Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50mm f4

A sparkling diamond from Carl Zeiss Jena - this is not only a beautiful looking lens, it also performs optically very well. This is the digital age, but if you give it a try on medium format slides you'll be rewarded with eye-opening results. It is compatible with Pentacon Six, Praktisix, Kiev 60, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645 and Contax 645 cameras using a single adapter ring easily available on Ebay. I did try to use it on a 35mm DSLR, but it's somewhat of a silly idea, as a lens as big and heavy as this doesn't give any extra performance. Some people use it on 35mm cameras with a tilt shift adapter, something I haven't tried yet although it sounds interesting. The lens is uncommon but not particularly rare. Mechanically it is very well built; excellent construction and top of the line optical performance. I have all the other versions of this lens, they are also excellent performers.

Lens

czj_flektogon_50mm_f4_mc_300pxjpg

Related resources:

ebay.com
ebay.co.uk
ebay.de
google.com
forum

Forum

www.pentaconsix.com

www.camerapedia.org

Fact Sheet

 

Vendor name Type Compatible camera systems
Carl Zeiss Jena
 Flektogon
  Pentacon Six,Kiev-60, Pentax 645, Contax 645
Focal Min(mm) Focal Max(mm) Focus Min(cm)
50
 50
 50
Aperture Max Aperture Min. Barrel length(mm)
4 22
Elements In Group Diaphragm action Weight (g)

auto|manual
Filter Size (mm) Push on diameter (mm) Angular field
86

Gallery

Full size images gallery

User Comments

Used on a K10D with an adapter ring, the lens, although quite heavy, balances well with the camera. Easy to focus, with typical Zeiss contrast and color rendering, not prone to flare even when shooting directly at light, and the distortion is very well corrected. 
A really fine piece of metal and glass to enjoy. 
Now, should really find a cheap T&S adapter for P/K ...
(indianadinos)

I agree with indianidos, although I use mine with the Nikon D700. Colours are nice, the center is sharp, but if you want to have a lense that is sharp into the corners at - let's say - f 4 or f 5.6 , you probably better look elsewhere.
(madamasu)

I used a multicoated 50/4 Flektogon extensively. Among all Zeiss lenses I used to own, the 50 was my favorite lens (well, followed closely by the Sonnar 180).A wonderful sharp lens, absolutely no flare, even when shooting straight into the light. Look for the MC version.
(Friedmann)

Tags:
 
Comments (4)
Puzzled
4Monday, 20 April 2015 02:27
Andrew Reid
I'm puzzled by this 'review'. You state its an eye opening lens for the digital age, but in the next sentence discourage any users from using it on a DSLR?
Huh??
Bronica
3Wednesday, 19 May 2010 11:47
There's a rare version of this lens in Bronica S mount, too.
I've seen it twice on eBay in about two years.
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektobon 50mm f4
2Saturday, 27 March 2010 11:30
It's an excellent lens and very wide for 6x6 (roughly equivalent to a 30mm lens on a 35mm camera). It is optimised for centre sharpness, where it is very, very sharp indeed even at f4. It has a rather swirly bokeh.
Using on 35mm w/ a Tilt/Shift adapter
1Tuesday, 16 February 2010 17:03
I agree with the review, that this is a gem of a lens, and currently available at very good prices! I use it both on MF and on a digital 35mm with a Tilt adapter, and it provides equal performance on both formats, but with very different uses. The available tilt or shift adapters (P6 to 35mm mounts) actually makes this one of the sharpest tilt or PCS lenses available in the "normal" focal length.

Add your comment

Your name:
Subject:
Comment:
yvComment v.1.25.3