| Captain Jack's Rollei SL35 Lens Page |
With the introduction of the Rollei SL35 in 1970, lenses for it were supplied by Carl Zeiss and Schneider Kreuznach and later by Rollei themselves, under license from Zeiss and by several Japanese makers. The most desirable of these lenses are the ones made by Carl Zeiss in West Germany. They are in substantial demand at all times by collectors and users alike.
On this web page, I will show photographs and discuss many of the Carl Zeiss lenses made that I have in my collection. It should be noted that there are at least two and often as many as four variations of most of the Zeiss lenses shown. Most of my lenses are of earlier vintage, corresponding with the Rollei SL35 series of cameras. All are exceptional performers, whether single coated or HFT (multi-) coated. I will start with the ultra-wide lenses and progress to the telephotos. Be advised that not all of the lenses available for the Rollei SL35 cameras are shown, only those in my collection.
Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses
In the ultra-wide lens category, lenses in focal lengths from 15mm to 25mm were produced for the Rollei SL35 by Carl Zeiss using lens formulas developed for the legendary Zeiss Ikon Contarex.
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Carl Zeiss 15mm f3.5 Auto HFT Distagon The widest (and rarest) , non-fisheye, lens produced for the Rollei SL series of cameras was the impressive (and very expensive) 15mm f3.5 Auto Distagon HFT (979 720). With a 110 degree field of view, and 13 elements in 12 groups, the 15 Distagon is one of the widest angle lenses ever produced for the 35mm format. It has f/stops from f/3.5 down to f/22 and possesses incredible depth of field. Built-in filters are included. |
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Carl Zeiss 16mm f2.8 HFT F-Distagon (fisheye) This full frame fisheye lens (969 770) has f/stops from f/2.8 down to f/22 and is composed of 8 elements in 7 groups. It focuses as close as 12" and like the 15mm, has built-in filters. All 16mm F-Distagons were made by Carl Zeiss in Germany and are HFT coated. |
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Carl Zeiss 18mm f4.0 Auto HFT Distagon The 18mm f4.0 Auto Distagon (969 080) is one of my favorite Rollei SL lenses. It has 10 elements in 9 groups and covers a field of view of 100 degrees. An interesting feature is that it doesn't have threads for securing a filter. Instead, a clamp-on filter (I use one from the Contax RTS) must be utilized. F/stop range is from f/4 down to f/22. |
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Carl Zeiss 25mm f2.8 Auto HFT Distagon The 25mm f2.8 Auto Distagon (969 010) is the most frequently encountered ultra-wide angle lens from Zeiss in Rollei mount. It has an 80 degree field of view and is composed of 8 lens elements in 7 groups. F/stop range is from f/4 down to f/22. It takes 49mm filters and focuses as close as 10". This lens can also be encountered wearing the Voigtländer name and called the Color-Skoparex. |
Wide Angle Lenses
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Carl Zeiss 28mm f2.0 Auto HFT Distagon The 28mm f2.0 Auto Distagon (969 470) was released by Rollei after the demise of the SL35 series of cameras. It is a very impressive, fast and sharp lens that can be used on all Rollei SL cameras. Seldom encountered on the used market these days, it generally commands substantial prices. |
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Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Auto Distagon The most frequently encountered wide angle lens for the Rollei SL35 series of cameras is the 35mm f2.8 Auto Distagon (979 570). It was manufactured in quite a few different variations. The one displayed here is the first single pin, West German model. Featuring 6 lens elements in 6 groups, this lens shows a 61 degree field. It has f/stops from f/2.8 down to f/22 and takes 49mm filters. It focuses as close as 0.4 meters. This lens can also be encountered wearing the Voigtländer name and called the Color-Skoparex. |
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Carl Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Auto HFT Distagon The high speed 35mm f1.4 Auto Distagon (969 090) is one impressive lens. With a 61 degree field of view, the 35/1.4 Distagon is a large heavy wide angle lens with f/stops from f/1.4 down to f/16. It has 9 elements in 8 groups and takes 67mm filters. One of the fastest 35mm lenses ever produced, it focuses as close as 12". |
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Schneider Kreuznach 35mm f2.8 Auto SL-Angulon Produced by Schneider but sold by Rollei, the 35/2.8 Auto SL-Angulon (979 640) was produced in lesser numbers than it's Carl Zeiss Distagon counterpart. It has 7 elements in 5 groups, f/stops from f2.8 down to f/16, a field of view of 61 degrees and takes 49mm filters. It focuses as close as 0.3 meters. |
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Schneider Kreuznach 35mm f2.8 Auto Curtagon Produced and sold by Schneider, the 35/2.8 Auto Curtagon was produced in very limited quantities in Rollei SL mount. Its' cosmetic appearance in substantially different from the 35/2.8 SL-Angulon, however, it appears that it might be the same lens internally. Rare! Lens is shown with its proper caps and original blue and silver Schneider box. |
Normal Lenses
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Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.8 Auto Planar The 50mm f1.8 Planar (969 100) is the most frequently encountered normal lens for the SL35 series of cameras. Manufactured in several different cosmetic and operational versions, it has 7 elements in 6 groups, a 45 degree field of view, has f/stops from f/1.8 down to f/16 and takes 49mm filters. The most desirable lenses in the group are those made in West Germany and labeled Carl Zeiss. Two different versions are shown in the photo. On the right is the Carl Zeiss made in Germany lens. One the left is the licensed by Zeiss, made in Singapore version (969 101). Lenses can also be encountered labeled Opton and Ifbagon. In addition, the 50 f1.8 Planar can also be found in M42 Mount. |
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Voigtländer 50mm f1.8 Auto Color-Ultron The Voigtländer 50mm f1.8 Color-Ultron is a Planar with the Voigtländer badge. Made in Singapore by Rollei, the Color-Ultron is most often found on the VSL3E cameras. |
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Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Auto HFT Planar In my opinion, the 50mm f1.4 HFT Auto Planar (969 110) is one of, if not the sharpest, normal lens ever manufactured for a SLR camera, Using this lens, I've taken Kodachrome transparencies from which 20x24" prints of amazing sharpness were made that people cannot believe weren't taken with a large format camera. This lens has 7 elements in 6 groups, has a 46 degree field of coverage and takes 49mm filters. F/stop range is from f/1.4 down to f/16. Two nice 50/1.4 Planars are displayed. |
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Schneider Kreuznach 50mm f1.8 Auto SL-Xenon Produced by Schneider but sold by Rollei, the 50/1.8 Auto SL-Xenon is the most commonly encountered Schneider lens for the Rollei SL35 cameras, however, it was produced in substantially fewer numbers than the most frequently found Carl Zeiss 50mm Planars. It has 6 lens elements in 4 groups, a 45 degree image field of view, f/stops from f1.8 down to f/16 and takes 49mm filters. |
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Schneider Kreuznach 50mm f1.9 Auto Xenon Produced by Schneider and sold by Schneider, the 50/1.9 Auto Xenon lens is seldom encountered as it was made in very limited quantities in Rollei SL35 mount. It's external appearance is quite different from the 50/1.8 Auto SL-Xenon sold by Rollei. The lens has f/stops from f/1.9 down to f/22 and focuses as close as 0.5 meters. |
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Voigtländer 55mm f1.4 Auto Color-Ultron AR The Voigtländer 55mm f1.4 was the optional high speed normal lens for the Voigtländer VSL cameras. The lens has f/stops from f/1.4 down to f/16 and focuses as close as 1.5 meters. |
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Rolleinar 55mm f1.4 Auto MC The 55/1.4 Auto Rolleinar (969 630) , was produced in Japan and served as an economical alternative to the 50/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar. The lens has f/stops from f/1.4 down to f/16 and focuses as close as 1.5 meters. It takes 49mm filters and is fully multicoated. |
Telephoto Lenses
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Carl Zeiss 85mm f2.8 Auto Sonnar The Carl Zeiss 85/2.8 Auto Sonnar (979 540) is another of the relatively easy to obtain SL35 lenses. Manufactured in several different versions, the lens covered a field of view of 29 degrees, had 4 elements in 4 groups and was not that much larger in size than the normal 50mm Zeiss optics. Manufactured by Carl Zeiss in West Germany, it was also manufactured by Rollei, under license from Zeiss in both Germany and Singapore. Naturally, the German lenses get the most attention from users and collectors. The 85/2.8 Sonnar had f/stops from f2.8 down to f/22, takes 49mm filters and focuses as close as 1 meter. It can also be found with the Voigtländer badge called the Color-Dynarex. |
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Carl Zeiss 85mm f1.4 Auto HFT Planar The 85mm f1.4 Distagon (969 120) is another one of the high speed optics manufactured by Carl Zeiss for the Rollei SL cameras. It has 6 elements in 5 groups, a field of view of 29 degrees and f/stops from f/1.4 down to f/16. It is a heavy lens, takes 67mm filters and focuses as close as 1 meter. An unusual design, the lens has a three bladed diaphragm |
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Carl Zeiss 135mm f4.0 Auto HFT Tele-Tessar The 135/4.0 Auto Tele-Tessar (969 000) is the slower of the two 135mm lenses produced by Carl Zeiss for the Rollei SL35 cameras. Consisting of 4 elements in 4 groups, the Tele-Tessar had f/stops from f/4 down to f/32, takes 49mm filters and covers an 18 degree field of view. It focuses as close as 1.6 meters. Manufactured in West Germany by Carl Zeiss, it was also produced by Rollei under license from Zeiss in both Germany and Singapore. The made by Carl Zeiss lenses in West Germany have the most collector and user appeal. |
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Voigtländer 135mm f4.0 Auto Color-Dynarex Manufactured by Rollei Singapore, the 135/4.0 Color-Dynarex is a Tele-Tessar with the Voigtländer name. It has f/stops from f/4 down to f/32 and focuses as close as 1.6 meters. |
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Carl Zeiss 135mm f2.8 Auto HFT Sonnar The 135/2.8 Auto HFT Sonnar (969 130) is the faster of the two 135mm lenses produced by Carl Zeiss for the Rollei SL35 cameras. Consisting of 4 elements in 4 groups, the Sonnar had f/stops from f/2.8 down to f/32, takes 55mm filters and covers an 18 degree field of view. It focuses from infinity down to just under 5.5 feet. Manufactured in West Germany by Carl Zeiss, it was also produced by Rollei under license from Zeiss in both Germany and Singapore. It can be also found under the Voigtländer badge and called the Color-Dynarex. The Carl Zeiss made, West German version displayed is one of the best 135mm focal length lenses ever produced in my opinion. |
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Schneider Kreuznach 135mm f3.5 Auto SL-Tele-Xenar Produced by Schneider but sold by Rollei, the 135/3.5 Auto SL-Tele-Xenar is one half stop slower than the 135/2.8 Sonnar and one half stop faster than the 135/4.0 Tele-Tessar. The SL-Tele-Xenar had 5 lens elements in 5 groups and f/stops from f/3.5 down to f/22. Manufactured in West Germany by Schneider Kreuznach, it was also produced by Rollei under license from Zeiss in Singapore. The 135/3.5 SL-Tele-Xenar takes 49mm filters and has a built-in extendable lens hood. |
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Carl Zeiss 200mm f4.0 Auto Tele-Tessar The 200mm Auto Tele-Tessar (969 050) was the longest, reasonably-priced telephoto manufactured by Carl Zeiss in Rollei SL35 mount. The lens has 6 elements in five groups, f/stops from f/4 down top f/32 and takes 67mm filters. It focuses as close as 8 feet. Manufactured in West Germany by Carl Zeiss, it was also produced by Rollei under license from Zeiss in both Germany and Singapore. It can be also found under the Voigtländer badge and called the Color-Dynarex. Naturally, the Zeiss manufactured, West German versions, such as the one I have displayed, are in highest demand on the used market. |
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Voigtländer 200mm f4.0 Auto Color-Dynarex The 200mm f4.0 Auto Color-Dynarex is a 200mm Tele-Tessar with the Voigtländer badge. Assembled in Singapore using German Zeiss glass, it is more uncommon than its' Carl Zeiss counterpart. It is displayed here with its' proper caps. |
In addition, Carl Zeiss also produced two mirror lenses (the ultra-expensive Mirotars) as well as a 1000mm f8.0 Tele-Tessar. Unfortunately, Zeiss never manufactured reasonably priced optics for the SL35 cameras longer than the 200mm Tele-Tessar.
Macro & Micro Lenses
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Carl Zeiss 60mm f2.8 Auto HFT Makro-Planar The Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar (969 480) was introduced by Rollei in 1983 after the demise of the Rollei SL35 line of cameras. It works properly on all of the earlier cameras. Featuring f/stops from f2.8 down to f/22, a field of view of 39 degrees and macro focusing capabilities down to 1:2 (1:1 with the supplied 30mm auto extension tube), this lens is a great performer. It has 6 lens elements in 4 groups and takes 55mm filters. Displayed with its' 30mm automatic extension tube, the 60mm f2.8 Makro-Planar is in great demand on the used market and fetches high prices. |
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Carl Zeiss 16-63mm Luminar Objectives Available through Rollei or directly from Carl Zeiss, 4 ultra-high quality Luminar lenses in focal lengths of 16mm, 25mm, 40mm and 63mm were produced. These lenses were designed for close-up photography at reproduction ratios of 1:1 and greater. Having a thread size (known as RMS Microscope Thread) of WO 8"x1/36", these Luminars are incredibly sharp, however, costly investments. I have the 25, 40 and 63mm versions in my collection and can attest to their quality. To use this mount, the Luminar objective is screwed into the Rollei Microscope Lens mount and then the rear of the mount is screwed into the Rollei Intermediate Adapter M42-1 for mounting on the Rollei Bellows or Extension Rings. |
Tele-Converter
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Rollei Tele Converter 2X The Rollei Tele Converter 2X is used between the camera body and the lens to double the focal length of the lens being used. It is primarily useful when used in conjunction with lenses of 50mm focal length and longer. The optical quality of this unit is much better than some of the aftermarket tele-converters that can be found. |
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