Zunow 50mm f1.1, late model with Zunow Opt. branding. Serial number in the 6000 range. Black/chrome finish. Weight is 390g.
The Zunow 50mm f1.1 comes in various versions, starting from the early Ping-Pong Ball design to numerous variations in appearance and element design. This particular lens is likely one of the models just before the final all-black version.
Compared to the early Ping-Pong Ball version, which produces significant flare at wide apertures, this model has improved optical performance due to the adoption of new glass types and modifications to the lens design.
While it still exhibits some mild flare at full aperture, it provides excellent resolution and a unique, atmospheric image.
This lens offers good performance even at full aperture. It comes with a rare aluminum front cap, making it a unique find.
This lens is a product we’ve previously sold. It was well cared for by its owner and has returned to our store. Welcome back! This is its third sale.
The appearance shows typical signs of use, including some wear on the black paint and minor scratches, but it has been lovingly used by our customers and has a dignified presence. There are no dings or dents.
A full overhaul was performed in 2017, and the lens underwent another full overhaul in 2024 in preparation for this resale.
The careful servicing has resulted in very smooth operation of all parts. The glass shows very shallow cleaning marks and some balsam separation around the middle element, but these are unlikely to affect actual image quality. The coatings on all surfaces are well-preserved, and the glass is clear with no haze.
The test shots were also very good. Although they are from the previous sale, we have included sample images in the gallery. The second image of sunflowers was taken at f1.4, while the others were all taken at the wide-open f1.1 aperture. We hope you find them interesting.
