Old Glass, New Vision: Adventures with a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2

I recently ran across a Facebook Marketplace listing for 1950’s Exakta VXIIa, which is a classic East German 35mm SLR (single-lens reflex camera). The silver body with black leatherette was in good condition, and more importantly, it had the highly regarded Carl Zeiss Jena 58mm f/2 lens mounted on it; a lens I’ve lusted after for years.

It was a 3 hour drive from Little Rock to meet the seller, but after checking the lens had no haze or fungus issues, I knew it had been worth the trip. These old manual lenses are known for their unique rendering characteristics that combine center sharpness with creamy bokeh. They often deliver a distinctive look that’s difficult to replicate with modern lenses.

A 1950s-60s era Exakta VX IIa paired with a Carl Zeiss Jena 58mm F2 lens

My Sony A7III is a great pairing with this lens - the full-frame sensor gives me the full field of view as it would have had on the original Exakta film camera, and the mirrorless design makes adapting these vintage lenses straightforward. For my initial outing I decided to find some spring flowers. I hoped some close-up botanical photography would be the ticket for really showcasing the strengths of this vintage lens and I was not wrong. The color rendering is unique with a subtile, almost painterly quality against the various shades of green.

The center flower is rendered with nice sharpness and delicate detail, while the background has melted away into those soft, creamy bokeh areas. The way the lens handles the transition between sharp and out-of-focus areas has a very pleasing, organic quality that's different from modern lenses.

I’ve not tried to shoot a portrait with this lens but have no doubt I’ll be pleased with the results. The 58mm focal length is just slightly longer than the standard 50 mm, which I expect will be more flattering for facial features.

Straight out of camera - Flowering Quince captured on a Sony A7III & Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 57mm

Black and White Lucie Cherry blossom photographed on a Sony A7III and Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2

I wanted to shoot something totally different from the delicate flowers I’d originally been photographing, so decided upon some automotive photography after spotting this striking custom Toyota Supra with its yellow and gray/black racing design. I like how the lens captures the car's aggressive lines and aerodynamic elements with good sharpness while still maintaining that distinctive vintage lens character. The vented hood, and wide body kit details are all crisp, showing that this lens can handle technical subjects as well as artistic ones. I also like how the yellow really pops against the darker tone elements of the car.

Custom Toyota Supra shot with an A7III and Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2 lens.

Custom Toyota Supra shot with an A7III and Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2 lens. From soft florals to sharp automotive photography, really demonstrates the versatility of this vintage glass.

I had to try another aspect of this lens - how it handles low light. While I was shooting the car, the owner stepped out of his shop, Churchill’s Fine Cigars located in Hot Springs, AR, and invited me to take a tour. As a cigar fan, it was an offer I was happy to accept. The cigar shop has a rich, warm ambience that the Carl Zeiss Jena captured beautifully. What's immediately noticeable is the lens's rendering of the warm lighting against the dark surroundings. The golden glow from the lamps creates a cozy atmosphere, and the lens seems to handle this high-contrast scenario well. The warm tones of the lampshades and wooden elements are rendered with that classic vintage character - slightly soft but with a pleasing glow that modern lenses often try to replicate.

The green leather chairs stand out nicely against the darker background, and you can see the subtle texture of the leather. The composition, with the circular arrangement of furniture and the table at center, creates an inviting scene.

This is quite different from both the delicate flowers and the bright, technical car photo - demonstrating the lens's versatility across various lighting scenarios. Vintage lenses like this often have a distinctive way of handling these moody, atmospheric settings that can give images a timeless quality.

Churchill’s Fine Cigars and Gifts photographed with an A7III and Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2

Exquisito Hand Made Cigar photographed with Sony A7III and Card Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2

I’m excited to have been able to adapt this vintage lens to my modern Sony mirrorless camera. Many photographers, me included, appreciate these old manual lenses for their unique rendering characteristics (the combination of center sharpness with creamy bokeh). I'm impressed by its performance in the range of scenarios I tested - from bright outdoor florals to a custom car to a moody interior. The 58mm focal length seems versatile enough for these different subjects while maintaining that distinctive character throughout.

If you’ve made it this far, I’ll leave you with a final shot of my rig. The Carl Zeiss Jena 58mm F2.0 has two screw in front name rings. It seems there was a dispute over the name following WWII and the Carl Zeiss name was claimed by the West German manufacturing plant with the East German Plant taking the name Jena. On my copy of the lens, the top name plate says Jena but I managed to unscrew it to reveal the name “Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar”. No the serial numbers on the rings don’t match, but I understand is normal for this lens.

The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm F2 - showing both name plates.