Zoomar 180mm f/1.3, 240mm f/1.2 and 250mm f/1.3

[996GT2]

And a 250mm f1.3 that sold on eBay for around $30k:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230461754352#ht_2064wt_939

These, along with a 180mm f/1.3, were some of the rarest photographic lenses ever produced. They cover up to 6x7 image circle, too. Quite impressive, especially considering they were designed in the 1960s and 70s.

Here's a picture of the 180mm f/1.3 on a Nikon F5. The camera is totally dwarfed in comparison:

 

[ElFenix]

that's ridiculously fast for a 35 mm lens, let alone a 6x7 lens. i wonder what sort of optical issues they have?

 

[996GT2]

that's ridiculously fast for a 35 mm lens, let alone a 6x7 lens. i wonder what sort of optical issues they have?

There's definitely some technological know-how behind these lenses. They were made by German lensmaker Kilfitt, which designed the first 35mm macro lens (40mm f/2.8 Kilar) and the first zoom lens (36-82mm f/2.8 Zoomar)

 

[BigSmooth]

Sweet. I am guessing these must be ridiculously heavy!

 

[Dubb]

can I put a TC on it?

 

[996GT2]

can I put a TC on it?

Yep. The 180mm takes a 1.4x to become a 252mm f/1.8, or a 2x to become a 360mm f/2.6.

 

[Munky]

Other than fitting these on spy planes in the 1960's, what kind of practical use is there for these lenses?

 

[Aharami]

Other than fitting these on spy planes in the 1960's, what kind of practical use is there for these lenses?

bragging rights

 

[alfa147x]

The Zoomatar 1.3 / 180mm is amongst the rarest photographic lenses and one of the fastsst 35 format lens longer than 100mm.

Production is unknown, its high price probably kept production well below 50.

Notice the large tripod mound and folding focusing handle Zoomar made a 2x converter called a "Double 35" which made the lens a 2.6 / 360mm, more than twice as fast as Nikon's closest comparable lens, the 2.0/200 Nikkor.

The 1.3/180 came complete in its own special case with a built in hood, front and rear lens cap.

Introduced 1970; price $2668 (1970)

http://www.kilfitt.org/Lenses/Zoomar_180.htm

 

[soydios]

i wonder what sort of optical issues they have?

well for starters the depth of field must be only an inch or two, and the coma must be absurd

 

[stylinthreads]

Hi, July 26, 2012

Does anyone know if Hasselblad or Killfit bought the Zoomar Company & continued to produce these lenses? I read that there were about 50 made of the Zoomar 180mm lenses so I'm guessing that they made even fewer of the 250mm lens. Does anybody know what size the lens connector is on the side where a camera would attach? I know its not a standard size. Was there a special camera made specifically for this lens that only fit this lens or was the lens made to fit any camera at the time with different size lens attachments?

I own a much rarer Zoomar Muenchen F/1.3 250mm Lens (Serial # NR. 291-0009) that I inherited from my grandfather. I'm assuming I have the ninth one ever made from the original Zoomar manufacturer but I'm not positive. The lens is missing the metallic ball that fits on the arm & there are a few cosmetic scratches on the body but not on the lens itself. The metallic ball looks like the same one that is on the Hasselblad 250mm lens so I'm hoping it can be replaced. My lens does not have the Zoomar red logo on the top of the body because I think they didn't have a logo yet when mine was made but I'm not certain. The lens says it was made in West Germany.

I want to find out more about it.

Here are the pics: http://imageshack.us/g/6/zz1g.jpg/

Please post any comments if you know more about this lens. Thanks, J