A legendary lens, Sonnar 8.5cm f2 by Carl Zeiss Jena.
This example is from the Contax II/III era, manufactured in 1936 before the war.
Beautiful chrome barrel. Uncoated optics. Distance scale in feet. Filter size is 49mm.

The magnificent 3-group, 6-element Sonnar design delivers truly impressive rendering.
A superb example of pre-war Zeiss craftsmanship. The solid, reassuring weight of the barrel in the hand further reflects the excellence of its construction.

Long celebrated as a classic portrait lens, it is prized for its rich tonal gradation and its elegant ability to lift the subject gently into focus. While Sonnars of this era are often said to be somewhat vulnerable to backlight, this lens has exceptionally clean glass, allowing its distinctive rendering to be enjoyed in a wide range of situations.
A lens that rewards the photographer with the deep pleasure of mastering its character.

This is an item previously sold by our shop and carefully used by its owner, and it has now returned to us once again. Welcome back!

The condition remains unchanged from the time of the previous sale. There are a few extremely faint rub marks on the lens barrel, but overall it shows hardly any signs of use, and the chrome barrel is exceptionally beautiful for an 85mm Sonnar.

A full overhaul was carried out in 2023, and all controls operate smoothly and precisely.
The glass is clean and clear, with no noticeable cleaning marks or haze, allowing you to fully enjoy the classic rendering characteristic of the Sonnar 85mm.

The original aluminum front cap is a postwar example and shows considerable signs of use. The original rear cap is made of Bakelite, and a period-correct example is included.