Carl Zeiss Jena's Tessar 50mm f/3.5 — a compact East German M42 four-element standard prime.
The Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/3.5 is an East German standard prime made in M42 mount, based on the classic four-element Tessar formula that Zeiss originated. It was a compact, affordable normal lens from the Jena works, one of many Tessar variants produced over decades of the design's history.
This is a manual-focus M42 screw-mount lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5, built on the four-element Tessar formula. Focus and aperture are set by hand on the barrel and it is a slim all-metal standard prime. Exact weight and filter figures are not asserted here beyond the verified focal length and aperture.
The 50mm standard view suits street, travel and general shooting, and the Tessar design gives sharp, contrasty results when stopped down a little, the hallmark of this long-lived formula. Its slow aperture and simple design make it a compact, dependable everyday lens with a classic rendering that pairs well with vintage bodies.
Used copies are affordable and common given the many Tessar variants. Inspect for haze, fungus and cleaning marks, confirm the aperture blades are clean and oil-free, and check the aperture-ring and focus feel. Verify the M42 mount before purchase for a screw-mount body. An M42 adapter makes it a slim, characterful standard on mirrorless.