Biotar 75mm f1.5, post-war later version. Equipped with a preset aperture, and the barrel has become notably thicker. Coated. This particular unit has a serial number starting with 422xxxx, manufactured in 1954.
A high-speed, medium-telephoto lens produced by Carl Zeiss Jena, it features a 4-group, 6-element double Gauss design. Markings for both meters and feet. It has an aluminum barrel with a minimum focusing distance of 80cm and a 10-blade aperture.
The Biotar 75mm has been produced over many years, starting with the slimmer, uncoated brass barrel versions of the late 1930s, and this is likely the most common type seen today. In recent years, a reissue has also been released, maintaining its enduring popularity.
This renowned lens produces a sharp, high-resolution image with a smooth yet crisp center, along with swirling bokeh. With excellent color and a unique, three-dimensional feel, it’s well-suited for portrait photography and carries the distinctive charm of a vintage lens.
There are minor scuffs and slight corrosion, but this is a remarkably clean example for an aluminum-barrel Biotar. Fully overhauled in November 2024. The aperture and helicoid have been finely tuned for a smooth, richly dampened feel.
The glass is clear and free from haze, with no noticeable cleaning marks or fungus traces. It’s rare to find a Biotar with glass this pristine—an exceptional condition! Comes with the original front cap.
