Carl Zeiss Jena Olympic Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 Lens Review

The legendary 'Olympic' Sonnar designed for Olympics game in 1936 Berlin.In shortly OUTSTANDING quality.

 

Lens

Carl Zeiss Jena Olympic Sonnar 180mm f/2.8
Related resources:

Gallery

Pbase.com (Hqdesign)

Pbase.com(Yu-Li-Chan)

Veijo Vilva

http://www.praktica-users.org

Fact Sheet

Vendor name Type Product year
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar "Olympic"
 1936-1951
Focal Min(mm) Focal Max(mm) Focus Min(cm)
180
 180
Aperture Max Aperture Min. Barrel length(mm)
2.8 22
Elements In Group Diaphragm action Weight (g)
5 in 4 groups pre-set
 1365
Filter Size (mm) Push on diameter (mm) Angular field
86

Gallery

Full Size Images

User Comments

I  have the late MC version of the 2.8/180mm CZJ Sonnar. It is a wonderful lens. Great for portraits. I have an adapter to use it on a m42 35mm camera. I use it on my 35mm camera for sports. It is one of the sharpest lenses I own. The results are very fine.


I recommend the lens and give it five stars.

Dale

The lens I have is the very latest model of the CJZ 180 sonnar: all black MC with the switch on back. It is in immaculate condition.

Simply put, it is one of the finest lenses I have ever owned. It is mechanically excellent, and images from it are beautiful. The price is incredibly low. The bokeh is beautiful, the image is very sharp, and the lens is fast. What more could you ask for? Perhaps a little less weight, but you can't have everything.

Arvin

I've got to jump in and join those who are gushing about their Sonnars! I've been using my zebra sonnar to shoot mostly glamor and fashion photos of my favorite model (my wife), in various locales.

When the camera is held steady, the images are as sharp as I've seen anywhere. The bokeh is very pleasing as well. The downside is, of course the weight of the lens, but I think that if I could only bring two lenses for my K60 or K88cm, I'd bring the 80mm Arsat and the 180 Sonar.

Great lens!!!!!

Guy Clark

I STILL HAVE TO FIND A LENS THAT WILL SURPASS THE QUALITY OF IMAGES PRODUCED WITH MC Sonnar 180/2.8 LENS IN any MF SYSTEM.

Best regards to Rick and all former and future voters/users of Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f2.8 MC!

-Dr. Adam R. Bujak

I have two pieces Olympic Sonnar both are produce OUTSTANDING quality pictures, I love them very much works so perfect on Nikon D50 body. Not too heavy, but sure need to keep the lens in hand. Generally any Sonnar variant get very positive feedback from users.

Tags:
 
Comments (2)
Sonnar 180/2.8 with M42 and Nikon adapters
2Friday, 09 April 2010 01:38
Just got one of these legendary lenses. It has a M42 adapter on it for Practica. I'm having hard time replacing that adapter with the Nikon one, not really sure if I'm doing it right. Sure, the lens has never been used without the adapter for the last maybe 25-30 years. It has a small screw on the adapter ring right beneath the aperture reset button and nothing else in sigth to prevent removing it. Don't want to ruin the lens by forcing the adapter out.

Any idea how to do this correct?
Adapter removal
Friday, 09 April 2010 11:24
It is a Pentacon Six adapter need to rotate about 1 cm an pull out. I don't remember for direction.
180 sonnar
1Thursday, 04 February 2010 13:53
i have an old lens from my dad late 50's and us it for sports photos (football/basketball) love it both on film and on DSLR. i keep it in my bag at least 75% of the time. on draw back is it weight.

Add your comment

Your name:
Subject:
Comment:
yvComment v.1.25.3