Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens 2.8/50 mm Zebra M42 Screw mount [Rare First Version]

The Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 mm Zebra M42 is a masterful blend of mid-century industrial design and legendary optical pedigree. Featuring a striking black-and-chrome striped barrel, this "eagle-eye" lens is highly prized for its exceptional center sharpness, compact pancake profile, and distinct vintage colour rendering.

Key Lens Characteristics

1. The "Eagle-Eye" Sharpness: The classic 4-element, 3-group Tessar formula was nicknamed Adlerauge (Eagle's eye). While slightly softer wide-open, stopping this lens down to \(f/5.6 - f/11\) yields staggering center-to-edge sharpness and micro-contrast.
2. Distinctive Vintage Rendering: This first-generation zebra version often features a higher blade-count (such as 8 or 12) aperture. This creates smooth, pleasing, and more rounded bokeh compared to the harsh pentagon-shaped highlights of later 5-blade variants.
3. Mechanical Craftsmanship: The early run boasts incredible, heavy-duty metal construction with a long, buttery-smooth focus throw (often near \(270^{\circ }\)), making it an absolute joy for manual focus enthusiasts and videographers alike.
4. The "Zebra" Aesthetic: The alternating black and brushed-aluminum grip rings are iconic to 1960s camera design. Paired with its scarcity, this makes the lens an incredibly attractive display piece for a vintage collection.
5. Adaptability & Everyday Use: Because it utilizes the universal M42 screw mount, this lens can be mounted to nearly any modern mirrorless camera (like Sony, Canon, Fuji, or Lumix) using a simple, inexpensive adapter.

This lens is in excellent condition, with no fungus, haze or scratches. Comes with front and rear lens caps.