Zeiss Tenax II 4.5/2.7cm Orthometar rare lens ca.1938
The Zeiss Tenax II 4.5/2.7cm Orthometar is a rare and highly sought-after wide-angle lens designed for the unique Tenax II system. This historic piece of optical engineering from approximately 1938 offers a specialized perspective for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage rangefinder photography. Our team has inspected this lens and verified its full functional status, ensuring that this classic optic is ready for its next chapter in your collection or creative workflow.
Condition
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Optical condition: | The optical elements are in fine, clean condition, showing only age-appropriate characteristics consistent with a lens of this era. |
| Glass: | The glass is clear and free of significant defects, providing high-quality imaging performance without functional impact. |
| Function: | The mechanical operation is fully functional, with the focus and aperture settings moving as intended for this vintage design. |
| Arsenal Check | B: Absolutely fully functional condition, good condition, signs of normal use. |
Arsenal Photo Condition Grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Brand New | With full warranty |
| A+ | Absolutely like new condition, absolutely without any signs of wear. |
| A | Like new condition, without signs of wear, no scratches. |
| AB | Near mint, very light signs of wear, absolutely fully functional good condition. |
| B | Absolutely fully functional condition, good condition, signs of normal use. |
| B- | Absolutely fully functional condition, good condition, with marks & scratches. |
| C | Signs of heavier use, with marks & scratches, sales without warranty. |
| D | Very bad condition, not examined, sales without warranty. |
Features of Zeiss Tenax II 4.5/2.7cm Orthometar rare lens ca.1938
This rare Orthometar lens represents a pinnacle of pre-war optical design. Its compact construction and unique focal length make it a prized possession for those documenting history through analog photography. The lens delivers distinct rendering that defines the charm of 1930s Zeiss optics, making it an excellent match for the Tenax II camera body.
Zeiss Tenax II 27mm f/4.5 Orthometar lens for Tenax II: delivers historical wide-angle rendering. Perfect for collectors and specialized analog street photography.
Contents of Zeiss Tenax II 4.5/2.7cm Orthometar rare lens ca.1938
Contents as pictured.
- Lens: Zeiss Tenax II 27mm f/4.5 Orthometar
Technical Data
- Lens type: Wide angle lens
- Serial number: 2360097
- Mount: Zeiss Tenax II mount
- Glass: The glass is in fine and clean condition.
- Focal length: 27mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4.5
- Rendering: The lens produces a classic, soft rendering typical of late 1930s wide-angle designs.
This lens is specifically designed for the Zeiss Tenax II system. It is a rare collector piece that requires the dedicated mount of the original camera.
*Technical specifications subject to change without notice.*
Arsenal Photo Service
Arsenal Photo (PhotoAlps GmbH) buys and sells used and collectible analog cameras, lenses, and photo accessories from Zell am See, Austria. We ship worldwide, with tax-free export available for buyers outside the EU. Questions about the item will be answered by the team via email. Purchase of collections, estates, and individual items is possible at any time. This rare item is carefully packed in protective packaging to ensure safe transit. We provide detailed tracking information for all international shipments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this lens compatible with modern digital cameras?
- No, this lens is designed exclusively for the vintage Zeiss Tenax II camera system and does not feature a standard mount for modern digital cameras.
- Does the lens show any signs of fungus or haze?
- The optics are in clean condition and free from fungus or haze that would impact image quality.
- What is the historical significance of the Orthometar design?
- The Orthometar is known for its high level of distortion correction for the time, representing significant innovation in wide-angle optical engineering from the 1930s.
- Are the focus and aperture rings smooth?
- Yes, both mechanical components are in full working condition and operate as expected for a lens of this age.
- Can I use this lens on other rangefinder cameras?
- Due to the unique mount requirements of the Tenax II system, this lens is not interchangeable with other rangefinder mounts like Leica M.
