Testing Carl Zeiss "Olympic" Sonnar F2.8 180mm lens, a bit of the history of Carl Zeiss and more!
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- Опубліковано 4 лис 2022
- Lucas, one of my followers did something simply amazing. Watch this video to learn more.
Here's Lucas' Instagram handle: / ma_chambrenoire
And then, finally, do you recognize the tune I'm playing?
So thankful to have found this quiet little corner of the world so full of sharing and giving.
Analog photography may heal the world after all! 😊
As a German i noticed "Auferstanden aus Ruinen!" National anthem of the DDR.
And i know something about Carl Zeiss. But that Kiev was based on Zeiss Jena was new to me. May be because i am a west german born in the late 1960ies is the reason that this story was unknown for me.
Thank you for that history lesson and i like your pictures!
Thanks -- and thanks for watching :-)
Oh man! the wide open shots are simply stunning
Yeah, i think it has this character wide open that is quite pleasing!
What an awesome and generous chap 🙂 Great video..... And awesome prints 🙂
He is such a nice guy!!!
Another example of ‘you get what you give’. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent with us again, love your channel!
Thanks for watching and your kind words, Larry!
Ari, because of you, last year i have reached to Kiev factory and managed to buy a brand new ARAX 60 (Kiev 60) camera from Arax refurbish store. That happened literally a month before February 24th.
Feeww...
Now this camera has an added emotional value for me as a reminder of better, peaceful times.
I also got a 50mm lens and 120mm Carl Zeis Jenna lenses and then i just had to go for the 30mm wonder eye - the Krasnogorsk fish-eye.
The 180mm behemoth is also on my purchase list but i am a bit insecure about the sheer size and weight of this thing.
In the end - nothing of that would not happen if i didn't stumble on your channel a year or so ago.
Thank you for inspiring me to jump head first into this madness.. :)
Wow. So happy to hear. So cool. And once again proves my case: you are the best!
Thanks for telling about the history! I recently got the Jupiter 6, based on this Sonnar.
Lucas did a magnificent thing! And now I think all of your followers are likely to follow suit, because we all love you, Ari! I expect there will be cameras, lenses, and maybe even pianos, electronic keyboards, synthesizers, and wooden boats coming your way! I will be glad to design an extra room for your home that you might call "Ari's Cameras" and perhaps even a new boathouse! All kidding aside, your kind, gentle, genial nature is like a medicine to heal the souls of people around the world who must constantly contend with a contentious and harsh world.
James. Thank you for your kind words. You should see our basement. It is full of junk. I believe there is a little hoarder in all of us :-)
Great video. Thank you again. RS. Canada
hi ari, thank you for your inspiring ideas and thoughts.
and this special about the history of the german carl zeiss optics going to kiev. i love your channel.
Thanks thanks!! yeah, that zeiss ==> Kiev link is often forgotten. Thanks for watching!
The Karl Zeiss' history was amazing, thank you for sharing! Enjoy your new gear. Looking forward to watching your new videos. Cheers!
Thanks. And thanks for watching!
Yes, you have the best followers because you produce a high quality (Best) program! I look forward to each and every one of your videos. I've been a serious photographer since 1968. I worked for many years as a part-time professional photographer. You have a way of explaining things that comes across so well and you are not like all the other "self-proclaimed experts"! It is so refreshing to watch your videos and hear the beautiful music you create to go with them. You are truly a multi=talented man!
William, thank you so much. Means a lot coming from an experienced photographer like you!
Hi Ari, what would a Saturday be without a video from you. I also really enjoyed your variations of the East German national anthem.
As much as I know, it’s only Zeiss in Oberkochen (about 85 km from Stuttgart) that still produces lenses. By the way, at one stage a gentleman called Oskar Barnack worked for Carl Zeiss. That was before he moved to Leitz/ Leica.
😊 yeah. So much photography development around that time in Germany!
Those lenses are gorgeous. A wonderful gift. The Zeiss lenses are especially remarkable because the optical excellence is incredible. Even more so, they did not have computers to do the calculations. In the end you also end up with an optical system which is also a work of art. Making art with art. It's almost recursive.
I agree. Maybe it is the lack of computer design that makes them feel organic and alive. Dunno.
You are in the top 5 of my channels….and I subscribe to around 200 channels. Always love to see/hear what you have to say
Skip, Skip -- thank you. Very happy to hear :-)
Ive just received the Zebra 180 🙂 Really looking forward to a play 🙂
Fascination history. You, your channel, and your photography, are inspiring. I appreciate your approach to all facets of photography. You always make me think. And hats off to Lucas. Your gift image to Lucas is so good.
Many thanks! And, yes, once more thanks to Lucas. What a great guy!
Good things happen to good people.
You are one of those.
Thank you Ari 👍
Thanks, thanks, Peter.
So happy to see your images with those lenses, I took delivery earlier this week of a pentacon six with those two lenses, tomorrow will be my first time getting a chance to use them. Thank you for another great video.
Excellent. This was then very timely for you. Have fun with your SIX and the lenses, and thanks for watching!
Hello.
I would not mix up a lens (Olympia Sonnar) that was designed for the 1936 Berlin olympic games, but for the 35mm Contax camera (fast telephoto lens of course) and produced from 1936 till 1951 (first samples in silver body); with a lens that was produced later as a short tele for the Pentacon Six, even if they are all Sonnar designs (five lenses in three groups).
By the way, the portrait lens for this format is usually the 150mm, but I also have a CZ T* Cfi 180mm for my Hasselblad
Otherwise you could also include in the lot my almost 65 years old, M39, 18 blades iris, Jupiter-6 180mm f/2.8 (also five lenses in three groups, silver body, s/n 001723 - a recalculated Soviet version of the German Olympia)...
Thank you Ari for the history lesson! I got a zebra version of the Sonnar for my P6, but didn't know that it was originally designed for the Berlin Olympics. Not a lightweight street photography gear though. I love the Flektogon. Such a good angle on a 6x6 and it is beautiful. Amazing gifts from Lucas and they are surely in good hands.
Thanks, thanks. I've been having so much fun with these lenses. And you are right, Flektogon is amazing, too. I may have overlooked it a bit at first because I was so excited about the Sonnar. But I've now really started to like the Flek!
This is such a great video, big fan of zeiss, thanks for pointing out that the East glass is as good as the west, which I believe too. Also did not know about the early collaboration they had.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Enjoying the good vibes, the sharing and the cool lenses on this Sunday 🙂
Nico, thanks for watching 😊
Ari, you are so lucky to have such great viewers who support you and especially for Lucas to gift you with these fabulous lenses. I was very impressed to see this. And thank you for letting us into your home each week and for sharing your love of film photography. Best regards, Steve (New York)
Lucas is great! And really, thanks for watching and commenting. Means a lot!
This Sonnar is one of my the most favorite lenses. Amazing lens.
Yeah, I can now understand why you love it!
Great pictrues as always. Thanks for the history lesson, I am always intrigued by the events of the mid 20th century in easter Europe.
Thanks thanks. Me too. You gotta know the history to understand the present.
I literally have dozens of 6x6 folders and TLRs - but until recently I didn't have a single 6x6 SLR camera. A couple months ago I stumbled over an add where someone in the neighboring town sold an ARAX Hasselblad copy and two Pentacon Six cameras including one lens for each for a reasonable price and bought them. This weekend two Flektogon 50mm lenses arrived here, an old Zebra one and a newer MC, and I now need to find out which one of these is the better one and to keep. This lens will be the standard lens on the camera.
I actually bought these cameras, because I wanted that ARAX with its interchangeable backs, and the Pentacons where just part of the deal in a very nice condition. But when using them, I realized, that two Pentacons (one with b&w film and the other with color film) are smaller and take less space in the bag, and especially weigh less than one ARAX with two backs. So I decided to just stick with the Pentacons and the ARAX will have to go again.
Since the Zeiss lenses for the P6 bayonet are comparatively quite cheap, I'm certain, earlier or later a 180mm Sonnar will surely also find its way to me.
Excellent!! And, if you are ready to learn the tricks of each unit, you should be fine. They may be a bit temperamental, but so much fun to use!
Great lenses. The 50 and the 180.. I use the same and love them. My P6 is not to be repaired anymore due to transport problems. I replaced it with a Kiev60 to keep using the lenses instead of changing to another system.
I don't think Zeiss was the world's largest camera manufacturer before 1926 when Zeiss Ikon AG was formed with Contessa-Nettal, Goerz, Ica (itself already a conglomerate) and Ernemann joining Carl Zeiss Jena whose foundation already controlled Gauthier (shutters) and Schott (glass). One source (guess which!) claims Kodak was the dominant company in the photographic industry for "at least three quarters of the 20th century", but that was based on film sales as much as cameras.
This is what Wikipedia says: "By World War I,[8] Zeiss was the world's largest company of camera production." Dunno :-)
Hey Ari
Thank you for this again great video in which the lenses, the craftsmanship of the earlier camera works are appreciated. I am very pleased to know and also to see that the lenses are in good hands with you
It is really a gift from the heart for your wonderful, inspiring, sometimes profound and thought-provoking videos. I was able to take away so much more from these videos than if I had attended photo course 1543xy.
I'm really looking forward to the print! Thank you very much!
Lukas
Thank you so so much. And everybody: THIS IS THE MAN!!!! 😊
You tick all the right boxes for me, so do not wonder if I (and others) follow you. You "produce" the right mix of competence, emotion and fun, in fact, you don't "produce" anything, it is just the way you are. One is with you in your living room at that same table you will sit with your family a while later and you may probably play some piano for them right after diner. Oh! by the way, I have watched some of your videos numerous times, just if you wonder about the high amount of views ;-)
Cheers!
Thanks thanks for your kind words. Means a lot! Thanks!
That 180mm looks like a bazooka. Better not take it a conflict zone :D
I agree. It looks almost illegal.
Here in Central and Eastern Europe, for example in Poland, we have many Carl Zeiss Jena optics products and cameras with an equally strange and fascinating history - which resulted from the historical separation by the Iron Curtain. You can make many episodes of it on UA-cam.
I like your photos a lot and today I see more here and on Instagram.
Thank you 😀
Thanks, Rob! History is interesting!!
Thank you for letting us know some history behind the Carl Zeiss companies and the Ukrainian cameras as well. I drove to the Carl Zeiss museum in Jena many years ago. If you ever get the chance, it is very interesting.
Yeah, if I ever get to the neighborhood I'm sure to visit the museum!
great pictures man! great video as always, keep it up
Thanks! Will do! 😊
Absolutely beautiful pictures you took with these lenses / Thank you for history lesson :) keep the good work on !
Thanks thanks. And thanks for watching!!
Hi Ari, that's really a stunning story that you got these lenses and the two great prints! Lucas' photo at 2:14 with the two people in the distance is amazing. The Olympia Sonnar is one of the most classic lenses and your shots look great. I love the one at 15:52 the most. So simple and beautiful! I also love the photo that you printed with the speedboat. So, thanks for sharing all this!
Thanks and thanks for watching. Both photos from Lucas were pretty amazing!
That is a very cool gift and print!! The history is also very interesting on the Kiev. I was mentioning to someone that works at the camera store where I buy my things for photography about a film called Agent Shadow. I believe they are out of the UK. It is a 400 ASA black and white film but can be pushed to 6400. Have you tried or heard of this film?
😊 never heard about that film. Sounds interesting. I love to push!
Ha, and of course I know the tune at the end ;))
Interesting choice of music today. I'm not a fan of it, but I like your interpretation.
It represents something awful and criminal. A “country” that killed its own citizens. But as a composition it is pretty cool.
Wow! So we're the cool kids now? lol Really terrific gifts, what are you going to name them?
Thelma and Louise? 😊
@@ShootOnFilm Dr. Peabody and Sherman maybe? ~Forward into the past!
@@ShootOnFilm I hope that you don't do what they did at the end of the movie. ☄
@@petervanorsouw2858 To a '66 T Bird convertible? Are you nuts? lololol
The CZJ 180mm is a beast- and all that glass is so pretty. I have one, still need to get some prints / scans off it. Sadly, I've been busy lately. I have the Flekto 50mm as well. Don't discount the 30mm as too wierd. It can focus incredibly close, and you can get some wonderful results at close range.
Yeah. I like that 30mm too. I made a few video as about its close up possibilities. Here is one pic: instagram.com/p/CQBaeDhnERV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
thats cool lens , i would love to have one adapted to my 203 FE or Pentax 67
It may be doable?
Very interesting video. I have the zebra Jena 180 f2.8 but unfortunately the aperture is stuck at 2.8. I had it repaired & was cautioned by the repairman that the lens was very used & he didn't know how long it would work. Well it didn't work for long. Anyway I use it at 2.8 with my Arax 66, which can be a challenge, & will try it on my Pentax 645n soon to see the results with that camera.
It's an unfortunate situation with you Zebra. It's always with this vintage gear: it't not so much the brand and the name but more about the overall condition of the unit. But hey, even with just 2.8 it is an interesting lens! All the last four pictures were 2.8:s: .
Have a good day, Ari.
You, too 🙂
The bokeh of the 180mm looks so smooth. I guess it was tiring to carry that around. How do you even handhold it??! 😂
Sorry I do not recognise the tune. Which tune is that?
It is heavy. I need a back bag to carry it. And strong hands :-). That was my rendition of the East Germany national anthem 😂
That was very interesting Ari. Especially love your ‘bokeh’ pictures.
Thanks, thanks. Yeah, the bokeh is like thick cream.
The original Sonnars are very rare and expensive! The Nikkor 105mm f2,5 is a Sonnar. It is available for the RF models S and original Nikon-F. It was made sharper and more contrasty than Zeiss.. Nikon improved it! The newer !05 is NOT a Sonnar. Never forget that it was a Portrait lens. Not sharp at full aperture or f4. The Hasselblad 150 share same characteristics. Costs way less! Enjoy.
:-)
The soviets did not steal anything, they acquired the Zeiss factory and its equipment as a compensation for war damages. At the time Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, it had been occupied by the germans and then liberated by the red army, so they built the new factory in Ukraine as a mean of restoration.
(...today things are quite different)
so are DDR lenses not as "good" as non DDR labled lenses? Or were the NON DDR lenses just manufactured in W. Germany?
I have no strong opinion. At this age and time, I think it is more important to look at the condition of a particular lens rather than where they are manufactured here or there. But, I believe the DDR lenses were as good as Western lenses, at least all the way to the 70s. Then, socialism started to kick in. It is an interesting and sad story of those eastern block economies. Let's take cars as examples: the laughable Trabant was actually pretty advanced when introduced in the 50's. A modern front-wheel drive car with independent suspicion all over and "plastic body" only a few years after Corvette! But then, they kept on building the exact same car for 35 years with practically no development!
@@ShootOnFilm Yea I think you're righjt. Its just such an intersting story. Thanks
(10: 17) Not under Soviet occupation, part of the Soviet Union (Ukraine) :) Not that I approve .. But you corrected yourself later.
reading the history of the Ukrainian and Baltic independence before Soviet occupation and then the actual occupation… it was an occupation. Not a voluntary act. Several millions died because of it. Very similar that was tried upon Finland. But unsuccessfully. Here is something interesting: ua-cam.com/video/zVcKj5B9nz8/v-deo.html. Unfortunately the false narrative told in Soviet and now in Russia is partially the reason of current brutal Russian aggression.
@@ShootOnFilm Look, I am 3/4 Ukrainian, and 25 percent Balt. I'd been living for 30 years in the Soviet Union with many many Ukrainians in everyday life. You know of course that the Kievan Rus was the beginning of Russia. You know of course that the territory was occupied for 300 hundred years by Poland and Lithuania as a remedy to Mongol invasion. Yet, however artificially this parts of eastern Slavs were separated from each other historically, I totally agree with the Kievans to cling to the West! There was Great Russia, on the model of Magna Graecia, that were the colonies of "small Greece" , which was " the mother land". Ukraine etymologically means " outskirts " of the Greater empire. Despite all this, and despite all the propagandist bs which is spouting from all sources, I support Zelensky and independence of the country because the alternative is to succumb to the inhuman ruler. I was just picking on the anachronistic, however true saying of yours :)
@@genegoranov5865 Well said. And, you of course have seen and see things much closer than I do.
I always thought the history part was a bit different. The Sonars were made in Dresden where the Contax II was made. That factory was brought completely to Kiev where the USSR started producing the Kiev camera's like the Kiev 4 (you need to have one😊) with German Engineers and Machines. On the other side at Jena where indeed the Us had several engineers go to the west to start a new Zeiss company at Oberkochen, the USSR took the Biotar blueprint with them and based on that they started producing the Kiev44 at KMZ, MM Valdai and Vileyka the first was named BTK 1,2 f5,8 cm wich stands for BioTar Krasnogorsky that became the 13 blade Helios 44