though sometimes a light halo. Always circular as the aperture is a 15 bladed perfect circle at all apertures. Covers full frame without vignetting (originally a medium format lens).

Zeiss Tessar 8cm f2.8
2nd copy is a Zeiss Tessar 8cm f2.8 made for home market, labeled in metres. c1938 s/n 2371978. slightly closer focus on the barrel... 1m. Glass is uncoated.
   
8cm Zeiss with PL mount

Zeiss Tessar 8cm f2.8

8cm on SR2

Zeiss Tessar 8cm f2.8

Click for full size ( via four thirds sensor camera)
f2.8 (s/n 2104523)
Click for full size
f5.6 (s/n 2104523)

f2.8 (s/n 2104523)





see also Zeiss Tessar 12cm f2.7, SR2 Hire
last updated: 22 feb 2012