CARL ZEISS JENA PRAKTICAR MC 35mm f2.4 (Flektogon Twin) Praktica PB mount Made in Germany
In partially working condition, erratic aperture blades response, service needed.
Please, examine very carefully all the aspects before committing to buy.
Clear optics, no signs of fungus.
Smooth (vintage smooth) focus.
Good, used cosmetic state.
The lens comes with:
Back and front caps.
Unedited samples shot on Canon 600D, hand held at ISO 100/200/400 (last three pics from tripod).
The Practicar line of lenses was specifically designed for VEB Pentacon made Praktica SLR cameras and this particular model based on Flektogon 35mm f2.4 MC was produced through the 80-ties by Carl Zeiss Jena. Number of online reviews points to the identical configuration of elements, so the only difference in practice is possibly the outer casing.
The lens performs great in photographic terms, has pleasant way of colour rendering and sun reflection handling.
It’s definitely designed as close focus type especially when you look at the focus ring marks.
Almost entire turn belongs to the distance between 22cm up to 3m and just a micro 5mm manoeuvre room left to infinity, so to have any decent results from faraway subjects the aperture has to be well stopped down (f8/f11 recommended).
The erratic aperture blades response is most likely due to the oil residue (see pic).
In other words to set the aperture as desired, one has to (almost every time) give a lively three, four turns to the aperture ring while observing the blades until fully locked on f22, from there any setting will be possible.
In worst scenario detaching the lens from the camera and playing with the lever (on the back of the lens) would be the only cure.
With a truck load of patience we could call it a working lens but it’s very obvious it needs a proper service.
This sale aim at a very confident “know how” buyer with relevant tools and experience.
There is nothing more sad than ending with a bunch of bits and pieces spread around the table and blank stare glued to some “easy” Youtube tutorial played already twenty times, “why me”?
Please, examine very carefully all the aspects before committing to buy.
Please mind, the above short review is subjective (I like to read online reviews too, but nothing is more accurate and unbiased than own test shots), based on my few year experience with vintage prime lenses and relate only to this particular lens, as quality may vary, tested on 18MP Canon 600D camera plus my personal skills as a photographer, the test samples are large JPEG (probably compressed by eBay automated system), you have a two weeks return option to try it yourself.
I do have a habit to test and look for any faults so they're exaggerated in the listing for you to avoid unnecessary disappointments, any relevant questions are also welcome.