174 - Carl Zeiss Jena | 4/500mm Catadioptric Lens

Carl Zeiss Jena | 4/500mm Catadioptric Lens Estimate: €1,600–2,000 Year: c.1962 Serial No.: 6360447 Condition: A/B English: Rare 500mm f/4 catadioptric telephoto lens by Carl Zeiss Jena, featuring the later gray-green finish. Developed during the 1950s, the Spiegelobjektiv 4/500 was one of the most ambitious long-focus lenses produced by Carl Zeiss Jena. Its combination of a 500mm focal length and exceptional f/4 speed was remarkable for a mirror lens of that era. The lens has a fixed aperture of f/4 and incorporates a revolving filter system, an important feature of the design since conventional diaphragm control is not possible with this type of mirror construction. The Spiegelobjektiv was available with interchangeable camera mounts and was intended for demanding applications, including sports, wildlife, press, and long-distance photography. Production of the Spiegelobjektiv 4/500 was extremely limited. Surviving Carl Zeiss Jena production records for this model are incomplete and document only small, individual batches. With its enormous front element, unusual optical construction, and exceptional f/4 speed, the Spiegelobjektiv 4/500 ranks among the most spectacular and technically remarkable lenses produced by Carl Zeiss Jena during the postwar period. For M42 screw mount, in very fine condition, very clean lenses, with 4 integrated color filters, hood, and rear cap. German: Rare 4/500mm Spiegel telephoto lens by Carl Zeiss Jena in the later gray-green version. Developed in the 1950s, this mirror lens was one of Carl Zeiss Jena’s most ambitious long-focal-length designs. The combination of a 500mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/4—which was exceptional for a mirror lens at the time—was remarkable. The lens features a fixed f/4 aperture and a rotating filter system—an essential design feature, as normal aperture adjustment is not possible with this type of construction. It was offered with various camera mounts for demanding applications in sports, wildlife, press, and long-distance photography. Production remained very limited. The surviving production records from Carl Zeiss Jena are incomplete and document only small, individual production batches. With its massive front element, unusual optical design, and f/4 maximum aperture, this reflex lens ranks among the most spectacular and technically remarkable Zeiss Jena lenses of the postwar era. Features an M42 screw mount in very good condition, clean lenses, four built-in color filters, a lens hood, and a rear cap.