Biogon 35mm f2.8, pre-war version, made by Carl Zeiss Jena. This is an extremely rare original Zeiss Leica screw mount version. While the Biogon with its protruding rear element is well-known for the Contax II/III models, a small number were also produced in Leica L mount. According to the Zeiss phone book, this lens was part of a batch shipped on March 18, 1943, as a Leica L mount version. It is not a Russian modification.
It features T-coating and is rangefinder coupled. The aluminum barrel weighs a very light 97g. Due to the protruding rear element, please handle with care. The distance scale is marked in meters. A rare item.
The aluminum barrel shows some corrosion and minor scuffing, but there are no noticeable scratches. For an all-aluminum lens, the exterior is in decent condition. It underwent a full overhaul in August 2024, and both the aperture and helicoid have been adjusted to provide a pleasant, balanced torque. The rangefinder coupling is also perfectly aligned.
There is minor coating deterioration and cleaning marks on the rear element, but the results from practical shooting tests were excellent. The lens still delivers high resolution in the center, and color rendering is also very good. Please take a look at the sample images, all of which were shot near wide open.
