This page presents optics that are test samples, prototypes, pre-production models, name variants, one-off pieces or modifications.

Contents:

1. Name variants
2. Rare special lenses
3. Prototypes and pre-production models
4. Test samples / sample lenses
5. Promotional lenses
6. Other special lenses

1. Name variants

For various reasons, numerous different names exist for well-known East German lenses. In the case of Carl Zeiss Jena lenses, legal disputes over trademark rights were usually the cause of renamings such as B (Biotar), Otar (Biotar), T (Tessar), Bm (Biometar), Ernst Abbe Jena, aus Jena, CZ Jena, and similar variations. Lenses from the Feinoptisches Werk Görlitz (Meyer-Optik) were also renamed, but here the reasons were mostly sales tactics.

E. Ludwig Victar 1:2.9 F=5cm - This lens from the late 1940s also existed as a very rare variant, the Practicar 1:2.9 f=50mm, for export to the USA. While Victar lenses are known as M40x1, and less frequently as M42x1 or Exakta lenses, the Practicar appears to exist only as an M42x1 variant.

Ernst Abbe Jena T 1:2.8/50 , variant of the Tessar 2.8/50

Another Pentaconar, more precisely a Pentaconar auto 1.8/50 (Exakta RTL 1000) #4943273, is now known.

Pentaconar car 2.8/100 (M42x1) #4928046

Pentaconar auto 1.8/50 (M42x1) #4207831; what's striking about this lens is that a late design version was given a relatively early serial number. However, since the lens comes from the archives of the Görlitz Fine Optics Works, it's more likely to be a factory prototype than a cobbled-together modification.

Pentaconar serial number ranges: These very rare optics consistently appear within specific serial number ranges. Currently, all optics are limited to the following serial numbers: 420783X (likely a sample), 49280XX, 49314XX, 4943XXX.

Pentaconar models: The following models are currently documented: Pentaconar electric 2.8/29; Pentaconar auto 1.8/50; Pentaconar electric 1.8/50; Pentaconar electric 1.8/50; Pentaconar auto 2.8/100

2. rare special optics

Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1:1.5 f=75 (Measuring optics without meter markings)
This optics, without meter markings and without an aperture, is the only example of this design ever manufactured by Carl Zeiss Jena. It is likely a measuring optics.

Carl Zeiss Jena UV-Objektiv 4/60
Eines der seltenen Jenaer Objektive ist zweifellos das UV-Objektiv 4/60. Dieser Dreilinser mit Blendenvorwahl (4-5,6-8-11-16-22) wurde Ende der 1950er und Anfang der 1960er Jahre in mehreren sehr kleinen Chargen gefertigt und diente der wissenschaftlichen Fotografie im unsichtbaren ultravioletten Wellenbereich bis 300 nm (1 nm = 1 Nanometer = 1/1 000 000 mm). Laut Prospekt waren folgende Anschlüsse vorgesehen: Exakta, M42x1 und Praktina. Derzeit sind folgende Nummernkreise dieses Spezialobjektivs bekannt: 4 665 xxx; 6 019 xxx; 6 389 xxx und 7 289 xxx (siehe auch Tabelle unten)
UV-Objektive werden meist aus Quarz hergestellt, um eine optimale Durchlässigkeit im gewünschten Nanometer-Bereich zu erreichen. Bei dieser Optik konnte jedoch auf die Verwendung von Quarz verzichtet werden, da die drei einzeln stehenden Linsen aus Spezialgläsern bestehen, die für kurzwelliges Licht gut durchlässig sind. Zu Gunsten dieser Durchlässigkeit wurde das Objektiv nicht chromatisch korrigiert, daher ist es nur für monochromatisches Licht verwendbar (keine Fluoreszenzaufnahmen).
Die für Arbeiten im UV-Bereich notwendige Auszugsverkürzung wurde bei dieser Optik bereits berücksichtigt. Das bedeutet, dass eine Scharfstellung nicht nach der Mattscheibe der Kamera erfolgt, sondern der zuvor gemessene Aufnahmeabstand direkt an der korrigierten Entfernungsskala eingestellt werden muss. Die kürzeste Aufnahmeentfernung liegt bei knapp 0,5 m (1,65 feet).
Für reine Aufnahmen im ultravioletten Wellenbereich wird noch ein zusätzlicher UV-Durchlass-Schwarzfilter UG 2 benötigt, der den Anteil des sichtbaren Lichts nahezu ausschaltet, jedoch damit auch zu hohen Verlängerungsfaktoren bei der Belichtung führt.
Diese seltenen UV-Optiken erzielen, wenn sie überhaupt einmal in einer Online-Auktion angeboten werden, meist 3-4-stellige Preise.

UV lens 4/60 (Exakta) #6019682

3. Prototypes and pre-production models

The E. Ludwig Meritar 2.9/50 with recessed mount (Exakta normal aperture) for use on bellows-equipped cameras is a prototype for Ihagee model making. Unlike the standard Tessar, the Meritar has an unmarked meter setting.

Comparison of Tessar #9720340 (left) and Meritar #812897 (right) with recessed mount

Meyer Oreston 1.8/50 (Exakta Automatic) #3393228; The mount is comparable to the RTL1000 mount, but the automatic exposure pin is located at the 1-2 o'clock position. Additionally, it features a side-mounted, lockable aperture release with a cable release socket (for switching the aperture or controlling the depth of field). Series production never began, as the corresponding camera never progressed beyond the prototype stage.

Pentacon electric 4/200 (M42 electric) #0000045 pre-production model

Pentacon Prakticar 4/200 (Praktica B) #2000006 Pre-production model 1982; No series production took place here, fewer than 10 lenses are currently known.

M42-Meyer-Optik 2.8/28 (M42 Automatic) #1400065 and #1400970, manufactured in 1991, this lens in Praktica-B design exists only in a small number (pre-series?) with M42 connection

M42-Meyer lens 1.8/50 (M42 automatic) #10034XX, manufactured in 1991, this lens in Praktica-B design also only exists in a small number (pre-series?) with M42 mount.

3. Test samples / Sample lenses

Unlike the experimental lenses shown below, these two Meyer experiments, 2.8/28 and 2.8/30, do not yet have the standard lens housing. Here, turned aluminum parts were fitted with the planned lens combination, and the focusing ring was omitted. The experiments served to test the lens combination at infinity focus.

Meyer Primotar 2.8/50 (Exakta) test sample 00 004 504 A

Pentacon auto 2.8/50 (M42 Automatic) #7223044, this is the sample or photo model of a Domiplan variant, the front lettering including the number 0000000 is simply glued on.

4. Advertising optics

Meyer-Optik Görlitz advertising optics 1896-1966 ?70 Years of German Quality Workmanship?

Advertising optics 40 years VEB FOG (Fine Optics Factory Görlitz)

4. other special lenses

Unusual version of a Biotar 1:2 f=5.8cm ( Exakta) #3340073 with preset aperture

Flektogon 4/25 (M42 manual) #6088090; Special features of this M42 lens are the missing automatic plunger (i.e. only click-stop aperture) and the X engraving above the meter/feet scale; its intended use is unknown.

Selected PhotoDeal articles relating to the Dresden photo industry have been compiled here .

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