m42 lens review: carl zeiss jena 135/3.5

This is a belated test. I was always occupied with something somehow. Sorry and on to the review.

This is a very nicely built lens. Covered rings and built-in sliding sunhood are plastic, lens barrel is metal.

In two copies I have tested the focus is a little tight. I have loosened my copy myself. Not too much of a hassle. Just some dozens of dust specks inside the lens :).

I find color, contrast and bokeh of the lens beautiful. It gives great bokeh in all conditions. Including stark highlights. Bokeh seems smoother even when put against 2.8 version of the lens. This version is also more close focusing with a minimum distance of 1 meters. Not as good as the stf lens but equal to minolta and it is more than enough with cropped sensor size.

Here are some samples. Shot in fine jpg mode, so there is some more detail to be found in this lens.:

Two frames are almost the same composition.


A 100% crop from the first one:


another bokeh test:


close focus example:


and some real life shots:










mostly at f:4 all shot this morning.

I like this lens a lot.

Wow, thanks for that.
I guess i'm one the hunt for one of these now.
Any idea of a resonable price?

Maffe wrote: I know of a 135/4 sonar, price asked 43€ Interested?

That's a great price i guess but i would rather have 3.5 MC version which is supposed to be the best one.
Anyway, thanks for the offer.

Edited by Kiklop - 29 March 2006 at 01:02

I would like to find one for myself.What do I need to use on the 5D?

Thanks for your review and sample shots.
Great lens, but also great photographer.

This CJZ 135/3.5 MC certainly looks good.
I have a Pentacon MC 135/2.8 not sure whether this lens is better or worse than the CJZ 135/3.5
I'll try to test it sometime.
eccl